The Best Nature Journaling Supplies for Beginners
Enjoy these list of Nature Journaling Supplies to help you get started studying nature.
Nature journaling is a wonderful way to slow down and notice the beauty of the natural world. Like heading out on a simple nature walk with young children or exploring a nearby park on your own, keeping a nature notebook can turn everyday moments into meaningful observations.
Many families discover that nature journaling becomes a natural extension of nature study in their homeschool routine. Inspired by naturalists like John Muir Laws, beginners quickly learn that you don’t need complicated gear to begin. A few thoughtful art supplies and a curiosity about the world around you are more than enough.
Below are some of my favorite supplies and favorite tools that make it easy for any beginner nature journaler to get started.
You may also enjoy reading my guide on How to Start Nature Journaling for Beginners.
Top 3 Nature Journaling Supplies
If you’re just starting nature journaling, you really only need a few simple tools to begin observing the natural world on a nature walk.
- Nature notebook with sturdy blank pages
- Mechanical pencil or HB pencil for sketches and notes
- Small set of colored pencils or watercolor pencils for adding color
A Good Nature Notebook
One of the most important supplies for nature journaling is a simple nature notebook. The goal is to have plenty of blank pages where you can sketch, write observations, and record discoveries from your nature walk.
Some families prefer media journals because they hold both drawing and painting materials well, while others enjoy a sturdy notebook with a hardback cover that travels easily outdoors. A notebook that feels special often encourages children to keep returning to their journal over a long time.
Supply List
- Nature notebook or nature note-book, easy for throwing in a backpack
- Mixed media media journals
- Notebook with hardback cover
- Journal with thick watercolor paper
- Notebook with plenty of blank pages
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir
Drawing Supplies
Sketching is at the heart of nature journaling, and simple drawing tools are often a beginner’s favorite supplies.
Many nature journaler guides recommend starting with a mechanical pencil or classic graphite pencils for quick sketches.
Supply List
- Mechanical pencil set
- HB pencil or graphite pencils
- Colored pencils
- Black pen
- White gel pen
- Pencil sharpener
- Separate eraser
Keeping a separate eraser nearby can also be helpful when refining sketches on your journal pages.
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Watercolor Supplies + Painting Supplies
Adding color to your journal is a great way to capture the beauty of plants, insects, and landscapes. Many beginners enjoy experimenting with watercolor pencils or watercolor brush pens because they are easy to carry and clean up.
Learning a little about color theory can also make your sketches come alive with simple washes of color.
Supply List
- Watercolor set or Watercolor palette
- Nice set of Watercolor pencils or watercolour pencils
- Water brushes + paintbrush set
- Watercolor brush pens
- Small water bottle
Even a tiny palette can create beautiful watercolour paintings in a nature notebook.
Related Post: 30 Nature Journaling Ideas to Inspire Your Homeschool
Observation Tools
Nature journaling is about careful observation. A few small tools can help both younger children and older kids look more closely at the details of nature.
A magnifying glass or hand lens makes it easier to see the patterns in leaves, insects, and tree bark. A simple field guideis also one of the most helpful amazing resources for identifying plants or birds you encounter on a nature walk.
Supply List
- Quality hand lens or magnifying glass
- Pocket field guide
- Durable bag for carrying supplies
- Bird Call
These tools encourage curiosity and help children feel like real naturalists exploring the natural world.
Nature Books
Along with simple art supplies, a few good nature books can greatly enrich your nature journaling experience. These books help beginners learn more about the natural world, identify plants and animals during a nature walk, and inspire thoughtful observations or artwork on your journal pages.
Many homeschool families also use these titles as helpful resources for nature study, and they often become long-time favorites that children return to again and again.
Some wonderful books to consider keeping near your nature notebook include:
- Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock
- The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
- The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
- Reader’s Digest North American Wildlife, one if my personal favorites
- Regional field guides for birds, trees, insects, or wildflowers
- Compact backpack field guides that are easy to carry outdoors, usually waterproof
- Bird identification books inspired by the work of John James Audubon
Even one good field guide can make a big difference when you are learning to notice the details of the natural world. Over time, these books often become some of a nature journaler’s favorite tools for discovering new plants, animals, and seasonal changes.
Enjoy these Nature Journaling Supplies
The truth is, the best nature journaling supplies are simply the ones you will actually bring outside. Start simple and add supplies as your and your childcare’s inerest and skills grow.
For younger kids, keep supplies simple and portable. For older kids, you may gradually add more drawing tools or watercolor materials. Over time, every nature journaler develops their own current set of favorite tools.
Nature journaling is all about curiosity, a few simple supplies, and a willingness to slow down and observe the beauty around you.
