Fun and educational activities for children in nature: Make your own nature puzzle
There is nothing better than taking the children out into nature. Nature is the perfect place to create memories, gain new impressions, and enjoy quality time as a family. At the same time, it is a treasure trove of opportunities for fun activities for children that both stimulate the senses and spark curiosity.
In a time when many children spend a lot of time in front of screens, a trip to the forest or park can become an educational experience for children, giving them the opportunity to touch, feel, discover, and understand the world they live in.
Here is an idea for a children's activity in nature that is fun, creative, and easy to do: a nature puzzle made from leaves, branches, stones, and other treasures from the forest floor. It is a perfect activity for a family outing, scout trip, camp school, or just a cozy Sunday outdoors.
Puzzle: An activity with play, learning, and outdoor life
This activity is both fun and educational, and at the same time requires neither expensive equipment nor preparation. You just need:
Cardboard or cardboard boxes
A marker or pen
Materials from nature: leaves, bark, small branches, stones, etc.
How to make your own nature puzzle
1: Find materials in nature
Start with a trip to the forest, park, garden, or another green area. Here, the children should find different things that catch their attention – for example, leaves in various shapes, pieces of bark, small branches, stones, or cones. The more variety, the more fun the puzzle will be.
It is a fantastic opportunity to talk about the things you find.
– What is the difference between a beech leaf and an oak leaf?
– Which tree does the bark come from?
– What do the animals in the forest use these things for?
2: Draw outlines on cardboard
Once you have gathered your natural materials, lay them out on a piece of cardboard. Use a marker to draw around each item so that a clear shape appears. Preferably use sturdy cardboard from a box, so it is easy to work with.
When you remove the materials again, you are left with a kind of "empty puzzle board," where the shapes are waiting to be matched again.
Make sure the shapes are easy enough for the children to recognize later.
3: Remove the materials – and let the hunt begin!
Once the outlines are drawn, remove the materials, and then the puzzle can begin: Now the children must find the right leaf or twig that fits each shape. It’s a fun and active way to engage children while teaching them about nature.
Use the activity as a treasure hunt
You can also use the idea as a treasure hunt:
Before you go out, make a cardboard board with the shapes drawn in advance – a kind of treasure map. On the trip, the children must find the right natural objects that match the outlines.
– Who can find a leaf that fits here?
– Where is a twig that matches this shape?
It’s a fantastic way to get children to notice details, move actively, and use their senses.
Tips to make the activity even more fun:
Use different types of leaves (with and without serrations)
Make a puzzle with stones, twigs, leaves, and bark – and maybe even a snail shell
Color the shapes, or add numbers and letters for a bit of learning in the game
Make a competition: Who finds all the items first?
Save the finished puzzle board as a keepsake from the trip
Whether you make a nature puzzle together in the forest or prepare a treasure hunt at home, this activity is a fantastic way to get children outdoors. The kids get to use their senses, be creative, gain nature understanding, and move around – and it requires almost no preparation.
Take the cardboard under your arm, the marker in your pocket – and go on a treasure hunt in nature!
We hope you have a really fun trip together outdoors 🍃
There are countless exciting, fun, and educational activities in nature for children. The book My Nature Book contains many nature activities perfect for kids.
And with good guidance from an adult and a carving knife in hand, children can enjoy many creative hours.