Join a Week of Noticing Nature!
As the world around us begins to come alive again, take a moment—wherever you are—to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural world. We invite kids (and grown-ups!) to find a “sit spot” in nature: a place to return to each day for a week to simply sit, breathe, listen, and notice what’s changing.
What’s a Sit Spot?
A Sit Spot is any place you can return to each day, where you can sit quietly, breathe deeply, and simply observe. It could be under a tree, beside a stream, or even on a porch step—anywhere that feels right for you. Each day, take a few moments to sit, listen, and notice the world around you.
How to Do It:
Choose your Sit Spot: Find a spot that feels comfortable and calming, somewhere you can return to each day for the week.
Settle In: Sit quietly for a few minutes, breathing deeply, and start to notice your surroundings. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you smell? What’s different today from yesterday?
Record Your Observations: Each day, take a few moments to either journal, draw, or take photos of what you notice. Here are some theme ideas you could explore each day of the week:
Day 1: Sounds of Nature – What sounds fill the air? Birds, wind, rustling leaves? Can you mimic any sounds with your voice or body?
Day 2: Colors of Spring – What colors pop out around you? Are there any flowers, buds, or insects showing off their rainbow?
Day 3: Movement & Change – Watch how nature moves! Notice the sway of trees, the flow of water, or the flight of a bird. What’s changed since yesterday?
Day 4: Touch & Texture – What can you feel around you? Touch the earth, a leaf, a tree trunk. How do they feel? Soft, rough, warm?
Day 5: Stories in the Dirt – Look closely at the ground. Are there tracks? Small creatures? Anything that tells a story of who’s been there before?
Day 6: Sky Watchers – What does the sky look like today? Is it cloudy, clear, or something in between? How does it change as the day goes on?
Day 7: A Sense of Wonder – On the last day, pause and reflect on your week. What’s something that really surprised you? What new things have you discovered about nature or yourself?
Why Do It?
Slowing down to notice the world around us helps build mindfulness, deepens our connection to nature, and strengthens our observation skills. It’s also a fun way to tap into your creative side, whether through writing, drawing, or just being present with the beauty around you.
Feel free to share this activity with friends or family, and maybe even create a "Sit Spot Journal" to collect your observations over time!
