After the blinding brightness and scorching heat of summer, autumn brings pleasant warmth to the colors and air, which makes the evenings pleasant. We like spending them outside. Sometimes we get no further than our backyard, sitting on the lawn as Canada geese flock in the sky overhead. Other times we drive to a nearby forest and walk for a couple of hours, looking for beautiful leaves. Read on for more nature filled kid's activities.

For our son, it is his favorite part of the day. Finding a stick in the grass, he struts around and whacks the tall grass. Or he throws rocks in the river. Or he searches for pine cones to add to his autumn collection. For, in the eyes of a child, autumn is a time to start a nature collection, of course!

An ornate leaf here and a chestnut there. An acorn cap, and there is an acorn itself. A piece of bark can be turned into a boat later. We cannot help but get into the mood of his search. After the inevitable arrival of winter, our little nature collection will bring back memories of these walks.

Related Article: 5 Best Things to Do with Your Kid this Weekend

How can you start a nature collection?

First and foremost, there is nothing wrong with bringing home the finest specimens of rocks and leaves for display. But when your baskets get full of treasures, you may want to suggest a new way of making a collection! Here are a few ideas:

1. Bring a camera on a walk in the forrest.

Encourage children to take pictures of everything that seems interesting to them. Even a three-year-old can operate a simple camera, and the results will be fascinating for everyone. How often as parents we wish to take a look at the world through children's eyes! Here is our chance.

2. Be Creative!

A nature collection does not have to consist of rocks and leaves only! Make a collection of birds, mammals, or insects. Suggest to make lists of all the animals you see. If you have a few children and they are a game for a little competition, keep lists separate and compare them at the end of the walk. Seasoned bird watchers do it!

Continued on next page...