![Deceptively Educational offers a free download that makes outdoor time into a game for your family. Print each of your children a "Nature Hunt" page and head out to a natural area to see how many items on the list you can find. Playing this scavenger hunt game will encourage your children to slow down and carefully observe the world around them.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/0d/59/0d593ccae160a25a214843a55f0d1501.JPG?itok=1W-YyoiX "Deceptively Educational offers a free download that makes outdoor time into a game for your family. Print each of your children a "Nature Hunt" page and head out to a natural area to see how many items on the list you can find. Playing this scavenger hunt game will encourage your children to slow down and carefully observe the world around them."){kind=small}
!["Simple Nature Experiments with Everyday Materials" by Anthony D. Fredricks helps children understand the natural world through hands-on activities. As kids perform these experiments, they will gain a better understanding of the world around them. Some of the suggestions can be completed quickly; others are long-term projects to be observed over the course of several weeks. Topics covered include plants, water, animals and ecosystems.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/ff/2f/ff2fa23b81a7facb3287b225b57837a4.JPG?itok=sBIVHzfc ""Simple Nature Experiments with Everyday Materials" by Anthony D. Fredricks helps children understand the natural world through hands-on activities. As kids perform these experiments, they will gain a better understanding of the world around them. Some of the suggestions can be completed quickly; others are long-term projects to be observed over the course of several weeks. Topics covered include plants, water, animals and ecosystems.")
!["I Love Dirt" by Jennifer Ward encourages children to get outside and experience nature. The book offers 52 ideas of ways to spend time observing the natural world throughout the year. Activity suggestions are provided for all the seasons of the year, and simple dialogue prompts are offered to help children understand some of their observations.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/00/0e/000ee0cd8e9b2bf3f0a3374c41e51dbb.JPG?itok=5HK1ogTE ""I Love Dirt" by Jennifer Ward encourages children to get outside and experience nature. The book offers 52 ideas of ways to spend time observing the natural world throughout the year. Activity suggestions are provided for all the seasons of the year, and simple dialogue prompts are offered to help children understand some of their observations.")
Nature study is a popular science approach among homeschool families. Children are encouraged to spend time outdoors, where they observe the world around them and make interesting discoveries. Just spending time in the great, wide world is a learning experience in itself, but if you are looking for resources to help guide your exploration of nature, check out this list for suggestions. You'll find information on three books and a link to a free download.
Your backyard or local neighborhood might make a good setting for nature study, but you might also like to explore a nearby park. Places to check out in central Illinois are Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights, Spring Lake Nature Park in Streator, Sugar Grove Nature Center in McLean and Comlara County Park in Hudson.
Nature study is beneficial to families all year long. Kids can learn many things from spending time outdoors. The resources on this list will help your children learn more about the natural world and encourage them to be observant scientists.
!["I Love Dirt" by Jennifer Ward encourages children to get outside and experience nature. The book offers 52 ideas of ways to spend time observing the natural world throughout the year. Activity suggestions are provided for all the seasons of the year, and simple dialogue prompts are offered to help children understand some of their observations.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/48/fb/48fb4273d0503f16bf91237486a3fd57.JPG?itok=ypm5M4rU ""I Love Dirt" by Jennifer Ward encourages children to get outside and experience nature. The book offers 52 ideas of ways to spend time observing the natural world throughout the year. Activity suggestions are provided for all the seasons of the year, and simple dialogue prompts are offered to help children understand some of their observations.")
!["Simple Nature Experiments with Everyday Materials" by Anthony D. Fredricks helps children understand the natural world through hands-on activities. As kids perform these experiments, they will gain a better understanding of the world around them. Some of the suggestions can be completed quickly; others are long-term projects to be observed over the course of several weeks. Topics covered include plants, water, animals and ecosystems.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/09/e2/09e26dd87766e6b2227c36a5eb076460.JPG?itok=lWKNUXd8 ""Simple Nature Experiments with Everyday Materials" by Anthony D. Fredricks helps children understand the natural world through hands-on activities. As kids perform these experiments, they will gain a better understanding of the world around them. Some of the suggestions can be completed quickly; others are long-term projects to be observed over the course of several weeks. Topics covered include plants, water, animals and ecosystems.")
![Deceptively Educational offers a free download that makes outdoor time into a game for your family. Print each of your children a "Nature Hunt" page and head out to a natural area to see how many items on the list you can find. Playing this scavenger hunt game will encourage your children to slow down and carefully observe the world around them.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/2b/88/2b88f2ccb9d714c6e4dfdc21ff0bd0ef.JPG?itok=kVQozq3a "Deceptively Educational offers a free download that makes outdoor time into a game for your family. Print each of your children a "Nature Hunt" page and head out to a natural area to see how many items on the list you can find. Playing this scavenger hunt game will encourage your children to slow down and carefully observe the world around them.")
![Children can read all about the plant kingdom in "Plants" by Terry Jennings. Topics covered include information about what a flower is, how plants store food and what some of the different types of plants are. The book also provides information about how to be a plant spotter who collects samples and keeps records in a nature notebook.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/e5/35/e535436310816cf75577865a468adb60.JPG?itok=rYbGYCcm "Children can read all about the plant kingdom in "Plants" by Terry Jennings. Topics covered include information about what a flower is, how plants store food and what some of the different types of plants are. The book also provides information about how to be a plant spotter who collects samples and keeps records in a nature notebook.")
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