Top Nature Gifts for Kids: Perfect Presents for Young Nature Explorers

Discover the best nature gifts for kids who love outdoor exploration, nature study, and hiking. These thoughtful gift ideas are perfect for fostering a love of nature in adventurous kids.

Do your kids love to be out in nature? The fresh air tickling their faces, birds singing high in the trees, bright flowers just waiting to be picked…they draw children outside.

The world is full of wonder, from the rustling leaves in the forest to the songs of birds high in the trees—nature is an endless playground for curious kids. If your child is always exploring the outdoors, then you know how important it is to nurture that love for nature. Finding the right gifts that not only inspire adventure but also encourage learning is the perfect way to fuel their curiosity and creativity. In this guide, I'll share the best nature-themed gifts that will turn your child's love of the outdoors into an exciting and educational journey.

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Kids and nature go hand in hand. Kids love to learn about the world around them. If you homeschool, it’s easy to incorporate nature study into your day. However, anyone can do nature study, wherever your kids do school, even if they aren’t old enough to attend yet. It’s also fun to take your kids hiking. The right supplies will help make time out in nature more enjoyable.

Why Nature Gifts Are Perfect for Kids

1. Foster Curiosity and Imagination

Children are naturally curious, and the outdoors offers them a world filled with endless opportunities for discovery. Nature gifts, such as binoculars, field guides, or hiking boots, allow kids to safely explore the world around them in ways that inspire curiosity and spark their imagination. Whether they’re identifying birds or examining insects, these gifts provide tools to help them observe, ask questions, and make connections in the natural world.

2. Encourage Active Play and Natural Exploration

With so much focus on electronics, it's more important than ever to encourage outdoor play. Nature gifts motivate kids to get outside, explore new environments, and engage in physical activity. Hiking gear, nature backpacks, and compass kits help make outdoor adventures more fun and accessible, ensuring that kids spend time being physically active and connecting with nature—without relying on screens or indoor entertainment.

3. Learn Through Nature

Nature gifts provide an excellent way for kids to learn while having fun. They’re not just about play—they are also educational. Gifts that promote nature study, like nature journals, plant identification kits, or nature games, help children develop skills in observation, critical thinking, and even science. These gifts make learning a hands-on, immersive experience, which is especially valuable in a homeschool environment.

4. Build Confidence and Promote Independence

Outdoor activities often challenge children to step out of their comfort zone, fostering independence and self-confidence. Whether they’re learning how to use a map, scale a rocky path, or identify animal tracks, nature gifts empower kids to take ownership of their experiences and build resilience. These gifts not only make outdoor adventures more enjoyable but also support children in developing important life skills. Kids grow up thriving in nature, not being intimidated by it.

5. Nurture a Love for Nature

By giving children nature gifts, we’re helping them develop a lifelong connection to the world around them. When kids are equipped to explore and learn about the natural world, they gain an appreciation for its beauty and the need to protect it. They will continue to respect the environment as they grow.

Top Nature Gifts for Kids

Hiking Gear for Kids

When you first begin hiking with kids, you won’t need a lot of special supplies. However, as your family's love of exploring the outdoors grows and you begin to hike quite often, then quality gear is a good investment. You’ll also love to know that hiking gear makes perfect nature gifts for kids who love to hike. Having proper equipment gives you peace of mind that your family can safely navigate nature.

Hiking Boots: These hiking boots for older kids and these hiking boots are great for toddlers and preschoolers to wear while hiking.

Hiking Backpack: If you plan to do a good amount of hiking with your children, a hiking backpack for older kids to carry is a must. These backpacks hold a large amount of items and are quite comfortable to wear. You can use them to carry water and snacks, journal supplies and more.

Hiking Sticks: Another great item to have for families who hike often are hiking sticks. These walking sticks fold compactly and can be slid into the side of the backpacks when not in use. They are especially good for hills and uneven terrain.

Water Bottles: Water bottles are good to bring along for any length of hike, but essential for longer hikes. They can easily be stored in backpacks.

Lunchbox: A lunchbox is a great item to pack for longer hikes. These Yumboxes have tight seals (make sure to get the Originals), which make them perfect for hiking backpacks. They come in lots of fun colors as well!

Gifts for Nature Study

When your kids are enjoying nature, these items will help them with their observations and explorations.

Binoculars: Binoculars are great to observe birds and other wildlife from a distance. These will easily fit in a hiking backpack.

Magnifying Glass: A magnifying glass will make it easier to examine plants and insects.

Pocket Microscope: This pocket microscope allows you to see objects up close while on nature walks or out hiking.

Bug Box: A bug box will allow your children to observe their findings a little longer.

Flower Press Kit: A flower press kit is great for preserving flowers found during nature walks. Kids can also use the pressed flowers for crafts.

Outdoor Explorer Kit: This outdoor explorer kit is a great starter set for your little nature explorer.

Supplies for Nature Journals

Whether hiking through national parks or enjoying one’s backyard, nature journals are fun to keep. They can be part of a homeschool nature study time or just kept for fun.

Nature Journals: Nature Journals can easily be made with a blank sketchbook. I like these because the pages are a little thicker, which can be used with light watercolor.

Watercolor Paint: This watercolor paint set is inexpensive and has a good variety of colors. Great for journals and nature drawings!

Pocket-Sized Watercolor Paint Pans: These pocket-sized watercolor pans make journaling on the go easy.

Paintbrushes: A variety of paintbrush sizes is good to have when painting nature items.

Watercolor Brush Pens: Watercolor Brush Pens are another choice for journaling on the go. They travel well and can also be used at home.

Nature Drawing: The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling is a very thorough book to learn how to draw items from nature. It’s a great book for kids and adults!

Books to Learn about the Natural World

When you study nature, it’s good to have a variety of nature books for kids to use on hand. Field guides and non-fiction picture books teach children about what they observe in nature and make great nature gifts for kids.

Field Guides

Peterson Field Guides: The Peterson field guides are great to keep at home or to throw in a hiking backpack. They have a good variety of topics such as birds, mammals and wildflowers.

Smithsonian Field Guides: The DK Smithsonian field guides are also good for nature study. They are a little larger than the Peterson guides, but very informative.

Nature Books

Take Along Guides: These take along guides can be taken on nature walks. My kids like reading them at home though. There are lots of topics available in these guides.

Nature Anatomy: Every home with nature lovers should have Nature Anatomy. It’s that good! We use this book in all of our nature studies.

Nature Books for Kids: A Seed is Sleepy is one of several books about nature by this author. The illustrations are beautiful.

Gail Gibbons books: The books by Gail Gibbons are perfect for nature studies. She has books on lots of topics and the pictures draw the kids in.

Jim Arnosky books: Jim Arnosky is another author of wonderful children’s books about nature.

Nature Games

Along with nature books, kids will love learning about nature through games! Nature games for kids make wonderful nature gifts for kids to enjoy.

Matching Games: Nature matching games are a fun way to learn through play.

Nature Bingo: Nature bingo games, like this bird bingo, help kids learn about nature.

Card Games: This Flower Families game is a beautiful way to play Go Fish.

Yahtzee: Play Yahtzee with a twist with this National Parks Yahtzee game.

How Nature Gifts Encourage Exploration and Learning

Nature gifts don't just provide entertainment—they actively support a child's cognitive development too. From fostering curiosity to promoting critical thinking, these gifts turn outdoor adventures into immersive learning experiences. Let’s explore how nature gifts help children grow intellectually while they explore the world around them:

1. Promote Observation Skills

One of the most valuable skills children develop through nature exploration is observation. Nature gifts like magnifying glasses, binoculars, and nature journals encourage kids to take a closer look at the world around them. Whether it’s examining the intricate details of a leaf, tracking animal footprints, or observing the behavior of birds, these gifts help kids learn to pay attention to details they might otherwise overlook. This skill of careful observation is foundational not only for understanding the natural world but also for developing broader skills in scientific inquiry.

2. Stimulate Critical Thinking

Nature gifts provide children with opportunities to think critically about what they see and experience. When using field guides to identify plants or animals, kids learn to make connections between their observations and what they’ve read. They’ll start asking questions like, 'Why do certain plants grow here?' or 'How do animals survive in this environment?' These questions challenge kids to think beyond the surface and analyze the world around them. Nature study promotes higher-order thinking skills as kids explore complex ecosystems and seek to understand patterns in nature.

3. Foster Problem-Solving Abilities

Outdoor exploration often presents problems that need to be solved, such as how to get across a small creek or which path to follow. Nature gifts encourage children to use their creativity and resourcefulness to find solutions. A compass or map, for example, teaches kids how to navigate and orient themselves in unfamiliar environments. If a child gets lost while hiking, they'll need to apply logic and reasoning to retrace their steps or find their way back to a safe path. Similarly, items like a DIY birdhouse kit or a nature scavenger hunt encourage hands-on problem-solving as children figure out how to complete tasks. By working through these challenges, kids develop perseverance and the ability to think through solutions in real-world situations.

4. Build Scientific Research Skills

Nature gifts such as plant identification books, magnifying glasses, or insect-catching kits introduce children to the basics of scientific inquiry. As they observe and interact with the natural world, children naturally begin to ask 'why' and 'how' questions, prompting them to investigate further. Nature study becomes an exciting, interactive learning experience as they research facts, record their findings, and draw conclusions. Whether they’re keeping a nature journal or doing a science project, these gifts empower kids to engage in hands-on learning and experience the scientific process firsthand.

5. Encourage Creativity and Artistic Expression

Nature exploration isn’t just about observation and learning—it’s also about creativity. Many nature-themed gifts, like sketchbooks, art supplies, or natural craft kits, give children the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about what they encounter. Whether it’s drawing a picture of a bird they spotted or creating a leaf-pressing project, these activities help children develop fine motor skills while encouraging artistic expression. Capturing nature’s beauty through art allows children to deepen their connection to the outdoors while expressing themselves in new and creative ways.

To Sum Up...

As parents and educators, we have the incredible opportunity to nurture a child’s love for the outdoors. The gifts shared in this post are more than just toys or tools; they are invitations to explore, learn, and grow in nature. Whether your child is hiking through the woods, observing wildlife, or simply spending time outdoors, each experience builds a connection to the natural world that lasts a lifetime.

When we encourage our children to explore the beauty and complexity of nature, we’re not only sparking their curiosity but also teaching them critical life skills—patience, observation, creativity, and problem-solving. By choosing gifts that promote nature study and outdoor adventures, we’re encouraging our children to love and appreciate the world around them.

So, whether it's a nature journal, a sturdy pair of binoculars, or a hiking kit, these gifts will help turn your child's outdoor explorations into meaningful experiences. Let's raise kids who love nature and are inspired by it.