What to Get a Young Naturalist for Christmas

Do you have a child or grandchild that loves nature? Would you like to inspire a child to love nature? Well, Christmas is coming, so get them something that inspires them to explore the natural world around them. Here are a couple of suggestions.

You could take the easy route and purchase a kit that includes everything a naturalist would need. Acorn Naturalist has great suggestions that won’t break the bank – https://www.acornnaturalists.com/products/kits-games/acorn-naturalists-kits-games.html. And although that is an easy route, like so many gifts that children get, much of it may end up under the bed or in the closet soon enough.

Alternately, you can keep it simple and assemble a smaller kit of your own making based on what you think your child may already be interested in and how they already explore nature. One or two items may be all you need to inspire more interests. As the child’s interest grows, more items in their kit are easily added for birthdays or because they want more. Here are a few suggestions in an order that makes good sense to get started.

For our children and now grandchildren, it starts with a bug box – to put your critters in and watch the fun! Yes, store bought bug boxes are great, often coming with a magnifier in the lid, but any old container will do. Ice cream or margarine containers are our grands “go to” approach.

A magnifier is another great tool, to get a closer look. Start with a large, preferably brightly-colored one that can be easier to find in the leaves when they forget to pick it up – at least at first. Look online or at local stores in the school supplies. A little paint or ribbon attached will suffice for a locator.

Unless your Paw Paw is a naturalist, or even if he is, the next useful item is a field guide to local plants and animals. There are so many around, but my go to choices, even as a scientist, are any of the Golden Guides – that got me hooked! Start with one that your child may already have interest in like Insects or Reptiles and Amphibians, all inexpensive ($8.00 – $12.00), but still relevant even after their first introduction 70 years ago.

From there and based on their interest, you could add a butterfly net or an aquarium net for aquatic exploration. For the kids that get really fired up about larger critters, a good set of age-appropriate binoculars is another option. A Binocular Guide for Growing Birders is a great resource https://www.audubon.org/news/binocular-guide-growing-birders. Learning how to properly use those binoculars (instructions are readily available) is a great bonding opportunity for you and your child or grandchildren. Realizing how to use the multiple adjustments and seeing the results is an Ah Ha moment for both.

Start small and simple and see where the adventure takes you and your child. Seeing their smiling faces as they share what they have discovered is priceless.

Hope to see you in our great outdoors!

*Photos courtesy of Mark LaSalle