Earth Month Youth Art: Nature Journaling & Leave No Trace Crafts

April is the perfect time to get outside as a family and celebrate the natural world. At Nevada Outdoor School (NOS), we know that spending time outdoors doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes, the simplest activities—like nature journaling and creating art inspired by the outdoors—can spark curiosity, connection, and lasting memories.

If you’re looking for easy ways to increase your family’s time outside this Earth Month, nature journaling is a great place to start. All you need is a notebook and something to draw or write with. Head to a nearby park, trail, or even your backyard and take a few moments to observe your surroundings. What do you notice? What do you hear? What changes from day to day?

Encourage kids to sketch plants, write about animal tracks, or describe the weather. There’s no right or wrong way to nature journal—it’s about slowing down, paying attention, and building a deeper connection to the outdoors. Over time, these small moments help children develop observation skills, creativity, and an appreciation for the natural world.

To take it a step further, families can incorporate simple, Leave No Trace-inspired crafts into their outdoor time. The key is to enjoy nature without impacting it. Instead of collecting large amounts of materials or disturbing habitats, focus on low-impact, respectful creativity.

Here are a few ideas to try:

• Nature Rubbings: Use crayons and paper to gently capture the textures of tree bark or leaves without removing them.
• Sit Spot Sketching: Choose a quiet place to sit and draw what you see over time. Notice how things change the longer you observe.
• Temporary Art: Create small designs using fallen sticks, rocks, or pinecones—then leave them behind for others to discover or let nature reclaim them.
• Color Matching: Challenge kids to find natural colors and match them in their journal using crayons or colored pencils.

These activities align with Leave No Trace principles by encouraging families to respect wildlife, minimize disturbance, and leave outdoor spaces just as they found them.

By combining creativity with outdoor exploration, families can turn a simple outing into an engaging and educational experience. Whether it’s 20 minutes at a local park or a longer weekend adventure, these small efforts add up—helping children build a lifelong connection to nature.

This Earth Month, we encourage you to get outside, get creative, and make nature a part of your family’s routine. Nevada Outdoor School is proud to support opportunities that help youth and families connect with the outdoors in meaningful, responsible ways.