Create a Nature Journal & Explore These 6 SEQ Sensory Walks
Creating a nature journal with your child is a wonderful way to encourage curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
It's a simple yet meaningful activity that combines art, writing, and exploration, helping children develop observational skills while fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a nature journal with your child:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
The first step is gathering the materials you’ll need. A nature journal can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. You’ll need:
A blank notebook or sketchbook (unlined pages work best for both drawing and writing).
Pencils, colored pencils, or markers.
A small glue stick or double-sided tape (for adding collected items like leaves or petals).
Optional: A magnifying glass, watercolor paints, or pressed flowers.
Encourage your child to choose a notebook that they feel excited about. This will make the process feel special and personal to them.
Step 2: Go on a Nature Walk
Before you start journaling, take your child on a nature walk. Whether it’s a local park, the beach, or even your backyard, this is a time for them to explore and observe.
Encourage them to look closely at their surroundings—notice the different shapes, colors, and textures of leaves, flowers, rocks, and bugs. Ask them questions like, "What do you see?" "What sounds do you hear?" or "How does that leaf feel?"
If they find something particularly interesting, let them collect small items like leaves, petals, or stones (just be sure to follow any local guidelines about not disturbing wildlife). These items can later be glued or taped into their journal.
Creating a nature journal together is a great opportunity to go somewhere you’ve never been before.
Check out this list of 6 SEQ Sensory Walks to explore with your little Wildling:
Whipbird Walk, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens
This short circuit is designed for little legs with hidden art and information for curious young explorers. Only 200m long, the whipbird walk winds through forest, dotted with mosaics, carvings and sculpture creatures. Enjoy following the sensory prompts along the walk and soak up the smell of lemon myrtle.
Boronia Trail, Mooloolah River National Park
This trail in Sippy Downs takes you through tall scribbly gum Eucalyptus racemosa forest onto a small heath plain, across a creek crossing and onto the largest heath plain in the park. At just 2.4km one way, this is a particularly beautiful spot to explore in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
Heath Circuit, Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park
This walk is located in a small remnant of wallum heath, a plant community that was once common along the Sunshine Coast. Vividly coloured heath wildflowers reach their peak flowering time in late winter and spring months. On this short 1.4km return walk look for colourful honeyeaters and explore the park to enjoy views of the creek, lake and ocean beach.
Hovea Track, Mt Coot-tha Reserve
This short 300m circuit starts at JC Slaughter Falls Picnic Area at Mt Coot-tha and is a spot the whole family will enjoy (trail 57 on the map at the end of this guide). Named for the small shrub with blue to purple pea flowers, hovea acutifolia, this trail is in full bloom in Spring and also features soap trees and a native raspberry bush.
Jann McArthur Track, Sargent Reserve, Eatons Hill
This trail near Bunya Crossing Reserve has been replanted with native flora and offers a scenic walk along the creek. Become a birdwatcher and keep your eyes peeled for Superb Fairy Wrens. One day, our Brisbane Leader, Sara, even spotted a deer with beautiful antlers at this spot! This trail is also dog-friendly.
Kedron Brook Trail, Teralba Park
Looking for more excitement on your sensory walk? Grab your bike and check out this trail in Teralba Park. Stretching for almost 20kms from Nundah to Mitchelton, the trail lets you ride or walk past creeks, parks and picnic facilities. For a gentler journey, stroll through the Teralba Park section and let your senses come alive. But keep your wits about you in Magpie season, as some sections of the trail are home to roosting maggies!
Step 3: Start Journaling
Once you’re back home, it’s time to start journaling! Sit down with your child and their materials and reflect on your nature walk. Here are some ideas to get them started:
Draw what they saw: Encourage your child to draw pictures of the things they observed during their walk. They can sketch a tree, a flower, or even the patterns on a rock. If they collected items, they can glue these into the journal alongside their drawings.
Write about their experience: Depending on their age, your child can write about what they saw, heard, or felt. Younger children might describe the colors of the leaves or the sound of birds, while older children can write more detailed observations or even create short stories or poems inspired by nature.
Record the date and location: Help your child write down the date and location of their nature walk. This can turn their journal into a keepsake that tracks their adventures over time
Step 4: Make It a Regular Activity
The beauty of a nature journal is that it can be an ongoing project.
Plan regular nature walks and journaling sessions, whether it’s once a week or once a month.
Over time, your child will build a collection of memories, observations, and creative expressions that they can look back on.
Step 5: Reflect and Share
Encourage your child to reflect on their journal entries. Ask them what they learned, what surprised them, or what their favorite part of the experience was. This reflection helps deepen their understanding and appreciation of nature.
If they’re excited about their work, consider sharing their nature journal with family members or friends. It’s a great way for them to take pride in their observations and creative efforts.
The Benefits of Nature Journaling
Creating a nature journal isn’t just a fun activity—it also has numerous benefits for your child’s development.
It fosters mindfulness, as your child learns to slow down and pay attention to the world around them.
It enhances creativity, allowing them to express themselves through art and writing.
It also builds their observational skills, helping them become more aware of the details in their environment.
Moreover, nature journaling encourages a lifelong love of the outdoors.
As your child learns to appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature, they develop a deeper connection to the environment and a desire to protect it.
A nature journal is a beautiful way to combine learning, creativity, and outdoor exploration. It’s a project that can grow with your child, evolving as their interests and skills develop.
So grab a notebook, head outside, and start journaling together—you’ll be amazed at the discoveries you make along the way!
Here are other ways we can help get your kids outside:
Make the Most of School Holidays: Book Your Spot in Our Adventure-Packed Holiday Program Today!
Celebrate in the Wild: Reserve Your Child's Unforgettable Birthday Party with Us!
Bring the Classroom Outdoors: Schedule an Inspiring School Excursion or Incursion with Wildlings Forest School!
Written by Ellen Nesbitt. Ellen is a nature play advocate and creative writer with a passion for helping families connect with the outdoors. She is dedicated to exploring ways to nurture children's creativity, independence, wellbeing and love for nature.