Nature journals are a fun way to pass the time. To many Great Parks nature interpreters, they are a tool that fosters meaningful connections with the natural world. This is your journal – something to help you connect to the natural world around you and make discoveries along the way.

If the weather is too awful to go outside for your nature observation, take a peak out a window from the comfort of inside your home! If you do venture outside, you may want to take a small pocket notebook to make notes or quick sketches to work further with them when you get back inside. Also, use a pencil – ink in a pen could freeze if it is too cold! Any notebook will work for your journal.

Today’s Prompt: Dandelions Are More Than Meets the Eye

Today is National Dandelion Day. Many people think of dandelions as weeds, but a weed is just a flower that grows somewhere we don’t want it to. Dandelions are amazing! They are a composite flower, which means that each petal is a complete flower and can create a seed once it has been pollinated.

Find a dandelion and see if you can count how many petals there are on the flower head. Dandelions get their name from the way the leaves look: They look like the teeth of a lion. Dandelions can be used for many things; you can do some research and find out! What would you use them for?

A Few Tips for Success:

• Work with your child’s attention span. If they aren’t enjoying an activity, allow them to choose a new one. If they are highly focused, give them plenty of time to continue the observations.
• Allow creativity. Children often have interests that go beyond the questions we pose. Create a safe environment so they can create and explore on their terms.
• Journal along with your child. You never know what you may discover and it’s a great way to spend some quality time together.
• Try activities at different times of day. Observations may change with time and temperature.

Want to try your hand at different nature journaling topics? Click here for more prompts.