You can participate in nature study without many (or any) supplies, but I’ve found that a few extras are helpful. Here are some of the nature study supplies we use.
Art Supplies
If you are filling in the nature journal sheets that come with Wonder-Filled Days in Nature, I recommend using colored pencil. For years we have used Prismacolor colored pencils. You’d be surprised how much difference a good quality colored pencil makes.
If you’re using your own nature journal to record your observations, you could use a Canon Mixed Media Pad and a Watercolor Field Sketch Box. For higher quality paper, this 140lb smaller sketch book is a good value. You could also buy high-quality watercolor paper and make your own sketchbook. There are YouTube videos available and I hope to write more about this later. In this way, you get the high quality paper, but save on a cover and binding.
Lately, we’ve also enjoyed using smaller sketchpads (pictured below). You may find it less intimidating to have a smaller page to fill.
Other Art Supplies
If you’re doing the art projects in my nature studies, you may need a few more supplies. I try to include projects that don’t involve a lot of supplies. Here are some of the most common, in order of use.
- Acrylic Paint
- Oil Pastels
- Masking Fluid
Pen Suggestions
We’ve used FriXion erasable pens for years. They erase using friction and are great if you want to be able to erase mistakes. They also show up better than pencil.
Lately, I’ve discovered these gel pens. My son actually discovered them for me. He bought a set and it included a pink one, so he gave it to me. When I wore it out, I claimed another one he had left laying around in a drawer. Soon, I was ordering my own.
I love how smoothly they write and feel like they’ve really improved my handwriting. If being able to erase mistakes is important to you or your child, I’d buy the FriXion pens. If you can live with a few mistakes, I’d get the gel pens.
If you are going to be using watercolor over your ink, you will need to use waterproof ink. I prefer the pens with very fine tips. I have tried and liked both Prismacolor Fine Line Markers and Faber-Castell Artist Pens. I’ve also used these for doing the artwork for my nature calendars.
Microscopes
While microscopes are not necessary for nature study, they open up a whole new world of discovery. For example, they are used in this extension activity when studying lichen. We have yet to buy an expensive microscope, but here are two we own. The second one has the capability of viewing and capturing photos on your computer screen. We’ve looked at so many things with ours– seeds, leaves, flower petals, and fabric, to name a few.
Printers
One question I get asked a lot is about which printer is best. If you are buying a digital copy of my nature study and want to print it at home, here are some printer options.
We have a HP LaserJet Pro M477fnw Multifunction Color Laser Printer. We originally bought one new years ago. When it gave out, we found a replacement on Marketplace for one hundred dollars. We use compatible ink. It’s very reasonably priced and lasts a long time. It also prints fast and does a beautiful job.
My top printer recommendation would be to look on Marketplace for a good laser printer that takes cheap replacement ink. You’d be surprised how many people buy an expensive printer, barely use it, and decide to resell it. This not only saves you money, it gives an unwanted printer a new home.
If you are looking for a new printer, here are some I’ve heard highly recommended. The first two are more expensive.
As I said, the list of supplies needed isn’t very long. You also don’t need to get everything at once. This is just a list of supplies we’ve tried and liked over many years. I hope this has been helpful for you.
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