70 Fun and Creative Nature Writing Prompts

34 Nature Journal Ideas + 36 NEW Nature Writing Prompts for Students — From early American authors like Henry David Thoreau to modern writers like Annie Dillard, nature writing has a long and storied tradition of exploring the natural world through observation and reflection.

Teaching kids to write about nature is one of the best ways to instill an appreciation for the natural world in them while also helping them develop their writing, analytic, and reflection skills.

Kids will reflect on everything from how they use their senses in the natural world to the reasons that nature has served as such a long-term source of inspiration to writers and artists around the world.

As they write about and spend more time observing everything they see outside, students will gain a deeper appreciation for nature and a better understanding of how to reflect and analyze their surroundings.

Table of Contents

34 Nature Journal Prompts and Writing Prompts for Kids
Yes! Nature Makes an Excellent Writing Topic
36 Interesting Nature Journal Prompts
146 More Free Writing Prompts

Use these new nature journal prompts and writing ideas to get kids thinking about the beauties of the natural world and their place in it!

34 Nature Journal Prompts and Writing Prompts for Kids

How much time do you get to spend outdoors?
If you were a part of nature, what element would you be? Why?
Spend 15 minutes outside observing the world around you. Write about what you notice most.
What is your favorite season? Why?
Write a short story about a summer thunderstorm.
What is the most beautiful place in the world? What do you love about it?
When you go outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?
Do you consider yourself a nature-lover? Why or why not?
Would you rather have your favorite season all year long or experience different seasons throughout the year? Why?
If you could experience any new part of nature, which one would you choose? Why?
Choose a natural object that you can see when you look out the window and write about it. Describe how it looks and moves and imagine how it might sound or feel.
How do people who live in the city enjoy nature in comparison to people who live in the country?
What element of nature speaks to you the most? Why?
What is your favorite place outside to explore?
What do you think life was like for our ancestors who had to live off of the resources they could get from nature? Do you think you could have survived this way?
Write a story or poem in which nature is the main character rather than just a setting.
What is your favorite time of day to be outside? What do you like about it?
Write a short story about a leaf falling from a tree.
How does the weather impact the way you are able to enjoy nature?
How are the seasons different from one another?
Write a story about a world in which we live in the clouds and look at a sky full of grass and trees above us.
What can we do to better protect our natural world?
Write a poem about your favorite season.
Write about your favorite thing that lives outside. It can be a flower, an animal, a vegetable, etc.
Would you rather live in a secret forest or on a desert island? Why?
Do you think that people take enough time to appreciate nature? Why or why not?
Why do you think nature inspires so many writers and artists?
What part of nature are you most thankful for? Why?
Throughout the world, there are many trees that have stood in the same place for hundreds of years. Write a story about all of the historic events and changes in society that one of these trees has seen.
Write a short story about winter’s first snowflake.
Choose one element of nature (a tree, flower, cloud, etc.) and write a poem from its perspective.
What is your favorite type of weather? Why?
What is the best part of playing outside?
Write a story from the perspective of a bird that can see the entire world from above.

These nature writing prompts are sure to delight you and your young writers. See even more nature writing prompts and journaling topics about nature below!

Yes! Nature Makes an Excellent Writing Topic

Now, I want to share with you even more nature journal prompts to spark your writers creativity.

That’s because nature provides loads of meaningful material to write about and is one of the most beautiful gifts in life.

Its awe-inspiring sights and breathtaking scenery have the power to ignite creativity and captivate a writer’s senses. Some use it to draw or paint, while others love capturing photographs of these beautiful sights. Of course, you can also use nature in your writing.

You see…

Nature offers endless creative writing material. We think nature journaling or writing about nature in any format is a great way for writers of all ages to improve their writing and appreciate the beautiful things in life.

Use any of these nature writing prompts to get inspired. Oh, and you’ll also have the freedom to get as creative as you want and use your imagination to craft interesting stories.

Ok… Your creative writing about nature journey starts now. Enjoy!

36 Interesting Nature Journal Prompts

Nature writing is the perfect activity for kids and students of all ages. Grab your sketch books, notebooks, pens, or crayons, and start creating some fun stuff using the prompts below.

Imagine your favorite animal has the ability to speak. Write a short and fun story keeping it as the main character.
Take a walk at your favorite place and observe nature. Write what you observed through all your senses.
What is your favorite type of weather and why? Do you have a special memory associated with it?
Have you ever gone on a trip that turned into an adventure? Write about it!
Which element of nature do you relate to most and why?
Write a short story or poem about nature and use the following words: bark, bird feeder, secret forest, and unusual egg.
If you have the superpower of talking to animals, what will you do?
Imagine you find trees that could talk to you about your ancestors — what would you ask them?
Write a poem about a girl who lives in a field of wildflowers and butterflies.
Write a short poem on your favorite season and use crayons to add colors to the page.
What is your most and least favorite parts of nature, and why?
Take any natural object that you have in front of you right now and write about it.
Write a sci-fi story about a nature-lover who fights to save the ecosystem.
Write a story from the perspective of a bird who wishes to turn into a human.
Do you have pets? Write about them.
Write a nature-themed story on different seasons, explaining how nature changes throughout the year.
Would you rather get stuck in a summer thunderstorm or in heavy snowfall.
Write an essay on the importance of wild animal rescue services.
Do you prefer the sea or the mountains? Explain why in detail.
Write a story about a group of kids who go on a nature scavenger hunt.
Imagine you wake up one day as a butterfly. Write a story using this theme.
Write a list of insects you’ll find in a garden.
Suppose your favorite animal discovers a secret forest. Write a story from the perspective of this animal.
If you were a fish, what your day-to-day life would be like?
What is your favorite nature-related movie? Explain why in detail.
Do you enjoy rainy days? Write three least and most favorite things about this weather.
What is your favorite time of day to be outdoors and why?
Suppose you get a free ticket to tour the world. Where would you like to go and what nature would you like to see and experience.
Create a list of different species found underwater.
Imagine you are a bird flying over a meadow. Write about the things you’ll see below.
If you get a chance to turn into a bird, fish, animal, or insect, what would you choose and why?
Write a poem on leaves turning gold in fall.
Write about a group of friends on a camping trip who encounter wild animals.
Describe how air pollution is affecting nature.
Write a story about a mischievous cat who gets lost in a forest.
Do you have a garden at your home? Write about it. If you don’t have one, write about the kind of garden you’d like to have.

I hope you enjoyed these two awesome lists of nature writing prompts and journal ideas!

Naturalists and scientists historically have used sketch books and journaling extensively as they practiced their wildlife observation skills and documented their nature finds. Perhaps you will do the same. I certainly hope you do.

Ok, that’s all for today. Now get to it and have your writers grab their notebook, pencils, pens, crayons or any of their writing mediums of choice and get to nature journaling now. The birds, bees, butterflies, and more await you!

Until next time, write on…

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Sincerely,
Jill
journalbuddies.com
creator and curator