If you want a creative and fun way to enjoy the summer with your children, exploring nature is an easy and inexpensive option! Here are 5 fun summer activities that are sure to pique your child's imagination and appreciation of the environment.

Create a Nature Journal Bag

Here’s a neat way your kids can create their own nature journal.

You’ll need:

• a short, sturdy stick
• a rubber band
• several sheets of construction paper or cardstock

Instructions:

1. Pile the sheets of paper together and then fold in half to make a booklet.
2. Cut two small notches in the spine of the booklet.
3. Your child will then hook the rubber band over one end of the stick and poke the rubber band through the top notch.
4. Stretch the band down through the inside of the spine and thread through the bottom notch, then hook around the bottom end of the stick.

I purchased a small tote bag from a dollar store for easy carrying of our nature bag. Inside, I placed the journal along with pencils for recording data, measuring tape for taking measurements of tree trunks or large rocks, a magnifying glass for closer inspection of cool bugs and objects, and crayons to do leaf rubbings. Since everything is in the handy tote bag, your child can carry inside any collectibles he or she finds in nature.

Creatively Framed Flowers

You’ll need:

• 2 cardboard pieces
• saran wrap
• freshly picked flowers
• scissors, scotch tape
• paint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut 2 same-sized cardboard frames.
2. Cover one side of the frame with saran wrap (this will be the front of the frame).
3. Tape saran wrap into place.
4. Lay freshly picked flowers on the saran wrap and arrange as desired.
5. Cover once more in saran wrap, tape securely, and lay back cardboard frame over and secure with tape.

If you’d like you can paint the cardboard frame to match your flowers or decorate with stickers, glitter, or buttons as one of your fun summer activities!

Nature Prints in Clay

Pick up some air-dry clay in the craft section and make several small round flattened disc shapes. Ask your child to gather any items she wants to make an imprint of. Rocks, leaves, sticks, shells, acorns…the possibilities are endless. Firmly press the item into the clay to make a clear imprint. Allow to dry, and then paint if desired.

Pretty Flower Crowns

Gather several bundles of flowers and leaves. Find a vine or flexible branch and make a circle just slightly bigger than the circumference of your child’s head. Secure with garbage bag ties or strong tape. Use twisty ties to secure the leaves to the vine. Attach the largest flowers first in whatever design you choose, securing with ties. Add in smaller flowers to fill in any gaps. Do a fun photo shoot to showcase the crown!

Nature Bookmarks

You’ll need:

• contact paper
• yarn
• a hole punch
• an assortment of small flowers and/or leaves.

Instructions:

1. Cut contact paper into two strips approximately 2 inches wide.
2. Arrange flowers/leaves on the sticky side of the first strip. This may be easier if it is taped down around the border with painter’s tape.
3. Lay the other piece of contact paper over the arrangement.
4. Use a hole punch to create a hole in the top to thread the yarn through.

For more fun summer activities for kids check out these great resources!

Rebecca Eanes is the bestselling author of multiple books including Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide, The Positive Parenting Workbook, and The Gift of a Happy Mother. She is the grateful mom of two boys.