Nature Pack
We've recently put together a nature pack, of sorts, that will be ready to go out for many explorations, we hope. Here are some of the things that are waiting to be put to use. Although I am sure we will realize our need of more, I hope this list will help you as you may beginning a nature study of your own.
1. a backpack- after considering all the different options for our nature pack, I felt that, for us, a backpack would be most practical. I like that it is a hands free option. However, there are several great options of "Rubbermaid-like containers" out there you might prefer.
This is a great one from Lands End.
I like that it has several compartments for storing tools, snacks, water bottles, whatever is needed. Also, I noticed, it is on sale right now AND there is 25% off sale going on on top of that.
2. a flashlight
Although this is not the exact flashlight we purchased, you get the point. We purchased ours at Target. The kids and I looked at all the choices they had to offer, compared prices and decided that we liked the Life Gear See and Be Seen LED flashlight. It offers a 3- light flasher: a red light, a red flasher and a standard light. Not that I foresee being stranded in a forest with my children, but hey, you never know when a red flashing light could come in handy, right?3. plastic containers
When out on nature hikes and walks, one never knows what they will find. How much nicer would it be to have some handy little plastic containers to place your finds rather than having to use your one year old's Sippy cup to store a really cool bug that "we just can't let get away"... hypothetically, of course, (okay, so yes, this did happen recently and yes, I sanitized the cup thoroughly.)
4. clipboards, paper and pencils 
These enable my children to sit and sketch or write about what they see. Although they take up a bit of space in our bag, I find that it is well worth that space "lost". We don't have to worry about finding a clean, dry spot to rest their papers in order to draw. This makes it super easy. 5. camera
How nice to be able to quickly capture a crawling creature or a bird that may get away before we can sketch him and look him up in our nature guide. Obviously, you will want to have your camera in a waterproof or safe case of some sort inside of your nature pack.
6. Construction paper and hairspray
Definitely include a small can of hairspray and several sheets of construction paper (dark in color) so that when you come across a beautiful spider's web you can capture it to observe later in more detail. There may be a post later as to how we did this.
7. Snacks and water
We chose individual packets of peanuts and water bottles. I will add raisins and a few other small, individually wrapped snacks for times when we "get into" our hikes and are out longer than we had planned.
8. Wet wipes
These come in very handy when dirty, sticky fingers are the case. I recommend having a plastic resealable bag to place your garbage in.
9. Sunscreen and bug repellent
I, personally, like the non-chemical versions of bug repellent. I am hoping to try this recipe for home made, chemical free bug repellent; if it is successful, I'll let you all know.
