How to Start a Backyard Nature Journal

Learn how to observe, draw, and record the wonders of the natural world right in your own backyard. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Find your spot. Pick a quiet place in your yard where you can sit comfortably. It could be under a tree, on the porch, or near a garden bed.
2. Observe with your senses. Sit very still for three minutes. Listen for birds, look for insects crawling on leaves, and feel the texture of the grass or bark near you.
3. Record your findings. Write down the date and time at the top of your page. Draw a picture of something you see, like a flower or a beetle, and write down two things you notice about it, such as its color or how it moves.
4. Label your work. If you don't know the name of a plant or bug, give it a fun nickname for now. Ask a grown-up to help you look up the real names in a field guide or online later if you are curious.