How to Start Your Own Nature Journal

Learn how to observe and document the natural world by creating a personal nature journal. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your journal. Find a notebook you like. On the first page, write your name and the date you started. You might want to decorate the cover with stickers or drawings to make it your own.
2. Pick your observation spot. Choose a spot in your yard, a local park, or even just by a window. Sit quietly for five minutes and watch what is happening around you. Ask a grown-up to help you identify any plants or animals you see.
3. Record your findings. Draw a picture of what you see, or write down a few sentences about it. Include the date, the weather, and what time of day it is. You can use your ruler to measure how tall a plant is or how wide a leaf is.
4. Add special treasures. If you find a fallen leaf, a shed feather, or a smooth rock, you can tape it into your journal. Ask a grown-up for help if you are unsure if it is safe to touch an object you find.