Don’t let frigid temperatures keep you from getting outside and exploring nature!  With a simple plan and proper attire, a winter nature walk can become a highlight of your nature adventures.

Getting Started

1.  Weather: Pick a Sunny Day

A winter nature walk is much nicer on a sunny day with little to no wind.  Sometimes the weather is beyond our control, especially when making plans in advance with friends.  When possible, though, try to choose a sunny, wind-free day.  Spontaneity is an asset here!

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2. Consider the Time of Day

The time of day is especially important when dealing with small children.  Generally, mid-morning is best.  The sun is bright, energy is still high and no one should be hungry for lunch quite yet.

When possible, other times of the day can be fun for specific purposes.  A winter night walk would be fun, for example.

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3. Choose Appropriate Attire

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to keep everyone warm and dry on a winter nature walk.

I recommend the following gear for each member of your expedition:

• snow pants
• snow coat
• snow boots
• hat
• waterproof gloves / mittens
• scarf or neck and face protection
• sunglasses

And be sure to bring along tissues for drippy noses!

4. Keep It Short

Don’t push your luck!  Plan a realistic route and quit while you’re ahead…Especially if there are very little people in your group!

It’s much better to conduct a short, successful walk which everyone enjoys and remembers fondly, than to push through a long walk in which everyone is miserable. Believe me.

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5. Have a Flexible Plan

On one hand, I generally find it helpful to have a few things in mind when we set out on a nature walk.  This is very simple–In winter, I might watch for animal tracks, birds, winter trees, signs of wildlife, etc.

On the other hand, I don’t want to turn our nature walk into Lecture Time.  The goal is to get us outdoors where we can observe, experience and appreciate God’s creation.

When we do see something noteworthy, I try not to talk too much.  Children make their own connections, especially when we’ve been reading about winter and / or nature, for example.

I do like to take pictures in order to make identifications at home, or to show Daddy (or to post here on the blog!).  Stopping to take a picture often leads us to study something more closely and make a few observations.

In the absence of snow, my troops love to collect treasures.  Often it’s helpful to carry a bag / bucket /container with a handle for this purpose.

Animal Tracks

Check out our favorite resources for learning about animal tracks, as well as pictures of tracks from our own recent Winter Nature Walk: Exploring Nature with Kids: Winter Nature Walk {Animal Tracks}.

Happy trails!

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