What Nature Taught Me This Week: Embracing Nature-Based Learning with My Kids
- jenniferlaceybaker
- May 12
- 4 min read
A Spontaneous, Plan-Free Approach to Outdoor Education and Family Bonding
Last Friday, my daughter—whom I’m homeschooling this year—and I were about to head out the door to pick up my youngest from preschool when a spontaneous idea struck: a quick trip to the playground at our local beach.
Cue resistance.
My daughter, like many kids, doesn’t love surprises. But we’ve been working on saying yes more. I told her I needed a little nature reset—luckily she agreed and we were able to skip to the good part.
Lately, I’ve been craving simplicity.
I grew up without drawers full of snacks or colour-coded water bottles for every occasion. And yet—I was fed, happy, and occasionally drank straight from the garden hose. It was great.
My childhood wasn’t filled with sensory bins or structured play. It was free-range nature learning.
My sisters and I whittled bows and arrows (the ultimate nature craft), climbed trees, and raided the garden as needed. It was bliss.
Somewhere along the parenting path, I let overplanning get in the way of giving my kids the same opportunities I had to build independence and resilience.
So, for this impromptu outing, I grabbed one water bottle for all three of us. (Audible gasps welcome.)
What was meant to be a quick visit to the park turned into a three-hour beach adventure.
The kids swam in their clothes, got sandy from head to toe, found coins and clam shells, and learned the difference between dabblers and divers. Nature-based learning at its finest.
🦆 Ducks, Dirt, and Discovery: Nature-Based Learning through Outdoor Adventures
Side note: Years ago, during my schooling to become a wildlife technician, I took a class on waterfowl. I’m by no means an expert in duckology, but I do know this:
Dabblers forage along the surface, dipping their head below the water while their tail feathers stick out. Think Mallard.
Divers, like the Western Grebes we watched that day, plunge beneath the surface to find their food. They have stronger, more powerful legs for paddling underwater.
Watching those grebes glide and dip sparked a conversation about bird behaviour, interspersed with creative storytelling. My kids were convinced that our landlocked lake was teeming with sharks. The ducks were not hunting for food, but fleeing to avoid becoming prey.
The afternoon was unplanned perfection, even more so when my husband biked down to surprise us, packing popsicles for all.
✨ Trading “Perfect” for Present
If you're anything like me, a slightly overwhelmed, dishevelled, homeschooling, nature-loving parent, you know the pressure to get it right. Pinterest is full of curated activities, polished printables, and picture perfect educational outcomes.
But here’s the truth: I struggle with follow-through. I want routine and structure… but I also long for simplicity and spontaneity. I’m that "type C" mom riding the wave of structured chaos, doing my best to balance it all. But here’s what I’m learning:
The magic happens in the mess.
Not in the Pinterest-perfect moments (although I love making those Pins!).
I could have let my poor planning ruin the day. I could’ve stressed about:
The brand-new Blue Jays ball cap that was now soaking wet,
The sand that would end up in my freshly vacuumed Jeep,
Or, the lack of sun hats, snacks, or a schedule.
But I didn’t—because truth be told, I’m a damn good mom who’s tired of getting bogged down in the details.
So this summer, I’m letting go of perfect plans and embracing messy, sand-covered, spontaneous moments. And I’m hoping you will too!
🌱 Start Simple: The Wild Child Literacy Starter Pack
If you’ve been wanting to get outside with your kids but feel like you need a degree in planning to pull it off, don’t worry. I’ve got something just for you.
Introducing the Wild Child Literacy Starter Pack—your no-pressure, print-and-go passport for connecting with nature in a simple, meaningful way. It’s inspired by moments like ours at the beach—where spontaneity paved the way for a simple science lesson, and chaos became connection.
Here’s what’s inside:
A curiosity spark: A prompt that sparks wonder, encouraging kids to observe and explore nature with questions and discovery.
A confidence builder: Simple activities that help children build outdoor skills and confidence in their abilities.
A conservation connection: Engaging activities that teach kids the importance of caring for and protecting nature.
It’s three printable pages.
No prep required. No guilt necessary. Just a grab and go tool to get you outside.
👉 Grab the free Starter Pack here and stash it in your day pack. Your time in nature doesn’t need to be planned.
💚 Because You're Raising a Wild Child, Too
You don’t need to be a wilderness expert.
You don’t need to have it all together (Lord knows I don’t!).
You just need to say yes to the outdoors—and let the rest unfold.
As you explore the outdoors with your kids, you might find that a shared activity like nature journaling can strengthen family bonds. In fact, our recent post on how nature journaling brings families closer shares simple tips on getting started with this rewarding activity.
But look, I know the struggle of balancing homeschooling, household chaos, and trying to do right by your kids.
And here’s the thing: you’re doing an amazing job.
By letting go of perfection, you’re making room for memories that last into adulthood. Memories that become blueprints for raising the next generation of wild children.
So here’s to the unplanned adventures, the wet ball caps, and the one water bottle that somehow gets everyone through.
I’m cheering for you,
Jen
Fellow imperfect, nature-chasing mom
Founder of Wild Child Literacy
Now that you’ve read about how we embrace nature through unplanned adventures, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What type of nature experiences do you and your family enjoy most? Whether it’s a spontaneous beach day or a leisurely nature walk, let us know by voting in the poll below! Your input helps us create more helpful and inspiring content for families like yours.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy nature with your family?
0%Impromptu trips (like a surprise beach day)
0%Nature walks and hikes
0%Camping or outdoor adventures
0%Nature journaling or crafting
If you found this post inspiring, feel free to share it with others! Pin it to your favorite boards, or share it with friends and family who could use a little more nature in their lives. Let’s inspire others to get outside and enjoy the wild moments too.
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