Winter Nature Journaling Ideas for Kids: No Matter Your Climate!
- paperandpines
- Dec 17, 2025
- 5 min read
When we think of “nature journaling,” I think most of us imagine ourselves crouching beside free-flowing spring creeks, finding shady spots to sketch on warm sunny days, or collecting a kaleidoscope of leaves in the fall. Winter may be the most overlooked season for nature journaling, but think about it: the world is quieter, smaller details are easier to notice, and even in areas with mild winters, those subtle seasonal shifts are happening all around us.
Whether you live somewhere with frigid temperatures and feet of snow, or you’re in a milder climate where winter sometimes feels like an extension of fall, your young learners can still explore and build observation skills through nature journaling.
It doesn’t require much: a simple journal, a pencil, and a curious kid is all you really need. Still, the right tools can make winter nature journaling more engaging! Here are some of our favorite nature journaling ideas for winter science units.
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Getting Set Up: Winter Nature Journaling Basics
Whether you’re bundling up below freezing or enjoying warm winter days, it’s a good idea to put together a nature journaling bag/kit to take along. Here are a few of our favorite basics to have on hand when we want to devote a good chunk of time to being outside:
Weather-resistent notebooks for journaling (check out these, they’re a game changer during everything from misty spring days to snowy winter walks!)
Mechanical pencils
A small magnifying glass or pocket microscope
Measuring tape
Kid-friendly binoculars for bird observations
Location-specific field guides for your local birds, trees, or animal tracks
Comfort items for cold climates like hand warmers, insulated thermos, and a waterproof pouch
Favorite Winter Nature Journaling Activities
Winter Birdwatching
This is a great activity, whatever your climate! It’s one of the easiest and most accessible ways to fill a few pages of your nature journals. Birds behave differently in winter depending on the climate: some migrate in, migrate out, and some stay put and adapt by changing their habits.
Here are a few things to observe and include in your journals:
Bird colors/markings
Behaviors (do they make quick hops or longer glides, scratch in the leaves, visit feeders?)
Describe the calls or songs
Record preferred food sources
Observe which species stay year-round vs. appear only seasonally
Journaling Prompts
“Which birds do we see now that we didn’t notice in summer or fall?”
“Sketch the shape of the bird’s beak; what might it be adapted for eating?”
“Where is this bird finding food today?”
Indoor option: Is it too cold or rainy to head outside? Set up a window feeder to observe birds and their activity. This works especially well for classrooms or homes in colder climates where going outside isn’t always an option.
Tracking Animal Clues
Even if you don’t have snow in your area, animals leave behind winter clues like tracks in the mud, disturbed leaves, nibbled plants, scat, and feathers.
In snowy climates, look for crisp tracks after a fresh snow from animals like rabbits, squirrels, deer, birds, and small rodents. In mild climates, look for muddy trails, wet sand, or dew-covered grass for prints and trails.
Journaling Prompts
“Draw the print you found. What shape is it?”
“Measure the stride length. What might this tell us about the animal?”
“What do you think this animal was doing?”
Winter Trees and Evergreens
With leaves gone in many areas, winter is a great time to focus on the trees themselves. Even in warmer climates, trees undergo subtle changes during the winter such as shifting colors. Grab a local tree ID book and head outside!
In nature journals, have students observe:
Bark texture (try doing a bark rubbing or using a handheld pocket microscope to get an up-close look!)
Branch patterns
Buds forming at branch tips
Differences in evergreens (needles, cones, color variations)
Journaling Prompts
“Sketch a tree and label the branches, buds, and trunk.”
“Describe how this tree looks different than it did in the fall.”
“Compare two evergreen species.” (This would be a great place for a Venn diagram)
Ice, Water, and Weather Experiments
Winter is full of natural science experiments, which can look different depending on your climate. In cold climates, try observing ice patterns on puddles, compare freezing items in sun vs. shade, and study frost on different surfaces. In milder climates, try studying dew formation, observing condensation on outdoor windows, and watching temperature changes throughout the day.
Journaling Prompts
“Sketch the patterns you see in the ice or frost.”
“Record the temperature at three times today. How did it change? What do you think caused the changes?” (These kid-friendly thermometers are great for this!)
“What surfaces collect dew most easily?”
Winter Weather Tracking
Winter weather varies dramatically by region, which makes tracking it extra interesting for science journals. Make a simple daily weather long (we have a great printable version here as part of our Meteorology Science Scouts!)
You can also have kids track sunrise and sunset times for a set period, observe cloud types, record precipitation in whatever form you get, track the wind, and compare temperatures from one week to the next.
Journaling Prompts
“Describe today’s weather using all five senses.” (Or four – leave out “taste” if you want to avoid anything going in the mouth!)
“Sketch the cloud types above you.”
“What patterns do you notice after watching the weather for a week?”
Indoor Nature Journaling
Sometimes winter weather can make outdoor journaling tricky, but there’s still plenty to observe indoors to bring nature inside during the winter!
Here are a few ideas:
Window birdwatching
Observing frost and condensation on windows
Tracking indoor plant growth
Starting winter herbs or forcing bulbs
Watching how shadows seen from the window change during the day
Journaling Prompts
“How does the light change in this room throughout the day?”
“Sketch your indoor plant and note any new growth.”
“What do you notice about the moon this week?”
Setting Yourself Up for Success with Winter Nature Journaling
Wherever you live, these simple tips will help keep you and the kids comfortable and engaged:
Keep sessions short: 10-15 minutes is plenty in cold weather
Bring warm drinks or hand warmers if needed
Dress in layers!
Look into fingerless gloves for writing.
Let kids take instant photos to paste into journals if drawing outside is too uncomfortable.
Winter offers a whole new way to experience nature. We don’t have to see this season as long and dreary, but rather a chance to slow down and notice the world in a new way. Winter nature journaling builds observation skills (and resilience for those cold-climate folks!) It deepens curiosity and helps children understand the rhythms of the natural world.
If you’re looking for more ideas for your nature journals, be sure to check out our Science Scouts downloads which pair perfectly with outdoor learning!
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