Nature Art is one of our favorite preschool outdoor learning activities. Preschool STEAM Nature activities are full of engaging and hands on learning.

Outdoor Learning Activities

I am an avid outdoor enthusiasts…especially when it comes to using the great outdoors as our preschool classroom! There is a vast world of God’s creation that we’ve yet to explore and I love taking my preschooler outdoors to explore. We’ve made bird feeders, built a rain gauge, created leaf people, been on nature walks, outdoor scavenger hunts and more….yet this was probably one for the books when it comes to a nature activity. So much so we created a video (see below!) when we did it another time and she’s asked to do the nature activity multiple times…which we’ve done!

Exploration in learning is one of my favorite ways to engage and use hands on learning with preschoolers. Why re-create a wheel when it’s at our fingertips?! In this preschool nature learning activity we will talk about preschool science, preschool math and art. Combining these three will make a great Preschool STEAM Activity all around nature.

Items needed for Nature Outdoor Activity:

Empty Box
Washable Paint
Nature Items

Step by Step:

Nature Walk – take your preschooler on a nature walk and let them collect nature items.
Ask your preschooler Nature questions along the way to incorporate SCIENCE into this outdoor learning activity. (see below for questions you can ask)
Once your nature walk is complete pour washable paint (these are my favorite) into the box.
Use several different colors to create fun art for this Preschool STEAM activity.
Close the box well (or tape it if necessary)
The fun part- SHAKE!
Shake some more, shake it a lot, shake it well…create lots of great art!
Open the box! Now you’ll see the awesome nature art you’ve created.
Set each piece of nature on a piece of card stock paper to let the paint dry.

Science, Math and Art Questions to ask Preschoolers:

Simply ask them if they chose that piece of nature from a tree?
Is it a rock? Does it have a fossil on it?
Talk about the weather while on the nature walk.
Ask them where a piece of nature came from…i.e. a flower? tree? plant?
Have the preschooler count the nature objects.
Talk about the colors you’ve used to create the art.
Did any of the colors mix and create a new color?

What are the benefits of outdoor learning?

There are so many character traits you’ll teach your preschooler when you take them into the great outdoor classroom of nature. Consider you’ll be developing:

Self Awareness
Confidence
Self Esteem
Collaborative working
Communication Skills
Gross Motor development
Fine motor development
Lifelong love of the outdoors

Those are just to name a few of the benefits! Independent School Parent has a great read on the benefits that outdoor learning has for your child!

Why is Outdoor Education so Important?

Researchers contribute an increase in performance to increased relevance and hands on experience of learning outdoors. Outdoor learning will increase student’s physical, mental and social health. Outdoor learning and access to nature also decrease stress levels of students and teachers alike.

There are so many great outdoor nature learning activities and I was super inspired to create a bucket list when we went camping a few weeks ago. I knew that out on the campground we’d need some activities and fun nature activities to do. I have to say this was a hit along with our other ideas I’ll share below!

More Outdoor Learning Activities for Early Years – STEAM Nature Activities

Tree Bark Rubbing – A great activity for toddlers, yet can easily be adapted for ANY age. Tree Bark Rubbing is a great STEAM activity for toddlers and is one of the most fun outdoor activities for kids. Nature crafts for kids are fun when camping and exploring outdoors.

Painting with Nature Items – After your nature walk you’ll need paint, paper and a clothes pin – create nature paint brushes and let the preschoolers create their own art work!

Ultimate Guide to Rock Painting – A great nature activity to adapt to any age group you are working with! Gather rocks of all shapes and sizes…you’ll need paint brushes and paint – let the creativity juices flow!

There is a beautiful world to discover – what nature learning activities have you done? I’d love to hear and try them as well – drop a comment below!

We are a husband and wife team, pairing our strengths together to teach our preschooler in the most fun and engaging way we possibly can. The mister is a high school educator at Northlake Christian school in Covington Louisiana and over the Innovation Center, which is all things STEAM. I am a SAHM that blogs pretty much everything we do in our little paradise, from what we eat, to where we travel to how we teach our little one. We hope you are inspired to incorporate STEAM into learning with your children.