Kids need nature. Nature needs kids.
This idea serves as the guiding light for NatureKids BC, a nature discovery and environmental action organization that helps children form meaningful and enduring connections with nature alongside their families. As a grass-roots, province-wide network of over 1,500 families annually, we delight in sharing new discoveries in nature together and taking care of our nearby natural places and spaces with one another.
NatureKids BC has been a NatureHood member for many years, creating expanded access to nature experiences for children, youth and families — particularly in BC’s urban communities for those families who experience additional barriers to connect with nature.
Even more than ever, kids need nature and nature needs kids.
You may ask — what do we do in the winter with our children and families? Winter is a great time to get out and explore — rain, snow or shine!
Winter may seem like an unlikely time for birdwatching, but for families looking for outdoor fun, it’s a perfect opportunity to connect with nature. Canada’s unique winter landscape transforms birding into a peaceful and rewarding activity, encouraging families to discover the resilience of wildlife while creating space for quiet moments of gratitude and wonder.
As we write this article, we celebrate seven communities across BC that are hosting weekend holiday “Bird Counts for Kids” events with the support of templates from Birds Canada.
During the winter, many bird species remain active, adapting to the colder conditions. Some of the birds that families can expect to see include chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and wintering owls. For more adventurous families, waterfowl like ducks and geese can be observed near open bodies of water. Understanding the birds that brave the cold offers a new appreciation for biodiversity, and birding serves as an introduction to local conservation efforts.
| Populations of Canada’s most endangered species have declined by more than 50 percent over the last 50 years. Add your voice for nature now by sending a personal letter to the Prime Minister, Environment Minister, Oceans Minister, and your local MP. Help protect birds and other wildlife — send the letter! |
Birding in winter is also eco-friendly. It requires minimal resources, has no negative impact on the environment, and encourages families to explore nearby nature trails or parks rather than traveling long distances. Top Tip: research your walkabout to locate any shelter where you can rest and bring your biggest thermos for the hot chocolate!
These opportunities to interact with our neighbourhood feathered friends offer our children (and ourselves) moments of joy and meaning, reminding us to slow down to notice the wonders around us — a life skill and innate gift that all of us could benefit from tapping into more often.
NatureKids BC engages every child and their family in the diversity, complexity and wonder of nature.
NatureKids BC turns 25 years old in 2025! That’s over 25,000 children that have created a memory of a relationship with a tree, a bug, a bird, a river or a garden. And now, more than ever, we are inspired to include as many families as possible to join in the movement that will shift our understanding of the power of local community connections to support our children’s development and family health from deeply connecting with the natural world all around us.
Other ideas for you and your kin:
- Winter Animal Tracks: Visit a local green space or walking/hiking trail and look for animal tracks in the snow/mud.
- Winter Scavenger Hunt: Go on a walk in a local nature trail and do a scavenger hunt!
- Winter Crafts: Enjoy snowy indoor nights with DIY projects or knitting!
It’s never too young to start communing with nature!
