← All hobbiesNature
Nature journaling
Observing and recording nature in a sketchbook — plants, weather, insects and seasons.
Sign in to save hobbies.
Startup cost
Free or nearly free
Difficulty
Easy to start
Typical session
~45 min
Activity
Light movement
Space
Outdoor space or out and about
Equipment
Little or none
What do you actually do?
- Sketch and note what you see outside
- Track seasons in one place
- Identify plants with field guides or apps
Why people enjoy it
- Slows you down
- Combines art and science
- Free and portable
What you'll need
- Sketchbook
- Pencil
- Optional: hand lens, field guide
Startup cost: Free or nearly free — a rough beginner estimate in US dollars (2026). Borrowing, secondhand and library kits can bring it down.
Time & difficulty
A typical session is about 45 minutes. Easy to start: you'll make something you're happy with on day one.
Getting started
- Pick one 'sit spot' you can return to
- Note 'I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of'
- Sketch one leaf in detail
- Revisit the same spot each week
Common beginner mistakes
- Worrying about pretty drawings
- Never returning to compare
- Picking protected plants
Accessibility
Works from a garden, window or park bench.
Courses & resources
We haven't verified specific courses yet, so we're not listing any rather than guessing. Libraries, community centers and the official sites of tools you use are good first stops.