The Best Nature Exploration Toys

Buying Guide

Today’s parents are perpetually in search of ways to get kids off screens and into the great outdoors. It probably doesn’t surprise you to know that outdoor time can bring big mental health benefits to children, helping not only with overall well-being but also cognitive development.

But keeping your younger family members engaged enough to stay outside is the real challenge. This is especially true if you have only one child or your children are spaced apart in age. A little one with nobody to play games with might get bored and come back inside early.

Exploration can be a great way to keep your child occupied while also helping with learning. You just need a few tools like a microscope, binoculars and a compass, and your kid can start a new adventure right in your backyard. Once your own home has been explored, you can head to a local park or greenway to expand the research.

But you can stock your child’s kit with more than a few basics. Multi-item sets are available that equip little explorers with everything they need to study nature. Some even come with clothing to make the adventure a little more fun. You might get a vest or hat, and the vest could even have pockets that will prove helpful as your child tries to store everything necessary for the outing.

Of course, once you have more than a couple of supplies, your explorer will need something to contain all the tools in one place. A bag is handy for keeping things contained between missions, but a bag with a handle or, even better, a backpack can provide hands-free storage while on the go.

For new explorers, a guide can come in handy. You can then stand back while your child reads and learns, stepping in only when help is needed. You might even want a kit with a journal so your older child can track each adventure.

• If your child has an interest in insects, you can find kits that will help with that. Those include ways to trap the bugs, along with tools for studying them.
• Learning to use a compass does more than ensure your child will know how to navigate out of a forest or trail. It can also help a child learn the four directions, how Earth’s magnetic fields work and, in general, what a big world this is.
• For families with more than one child or who have play dates regularly, multiple explorer sets, or one that encourages group play, could be a better option than a toy that’s meant for use by just one explorer. Of course, sharing is always a good trait to learn, too.
• The right nature-exploration toys can be great for encouraging an interest in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields prioritized by so many schools. Some exploration toys are developed specifically with STEM in mind and can also instill interest in these fields in your children from a young age.
• Pay attention to the quality of the items included in any nature-exploration kit. Some kits aren’t designed to hold up over months and years of use. This might not be a big deal if your child tends to get bored easily and move on to other toys.
• The age range for nature-exploration toys can vary widely. Some are designed for preschool and early elementary school-age children, while others have a much wider age range that can appeal to children all the way up to middle school.
• Children’s binoculars that are designed for children need built-in protections against being dropped or exposed to the elements. You likely won’t need the build seen in adult binoculars, but if you want them to last, it’s important not to skimp too much on quality.