Children and Nature

Children & Nature Network
The Children & Nature Network is leading a movement to connect all children, their families, and communities to nature through innovative ideas, evidence-based resources and tools, broad-based collaboration, and support of grassroots leadership.

National Wildlife Federation – Connecting Kids and Nature
An organization devoted to connecting children and youth with nature, inspiring children through Ranger Rick magazine and apps, working with educators to get kids learning outdoors and help them with lesson plans, and helping parents find new ways to engage their children outside. Also check out the Green STEM initiative and how to become an Eco-School – both are STEM focused.

Natural Wonders: A Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators
This guide (opens as a PDF) was written especially to help naturalists and environmental educators design developmentally appropriate programs and activities for pre-school children. Developmentally appropriate programs match the learning environment—the physical set-up, materials, schedule, curriculum, teaching methods, and so forth—to the developmental levels of children. (Read more about developmentally appropriate practice and why it’s important on page 2 of Natural Wonders.)

Nature Explore
A division of The Arbor Day Foundation working with advocates like you to transform children’s lives through research-based outdoor classroom design services, educator workshops, and natural products.

Nature Find
A searchable database for finding amazing nature places and events throughout the U.S.

Nature Works Everywhere
Nature Works Everywhere, from The Nature Conservancy, offers parents tools and tips like activity and nature finders, downloadable kits and guides, and information about the benefits of nature.

Sharing Nature Activities
Sample activities from Joseph Cornell’s book Sharing Nature with Children.