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Literacy and the Great Outdoors: 10 Outdoor Literacy Ideas

Outdoor Literacy Ideas-Alphabet Rocks

There’s no reason learning the ABCs needs to be limited to an indoor space. In fact, there are lots of ways to encourage a love of reading and writing by spending time outside. Here are ten literacy activities I’ve enjoyed with my own two sons – one of whom is 8 (and an avid reader) and the other who is 5 (and not quite a full-fledged reader yet).

Outdoor Literacy Ideas-Read Outdoors

1. Read outside
Grab a few books and head outside. Bring along a blanket to sit on, find a tree to lean up against or cuddle up in an outdoor fort. Read together or allow your child time to him or herself – whichever feels appropriate.

2. Paint alphabet rocks
Gather up some rocks from around the neighborhood or a local park. You can create a set of alphabet rocks by painting letters on each rock with acrylic paint. Choose a variety of colors or make a set of capital letters in one color, lowercase letters in another.

3. Make story stones
More drawing on rocks – this time using pictures instead of letters. Create nature-themed images such as animals, flowers, insects and the elements. Then take turns telling stories using the stones as prompts.

Outdoor Literacy Ideas-Nature ABC

4. Create your own nature ABC book
Go on a nature hunt with your little one – around your neighborhood, backyard, park, garden, local zoo or aquarium. Look for something to represent each letter of the alphabet. Then take a picture of that image. Print out the photos and place them in a dedicated album to form your very own ABC book. Add letters, words and other facts as desired.

5. Use nature for letter making
Kids just learning their letters will have fun shaping letters using items found in nature such as rocks, sticks or flower petals.

6. Go on a scavenger hunt
If your child isn’t yet reading, create cards with pictures of items to find and the corresponding words underneath (you can do the same with numbers of items and shapes as well). Kids already reading can search for items using a written list instead.

7. Keep a nature journal
While a traditional nature journal usually focuses on discoveries and sketches, ours include any kind of writing the kids want to include about their outdoor adventures.

For example, this summer I encouraged my sons to keep a summer adventure journal. The 5 year old wrote one sentence and a picture with each entry. (He told me what he wanted to write and I spelled it out for him; he wrote all his own letters). The 8 year old sketched too but also wrote at least a paragraph.

8. Discover field guides
My 5 year old is a self-proclaimed animal rescuer and as such is now consumed with learning about all things animal. In addition to traditional children’s books about animals we’re also reading field guides. Choose guides with quality photos and simple facts. There are even field guides designed just for kids.

Outdoor Literacy Ideas-Field Guides

9. Make a backyard field guide
Once young children are familiar with field guide basics, try making your own. Children can practice drawing, letter writing and more as they create their own backyard field guide. Keep it general or focus on your child’s specific interests, such as a bird book, animal book or flower guide.

10. Read about nature indoors
If your child has a specific interest in the great outdoors – like my self-proclaimed animal rescuer – encourage that passion by reading about it whenever you normally read together. Take advantage of your local library to vary up your titles, or stick with a few old favorites.

What creative ways do you use to encourage of a love of reading in your child?

Related Posts

  • 10 Easy Ideas for Making Art Outdoors
  • Learning from Nature: Amongst Living Things
  • 7 Steps to Creating an Outdoor Play Space Kids Will Adore
  • 9 Ways to Encourage Indoor Kids to Play Outdoors

Debi Huang is a Los Angeles, CA-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. She writes about connecting kids and families with nature in the backyard and beyond.

Filed Under: Bigger Kids Play, Literacy, Outdoor Spaces, Preschool Play, Toddler Play Tagged With: outdoor literacy

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Next post: Baby Play Ideas: Vehicles, Balls & Ramps

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Gayle says

    September 17, 2013 at 6:39 PM

    I don't have any kids, but my brother is having his first so have sent him a link to your blog so he can read this. It's a great way to get kids wanting to play outdoors while learning at the same time. Thanks for sharing this :)
    • Debi says

      September 17, 2013 at 11:45 PM

      Thank you so much, Gayle! Congratulations to your brother on his upcoming arrival. Enjoy your new niece or nephew! :-)
  2. Darren Bell says

    September 18, 2013 at 1:07 AM

    Great tips on nurturing our kids! I had 1 and 8 months old daughter and at her young age, she already knows how to identify alphabet and animals as well. These ideas will give additional information for us parents in teaching our children..
    • Debi says

      September 18, 2013 at 2:55 AM

      I'm glad you find these ideas helpful for getting outside with your 8-month old, Darren. Have fun exploring (and learning) together!
  3. Amelia says

    September 18, 2013 at 3:06 AM

    GREAT post, Debi! Love this ideas!!!
    • Debi says

      September 18, 2013 at 3:26 AM

      Thank you, Amelia! :-)
  4. Krystal says

    April 27, 2016 at 10:19 AM

    I love getting outdoors with my kids. Miss 4 is really interested in the alphabet, so she's really going love the activity to make letters with nature as well as the others. Thanks!

Trackbacks

  1. Outdoor Math Game: Counting Items in Nature | Nature.xcuz.me says:
    April 4, 2014 at 2:59 PM
    […] had a lot of fun sharing ideas for learning to read outdoors on Childhood 101 last year. Now Christie and I have put together another great series I think […]
  2. Fun Friday: ABC Nature Scavenger Hunt | Nature.xcuz.me says:
    July 8, 2014 at 1:29 AM
    […] 10 Outdoor Literacy Ideas  […]
  3. Volume Blog says:
    May 31, 2017 at 2:54 AM
    Playing And Learning Outdoors [...] – one of whom is 8 (and an avid reader) and the other who is 5 (and not quite [...]
  4. How To Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten | Family Focus Blog says:
    August 23, 2018 at 1:38 AM
    […] practice writing letters and numbers using their fingers or popsicle sticks. For some added fun, take the writing outside – have your child write in the dirt using sticks or on the pavement with sidewalk […]
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