All Activities
Make a Spring Journal!

Make a Spring Journal!
Green highlight

Make a spring journal to record observations, press leaves and flowers, sketch nature, track weather, and decorate pages with drawings and labels.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make a spring journal

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to Start a Spring Nature Journal for Children | Springtime Activities for Children | Twinkl

What you need
Adult supervision required, clear tape, coloring materials, extra plain paper for pressing, glue stick, heavy books, notebook or stack of plain paper, pencil, scissors, small envelope or plastic sleeve, stickers or labels

Step 1

Gather all the materials from the list and bring them to your workspace.

Step 2

Choose a notebook or fold and stack plain pages to make a small book to be your journal.

Step 3

Write "My Spring Journal" on the cover to give your book a title.

Step 4

Draw a big bright spring picture on the cover to make it cheerful.

Step 5

On each page write the headings Date Weather Location Sketch Notes at the top.

Step 6

Go outside and carefully collect a few small flat leaves or thin flowers that are not wet or mushy.

Step 7

Place each leaf or flower between two sheets of extra plain paper to protect it.

Step 8

Slide the paper packets into a heavy book and put more heavy books on top.

Step 9

Leave the pressed plants undisturbed for 5 to 7 days so they dry flat.

Step 10

While you wait, take one journal page outside and make a quick pencil sketch of a plant you like.

Step 11

Write one short observation about what you notice by the sketch such as color scent or where it was growing.

Step 12

When the plants are dry and flat remove them carefully from the book.

Step 13

Use small dots of glue to attach each pressed specimen to a page in your journal.

Step 14

Write the plant name and the date beside each glued specimen and then decorate the page with drawings stickers and color.

Step 15

Share your finished spring journal on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have a heavy book or extra plain paper for pressing the plants?

If you don't have a heavy book, press the plant packets under a stack of magazines or a board weighted with bricks or canned goods, and substitute clean printer paper or coffee filters for the extra plain paper.

What should we do if the leaves feel damp or start to go mushy during the 5 to 7 day pressing step?

If leaves are still damp after 5–7 days, take them out, replace the extra plain paper with dry sheets, move the paper packets to a warmer, drier spot, and discard any mushy specimens to prevent mold.

How can we adapt the activity for younger children or for older kids who want more challenge?

For younger children, pre-write the headings (Date Weather Location Sketch Notes) and have an adult handle the pressing and gluing while the child adds simple sketches and stickers, and for older kids have them research and write scientific names, detailed habitat notes, and longer observations beside each glued specimen.

What are some ways to enhance or personalize our finished spring journal beyond decorating the pages?

To extend the project, glue a clear sleeve or pocket inside the back cover to hold extra specimens or labels, photograph and paste images next to each glued plant, add a small location map and magnified sketches, then decorate the cover and share the finished spring journal on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a spring journal

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How To Draw A Spring Tree House for Kids and Beginners

4 Videos

Facts about nature journaling

📓 Charles Darwin and many famous naturalists kept detailed nature journals filled with observations and sketches.

🌦️ Keeping a simple daily weather log (temperature, rain, cloud cover) through a season can reveal surprising local patterns.

🍃 Phenology is the study of seasonal events—tracking first blooms and leaf-out dates helps scientists understand climate change.

🌼 Pressed flowers and leaves stored flat and dry can stay preserved for decades; some herbarium specimens are over 200 years old.

🎨 Quick field sketches with labels are powerful: botanical illustrators and scientists use them to capture identifying details for species ID.

How do you make a spring journal?

To make a spring journal, start with a sturdy notebook or scrapbook and decorate the cover. Divide pages into sections for date, location, weather, sketches, pressed specimens and notes. When outside, record the date/time and weather, sketch plants or insects, write short observations, and carefully collect small, flat leaves or flowers. Press specimens between wax paper and heavy books or use a plant press; label each with date and location. Add photos, stickers, or field guide IDs to enrich en

What materials do I need for a spring journal?

Materials you'll need include a blank notebook or scrapbook, pencils and erasers, colored pencils or markers, glue and tape, scissors, wax or blotting paper and heavy books (or a small plant press) for pressing, envelopes or small bags, labels or sticky notes, a magnifying glass, a camera or phone for photos, and a simple field guide or plant ID app. Optional extras: stickers, washi tape, a ruler, and a weather chart to record daily conditions.

What ages is a spring journal suitable for?

This activity suits a wide range: toddlers (with close adult help) can stick leaves and scribble; preschoolers (ages 3–5) enjoy simple observations and decorating; school-age children (5–10) can sketch, label, and press specimens with supervision; older kids and teens (11+) can keep detailed entries, track weather patterns, identify species, and turn the journal into a mini science project. Adjust expectations and safety (no touching unknown plants) according to age and skill level.

What are the benefits and safety tips for a spring journal?

Keeping a spring journal builds observation and science skills, handwriting and drawing practice, seasonal awareness, curiosity, and patience. It encourages outdoor time, mindfulness, and long-term tracking of changes in plants and weather. Journaling also strengthens fine motor skills and vocabulary as children label finds. Safety reminders: avoid poisonous or protected plants, wash hands after handling specimens, never pick plants in restricted areas, and supervise small children when using sc
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.