There’s something quietly magical about watching a child crouch down to inspect a beetle, or stand completely still while a bird hops closer. That sense of curiosity. The questions. The wonder.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get kids interested in nature, you’re not alone. Many parents and grandparents are looking for gentle ways to draw children away from screens and back towards fresh air, muddy knees and real-world discovery.
The good news is that encouraging outdoor play doesn’t have to mean big countryside walks or complicated plans. Often, it starts in your own garden, at the park, or even at the kitchen window.
Here are some simple, practical ways to help children build a genuine love of the natural world, along with a few thoughtfully chosen toys that make the journey even more exciting.
Why Nature Matters So Much for Children
Before we dive into ideas, it’s worth reminding ourselves of the benefits of outdoor play for children.
Spending time outside helps children:
- Build confidence and independence
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Improve balance and coordination
- Strengthen focus and concentration
- Feel calmer and more regulated
- Connect with the seasons and the world around them
Nature also offers something screens simply can’t. It responds. It surprises. It changes.
And when children feel connected to nature early on, that curiosity often stays with them for life.
1. Make It Hands-On
If you’re looking at encouraging outdoor play, the keyword is “doing”. Children fall in love with nature when they can touch, hold, examine and explore it for themselves.
Start with a Bug Hunt
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of lifting a flowerpot and discovering what’s underneath.
The Bug Viewer is a brilliant way to turn an everyday garden into an adventure. With clear sides, top and bottom, plus 3x and 6x magnification, children can observe insects from every angle. It even has breathing holes and a watertight base for pond dipping.
The important lesson here is to be gentle in observation. Look closely, talk about what you see, and then return the creature safely to where it was found.
Simple. Respectful. Fascinating.
See the Tiny Details
Some children want to go even closer.
The Outdoor Adventure Microscope offers 20x to 40x magnification and is small enough to take anywhere. Leaves, bark, feathers, petals, even the weave of fabric, suddenly look completely different.
It’s handheld, illuminated, and comes with batteries included, making it wonderfully practical for spontaneous exploring. Pop it in a pocket and head outside.
These kinds of nature learning activities don’t feel like lessons. They feel like discoveries.
2. Give Them Real Tools
Children take things more seriously when they have proper equipment. It shifts outdoor play from “wandering about” to genuine exploration.
Spotting Wildlife
The Junior Binoculars are perfectly sized for younger hands and offer three times magnification. Suddenly, birds on the fence, squirrels in the trees and even distant sheep on a hill become part of the adventure.
They’re sturdy, easy to focus and come with a fabric case for safekeeping. For children aged 6+, they’re a lovely introduction to birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
You might be surprised how much quieter a child becomes when they’re concentrating through binoculars.
All-In-One Adventure
For younger explorers, the Explorer Set is full of possibilities. With a bucket hat, extendable net, magnifying glass, binoculars, bug viewer and more, it encourages imaginative play alongside real nature discovery.
It’s ideal for garden adventures, park trips, or even exploring the “wilderness” behind the shed. For children aged 3+, it provides that sense of being properly equipped for a mission.
And that feeling of having your own kit? It’s powerful.
3. Create Wildlife-Friendly Spaces at Home
If you’re wondering how to get kids interested in nature long term, one of the best ways is to bring wildlife closer to home.
When children can observe changes daily, nature becomes part of their routine.
Watch Birds from the Kitchen Window
The Window Bird Feeder is a quiet little marvel. With its one-way mirror panel, children can watch birds up close without disturbing them.
It’s easy to install and clean, and it includes a Garden Bird Guide to help identify visitors. Many families tell us this becomes a daily ritual. Morning bird check. After-school bird check.
It transforms an ordinary window into a nature observatory.
Invite Insects In
The Insect Hotel takes things a step further. Children build the structure themselves, then use the included tools to safely observe insects before releasing them.
With shelves, tweezers, a magnifying glass, learning cards and an adjustable shoulder strap, it feels like proper fieldwork.
More importantly, it helps children understand that insects matter. Pollinators, decomposers, tiny ecosystem heroes.
These are powerful early lessons in care and responsibility.
Experience Metamorphosis First-Hand
Few experiences are as captivating as watching caterpillars transform.
The Live Butterfly Garden Kit allows children to observe the full life cycle of Painted Lady butterflies at home. The kit includes a reusable pop-up habitat and a voucher to order caterpillars in spring and summer.
There’s something deeply moving about releasing butterflies into the garden after watching them grow. It’s a beautiful way to teach patience, change and respect for living things.
Just remember that caterpillars aren’t available between mid-September and March due to the colder weather, so this is a wonderful seasonal activity for warmer months.
4. Build Independence and Confidence
Nature isn’t just about observing. It’s also about doing.
Learning practical outdoor skills builds confidence in a way that feels exciting rather than pressured.
Build a Den
The Den Kit is a firm favourite with our team. It includes a tarpaulin, rope, pegs, a groundsheet, a wooden mallet, a metal mug, and even camouflage face paint.
It’s everything needed to create a hideaway in the garden, at the park or on a camping trip.
Den building encourages teamwork, problem-solving and imaginative play. It also gives children ownership of their own space.
And yes, it’s wonderfully effective at keeping active children busy outdoors.
Learn Useful Knots
The Knot Skills Kit might sound simple, but learning six essential knots is surprisingly empowering.
With two lengths of cord and a clear guide, children aged 6+ can practise tying Reef Knots, Timber Hitches and more. Adult supervision is recommended, but it’s a lovely shared activity.
Practical skills like this build resilience. They show children that they’re capable.
And that feeling carries far beyond the garden.
5. Make It Personal and Creative
Children connect more deeply when they’ve had a hand in creating something.
Paint a Butterfly Home
The Hungry Caterpillar Paint Your Own Butterfly House combines creativity with conservation.
It’s a quality wooden butterfly house, complete with paints and a brush, ready to decorate. Once finished, it can be hung in the garden to provide shelter for butterflies and insects.
Painting it gives children a sense of pride. Hanging it outside gives them a reason to keep checking back.
Over time, this becomes more than a craft. It becomes a project. A small commitment to looking after nature.
Simple Ways to Encourage Outdoor Play Every Week
You don’t need elaborate plans. Here are a few easy ideas that work beautifully:
- Keep binoculars or a bug viewer by the back door
- Start a “nature notebook” to sketch and record findings
- Visit the same park each week and notice what changes
- Create a small wildlife corner in the garden
- Let children lead the exploration
When children feel a sense of ownership, curiosity grows naturally.
Choosing the Right Nature Toys
When selecting toys to support nature learning activities, look for items that:
- Encourage real exploration rather than passive play
- Feel sturdy and long-lasting
- Allow open-ended discovery
- Suit the child’s age and confidence
At Mulberry Bush, we’ve always loved toys that invite children to explore the world around them. Our Exploring Nature collection brings together practical, hands-on pieces that help children connect with the natural world in meaningful ways.
From microscopes to den kits, these are toys designed to be used, carried outdoors, and enjoyed again and again.
The Long-Term Impact of Loving Nature
Encouraging outdoor play isn’t just about filling an afternoon.
Children who feel comfortable outside are often more curious, more confident and more observant. They ask questions. They notice details. They care.
And that connection often shapes how they see the world as they grow older.
So if you’re wondering how to get kids interested in nature, start small. A magnifying glass. A bird feeder. A den in the garden.
Let them get muddy. Let them ask questions. Let them lead.
The rest tends to follow.
Looking for Even More Inspiration?
You might also enjoy the National Trust’s “50 Things to Do Before You’re 11¾” list — a wonderful collection of simple outdoor activities designed to help children connect with nature, from pond dipping to climbing trees. It’s full of gentle, practical ideas and pairs beautifully with hands-on exploring at home.
Ready to Explore?
You can discover all of the toys mentioned above, along with many more thoughtful outdoor activities, in our Exploring Nature collection.
Have a browse, and see what might spark your child’s next adventure. 🌿
