I hope everyone’s been soaking up the sunshine and getting outside this summer! I’m sure you know this already, but it truly is one of my favourite things to do! Being outside and enjoying nature and all its wonderful treasures. 

If you’ve ever gone on a walk, hike, or even just stepped into the backyard with young kids, you know that pockets are essential—because kids are natural collectors. Leaves, pebbles, feathers, acorns, twigs, mysterious “special” dirt clumps… it all ends up in little hands (and then your pockets, I’m sure!).

Nature treasures have a magical way of finding their way home with you. So I say let’s embrace it!

Today, I’m sharing some of our favorite simple and creative ways to collect and enjoy these little outdoor treasures with kids. 

Collecting Nature Treasures with Kids

Spending time in nature isn’t just fun—it’s so good for kids. Outdoor play helps build confidence, encourages creativity, supports motor skills, and gives children a chance to explore, observe, and connect with the world around them. Plus, a bit of fresh air and sunshine seems to work wonders for everyone’s mood!

That is why I offer the fabulous resource Nature School: Connect, Learn and Play Outside. A way to enrich your child’s learning through outdoor exploration!

So, without further ado, here are our favourite ways to collect nature treasures with children!

#1 Use a Tennis/Badminton Racket

This is such a great one to try with kids. Children can easily hold onto the handle as they walk around collecting, and the little grids were perfect for weaving that treasure so it didn’t come loose. Also great for building those little finger muscles. 

#2 Use a Pipe Cleaner

Grab a pipe cleaner and let your little one collect all those leaves, flowers, and soft natural treasures! The pipe cleaner is perfect for threading on all sorts of natural items and is still perfectly safe for little ones to walk around with.

#3 Use a Darning Needle and Yarn

Much like the idea above, this one is great for a little older children. Children can walk around and practice their sewing as they collect leaves and flowers. Some amazing necklaces and bracelets can be made! 

#4 Use Duct Tape

This idea is one that I have used HUNDREDS of times at this point. I have used this idea in all the Kindergarten classrooms I have taught in, and I have also used it with my own children, nieces, nephews, and little friends many times. Simply wrap a piece of duct tape around your child’s waist, sticky side out, and let the collecting begin!

#5 Use a Ziploc Bag with a Face Drawn On

We collected coloured leaves in a ziploc bag near Halloween, so we made our ziploc look like a jack-o-lantern, but you could also draw on a silly face or a monster face to use this idea any time of the year.

#6 Use Contact Paper on an Easel or Wall

Pop some contact paper, sticky side out, on an outdoor art easel or a wall. Little ones will love running around finding treasures to add to their art wall!

#7 Use a Wagon or Bucket

Lastly, grab a wagon or bucket and let your little one start collecting! This one is fun to use some imagination with. Whether they’re pretending to grocery shop, building a fairy village, or turning their treasures into another activity and creating a beautiful nature mandala.

I hope you and your child love exploring and using some of these ways to collect your own treasures while enjoying the great outdoors. 

If your child lights up at the idea of exploring the outdoors and gathering sticks, stones, and leafy finds, they’re going to love Nature School. It’s packed with playful, hands-on activities that sneak in learning through literacy, math, motor skills, and sensory play—all inspired by the natural world. With every theme, you’ll find gorgeous printables, creative prompts, and simple ways to turn time outside into something magical.

Let’s make learning wild, wonderful, and full of fresh air.

Take a peek and get your copy of Nature School:

https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/natureschool