Thanksgiving Nature Journaling Prompts
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to come together and explore the foods, sights, traditions, and seasonal changes in nature. The season is full of details to notice, sketch, and write about, making it the perfect opportunity to record your observations in a nature journal.
To help inspire your journaling this Thanksgiving, here are some prompts to guide your exploration of the season.
The Changing Seasons
Autumn is a time of transition. Plants and animals respond to shorter days and cooler temperatures by migrating, going dormant, or gathering resources. Take a walk and look for signs of these changes. Sketch the plants and animals you observe preparing for winter.Autumn Leaves
Create leaf rubbings by placing a leaf under a page of your nature journal and gently rub a crayon or pencil over it. Capture the patterns and take time to note each leaf's unique features to help with identification.Wild Turkey
Wild turkeys are an important part of North American ecology and a classic symbol of Thanksgiving. Watch for turkeys or use a reference image to sketch one. Note their behaviors, what they eat, and how they interact with other animals. Consider their role in the ecosystem.Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a Thanksgiving staple and a traditional part of the autumn harvest. Draw a pumpkin in your journal, labeling parts like the stem, skin, and seeds.Cranberries
Cranberries grow in special wetlands called bogs. Observe photos or videos of a cranberry bog or, if possible, visit one. Sketch what you see in your journal. Consider how the bog provides a habitat for animals and insects and helps maintain the ecosystem.Tree Nuts
Many Thanksgiving dishes feature nuts, which are also vital food for wildlife. Tree nuts are seeds that can grow into new trees. On your next walk, find a nut like an acorn, walnut, or pecan. Sketch and label the tree’s life cycle beginning with the nut you found.Deer
Deer are especially active in autumn and have long been part of the harvest season and even the First Thanksgiving. As you explore, look for tracks, droppings, or rubs on trees. Draw what you find and label it.Corn
Corn has been a staple of harvest celebrations for centuries. Draw a corn cob and label parts like husk, silk, kernels, and stalk. Consider how corn connects to Thanksgiving history and autumn ecology.Autumn Sunset
Autumn skies often glow with deep reds, oranges, and purples as the sun sets earlier each day. These colors appear because sunlight bends and scatters as it passes through the atmosphere. The sun’s lower angle and cool, dry air create especially vivid sunsets. Observe a sunset and record the colors you see in your journal.
Download a FREE Printable Version of My Thanksgiving Nature Journaling Prompts!
You can download a free version of these prompts in the freebies section of my website.
Becoming a member is free and simple. Sign up to access a rotating library of seasonal nature resources including the expanded journaling pages for all prompts.
For members, there is an expanded set with full-page prompts. Each prompt has a full page to draw and space to write observations, making it easy to dive deeply into the season and capture detailed reflections.
Check out our Thanksgiving Nature Study Collection for even more activities and lessons for the season! You can also explore these Thanksgiving-themed lessons individually if you aren’t interested in purchasing the entire collection.
This collection includes eight Thanksgiving themed mini nature studies bundled together!
Bundle and save! The entire collection is valued at $42.50. Get the bundle for $34 and save 20%.
Our family celebrates autumn and Thanksgiving to the fullest. Our homeschool lessons are full of fun Thanksgiving nature themes and I’m so pleased to be sharing them with your family!
We’ve selected some fun Thanksgiving-themed nature topics! From wild turkeys to pumpkins, cranberries, and deer, we’ll explore how plants and animals prepare for winter and how we celebrate the season. We'll also marvel at autumn sunsets and the beauty of the changing sky. Through this study, we hope you’ll reflect on the beauty of nature, the importance of gratitude, and the interconnectedness of all life!
You'll receive a 140+ page pdf file that includes 8 mini nature studies, each with a simple guide, and reading list.
I pulled resources from my unit studies to create these 8 mini studies.
Changing Seasons – Autumn weather and how plants and animals prepare for the coming winter.
Wild Turkey – Exploring ecology and cultural heritage of the wild turkey.
Pumpkins – The growth, life cycle, and ecological importance of pumpkins.
Cranberries – How cranberries grow, their role in the ecosystem, and their harvesting process.
Tree Nuts – The life cycle, ecological role, and ecological importance of tree nuts, with a focus on the black walnut.
White-Tailed Deer – The behavior, anatomy, life cycle and ecology of white-tailed deer.
Corn – We’ll take a look at the anatomy, lifecycle, and ecology of corn.
Autumn Sun – The science behind autumn sunsets and changing skies.
These are digital files that you will be able to download yourself after purchase. Please note that the file will expire 24 hours after you access it so be sure to save it right away! Let me know if you have any trouble.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
TERMS OF USE
Please keep in mind that these files are meant for personal or individual classroom use only. You are not permitted to alter, sell, share or redistribute these links, files or printed materials in any way.
Feel free to print them over and over again to use in your home or individual classroom! You are not permitted to share the download or allow other people to make copies of the printed product.
A violation of these terms is considered an infringement of my rights under 17 USC §101, et seq. and you could be liable for statutory damages as high as $100,000. Further, such copyright infringement is a direct violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and International Copyright Law. https://www.copyright.gov/title17/
Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are an iconic North American bird that were revered by the ancient cultures of North America. These birds went from being honored to a dwindling species. Thanks to a concerted effort by conservationists, today there are more than 7 million wild turkeys roaming the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Every state in the U.S. Except Alaska has a stable population of wild turkey! I hope you'll enjoy learning about this proud, distinctive bird.
This study is meant for all ages! I've included activities for preschool aged and elementary age students everything can be adapted for older children.
You'll receive a 36 page pack featuring unit study guide, printables, posters, book, and video lists.
The unit study guide incorporates several subjects, allowing you to explore turkeys from multiple perspectives. Subjects covered include science, social studies, language arts, math, and art.
WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE:
Unit Study Guide
Anatomy Poster
Anatomy Worksheet
Life Cycle Poster
Life Cycle Three-Part Cards
Life Cycle Word Match
Life Cycle Worksheet
Count & Clip Cards
Public Domain Poetry
Copy Work
Cutting Writing Practice
Art Study Cards
Nature Journal Example Page
How to Draw an Turkey
Coloring Page
and more!
These are digital files that you will be able to download yourself after purchase. Please note that the file will expire 24 hours after you access it so be sure to save it right away! Let me know if you have any trouble.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
TERMS OF USE:
Please keep in mind that these files are meant for personal or individual classroom use only. You are not permitted to alter, sell, share or redistribute these links, files or printed materials in any way.
Feel free to print them over and over again to use in your home or individual classroom! You are not permitted to share the download or allow other people to make copies of the printed product.
A violation of these terms is considered an infringement of my rights under 17 USC §101, et seq. and you could be liable for statutory damages as high as $100,000. Further, such copyright infringement is a direct violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and International Copyright Law. https://www.copyright.gov/title17/
Corn is not only a vital crop for people and wildlife, but it also plays an important role in Thanksgiving traditions.
In this 20+ page PDF, you'll dive into the biology, ecology, and cultural significance of corn. Explore how corn grows, its ecological role, and its place in history.
What’s Inside:
This comprehensive digital download includes everything you need for a complete corn nature study:
Extend the Lesson Guide
Reading List
Anatomy of a Corn Plant Worksheet
Ear of Corn Anatomy & Word Search
Corn Life Cycle Diagram
Fun Corn Facts
Corn Ecology & Food Web Lesson
Public Domain Poetry
Picture Study
These are digital files that you will be able to download yourself after purchase. Please note that the file will expire 24 hours after you access it so be sure to save it right away! Let me know if you have any trouble.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
TERMS OF USE
Please keep in mind that these files are meant for personal or individual classroom use only. You are not permitted to alter, sell, share or redistribute these links, files or printed materials in any way.
Feel free to print them over and over again to use in your home or individual classroom! You are not permitted to share the download or allow other people to make copies of the printed product.
A violation of these terms is considered an infringement of my rights under 17 USC §101, et seq. and you could be liable for statutory damages as high as $100,000. Further, such copyright infringement is a direct violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and International Copyright Law. https://www.copyright.gov/title17/
Cranberries are a Thanksgiving staple with a fascinating natural history. Let’s explore how they grow, their role in the environment, and how they’re harvested, as well as their cultural significance.
In this 20 page PDF, you’ll explore the biology, ecology, and cultural significance of cranberries. Learn how cranberries grow, their role in the environment, and how they’re harvested.
What’s Inside:
This comprehensive digital download includes everything you need for a complete corn nature study:
Extend the Lesson Guide
Reading List
Anatomy of a Cranberry Diagram & Worksheet
Cranberry Life Cycle Lesson
Cranberry Facts
Cranberry Bog Lesson
Cranberry Ecology & Food Chain Lesson
Public Domain Poetry
Picture Study
And More!
These are digital files that you will be able to download yourself after purchase. Please note that the file will expire 24 hours after you access it so be sure to save it right away! Let me know if you have any trouble.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
TERMS OF USE
Please keep in mind that these files are meant for personal or individual classroom use only. You are not permitted to alter, sell, share or redistribute these links, files or printed materials in any way.
Feel free to print them over and over again to use in your home or individual classroom! You are not permitted to share the download or allow other people to make copies of the printed product.
A violation of these terms is considered an infringement of my rights under 17 USC §101, et seq. and you could be liable for statutory damages as high as $100,000. Further, such copyright infringement is a direct violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and International Copyright Law. https://www.copyright.gov/title17/