Make an Animal journal!
Make an animal journal by safely observing local wildlife, drawing pictures, noting behaviors, habitats, and dates, and adding simple facts and sketches.
Step-by-step guide to make an animal journal
Step 1
Gather all your materials from the list and put them in a small bag or on a clipboard.
Step 2
Choose a safe outdoor spot where you can see local wildlife from a distance and sit down.
Step 3
Sit quietly for 10 minutes and watch carefully without moving closer to the animals.
Step 4
Open a new page in your journal and write the date time and location at the top of the page.
Step 5
Make a quick pencil sketch of the animal you see using simple shapes to show its size and posture.
Step 6
Write one or two short notes describing the animal’s behavior such as feeding flying or resting.
Step 7
Draw a small picture of the habitat around the animal showing plants water ground or trees.
Step 8
Label important body parts on your drawing and estimate the animal’s size by comparing it to a nearby object.
Step 9
Look up one simple fact about the animal in your field guide or picture book and write that fact in your journal.
Step 10
Add color and fun decorations to your page to make your journal entry bright and easy to read.
Step 11
Share your finished animal journal entry on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have a field guide, clipboard, or special art supplies?
If you don't have a field guide or picture book use a nature ID app or printed photos on your phone, replace the clipboard with a hardcover book or piece of cardboard, use any notebook as your journal, and sketch with a pencil and color with crayons or markers.
What should I do if the animals move away or I can't sketch them well?
Choose a safe outdoor spot and sit quietly for the full 10 minutes as the instructions say, use binoculars or stay farther back to avoid startling wildlife, make a quick pencil sketch from what you remember, and estimate size by comparing the animal to a nearby object.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For younger kids shorten the sit time to 3–5 minutes and give pre-drawn outlines and stickers for coloring and decorations, while older kids can extend observations, make detailed labeled drawings estimating size, and look up extra facts in a field guide or picture book.
How can we extend or personalize our animal journal entries after finishing a page?
Enhance the journal by pasting a photo or pressed leaf, drawing a small picture of the habitat and labeling important body parts, writing an extra fact from a field guide or picture book, adding color and fun decorations, and sharing the entry on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make an animal journal
How to make a nature journal so you can record wildlife like a scientist
4 Videos
How to make a nature journal so you can record wildlife like a scientist
Nature Journaling: A Beginner´s Guide
How to Nature Journal in Ten Steps: The Nature Journal Show
HOW TO make Journaling for Kids more fun | Learning With Claire | Kids Activities at Home #journal
Facts about nature journaling and wildlife observation
✏️ Naturalists used careful sketches for centuries; drawing helps you notice tiny details animals cameras might miss.
🐦 Birdwatching is also called birding, and people log sightings worldwide using apps like eBird.
🔬 Citizen science lets kids' observations help real research—your journal entries can be useful!
🐾 Many animals are most active at dawn and dusk—watching then can help you spot more wildlife!
📅 Writing the date and place in your journal can reveal migration patterns and seasonal changes over time.
How do I make an animal journal with my child?
What materials do I need to make an animal journal?
What ages is making an animal journal suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for making an animal journal?
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