This month’s special guest blogger is Joleen Steel, the co-founder of Camping Stick Kids. CSK equips Parents and Christian leaders to share Jesus with children so they can share Him with others. https://campingstickkids.org/
“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1
From the very first verse of the Bible, God invites us into the awe-inspiring story of His creation. The beauty and complexity of the natural world point us to a loving Creator who has given us this earth to explore, care for, and enjoy. As parents, one of the most impactful ways to cultivate your child’s love for God is to guide them in discovering His handiwork through outdoor education.
In a world increasingly filled with screens and distractions, stepping outside allows children to reconnect with the rhythms of nature and marvel at the Creator’s intricate design. By focusing on three key practices—Observation, Reflection, and Engagement—you can help your child break out and explore God’s world in ways that deepen their faith and inspire their hearts.
1. Observation: Seeing God’s Creation Up Close
Observation begins with quieting the noise of everyday life to truly see the wonders of God’s creation. Teaching your child to observe is about more than just looking—it’s about noticing, appreciating, and being amazed by the complex details that God has woven into the natural world.
Start by finding a comfortable and quiet place outdoors. This could be a cozy spot under a snowy tree in your backyard, a warm bench at a local park, or a piney clearing in the woods. Encourage your child to sit still and take in their surroundings. What sounds do they hear? What colors and patterns do they see? What smells are in the air? Providing tools like binoculars or a magnifying glass can enhance their experience, allowing them to study a bird perched in a tree or the delicate veins of a leaf.
Don’t let colder temperatures keep you indoors—there’s so much beauty to discover in the winter! Bundle up and head out to find animal tracks in the snow or frozen mud, each one telling a story of God’s creatures moving through their winter routines. Pause to listen to the still silence of a world draped in white, where even the softest sound—a rustling breeze or a distant birdcall
—feels amplified. Notice the way sunlight sparkles on frost-covered branches or how icicles form intricate patterns. Winter exploration reminds us that God’s creation is vibrant and alive in every season, inviting us to marvel at His handiwork no matter the weather.
Observation fosters curiosity and wonder—qualities that naturally lead children to ask questions about God’s creation. As they gaze at a flower, watch an ant carry food, or see the stars at night, remind them that every detail was designed by God, who spoke the heavens and the earth into existence.
2. Reflection: Connecting Creation to the Creator
Observation is the first step, but reflection is where a deeper understanding of God’s creation begins to take shape. Reflection encourages gratitude and awareness of God’s presence.
A wonderful way to practice reflection is through nature journaling. Provide your child with a notebook and some colored pencils. After a day outside, invite them to draw or write about what they observed. They might sketch a tree they saw, describe the sound of a bubbling creek, or jot down a question about an insect they found. Journaling helps children capture their thoughts and see how their observations can lead to worship.
In addition to journaling, library resources can spark further exploration. Borrow books about plants, animals, weather, or astronomy. Reading books together can foster meaningful dialogue that can answer your child’s questions and deepen their appreciation for the hand of God in all creation.
3. Engagement: Caring for and Worshiping the Creator
The final step in fostering a love for God through outdoor education is engagement. This means taking what we’ve observed and reflected upon and responding in ways that glorify God and care for His creation.
Start with prayer and thanksgiving. Teach your child to pray as they experience the outdoors. A simple prayer might be, “Thank You, God, for the beautiful blue sky and the birds singing today.” Model prayers of awe, gratitude, and stewardship, helping your child see creation as a gift to cherish.
Engagement also includes finding ways to actively care for the world God has given us. This could involve picking up trash during a walk, planting flowers to support pollinators, or creating feeders for winter birds and other animals. By taking responsibility for the environment, children learn that loving God includes loving and protecting His creation.
Finally, encourage your child to share their experiences of nature with others as a testimony of God’s greatness. This might mean inviting friends to explore a local trail, bringing their nature journal to Sunday school, or simply telling a neighbor about the intricate patterns they noticed on a frozen windowpane. As children engage with the world around them, they begin to see themselves as part of God’s plan for caring for His earth.
4. Breaking Out into God’s World
Fostering your child’s love for God through outdoor education doesn’t require elaborate trips or expensive equipment. It begins with the simple act of stepping outside and being intentional about observing, reflecting, and engaging with God’s creation.
As parents, we have the privilege of guiding our children to see the natural world not just as a place to play, but as a living testament to God’s power, creativity, and love. When children learn to break out and explore God’s world, they discover that the same God who placed the stars in the sky also cares deeply for them.
So grab a magnifying glass, find a quiet spot, and let the adventure begin. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the earth is waiting to tell its story—one that your child will carry with them for a lifetime.
Joleen Steel is the co-founder of Camping Stick Kids, a non-profit Christian ministry that partners with camps, churches, Trail Life troops, and homeschool families to disciple kids.
