What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently praise Exploring Nature with Children (ENWC) for its unique combination of depth and accessibility. Cathy Duffy highlights that while it follows a Charlotte Mason approach, it provides significantly more "depth" and substance than competing nature study resources. Ana Willis from "They Call Me Blessed" ranks it as the premier "open and go" nature curriculum for homeschoolers, emphasizing its ease of use for busy families. However, the program’s effectiveness is often tied to the parent's engagement; feedback from the Well-Trained Mind Forums suggests that families may struggle to implement the program consistently if the parent does not already possess a genuine passion for nature study. Despite this, it remains a gold-standard supplement for families seeking a structured yet flexible way to incorporate the outdoors into their weekly routine.

How It Works

The curriculum is organized by week, following the natural calendar year. Each week, the parent leads the child on a nature walk focused on a specific theme, such as "The Harvest Moon" or "Deciduous Trees," using the guide's prompts to observe the environment. Back at home, the child engages in nature journaling, copywork, and art projects, while the parent reads from a curated list of suggested living books. A typical week requires about 30 to 60 minutes of focused activity per day, utilizing the digital PDF guide, a sketchbook, and basic art supplies.

Switching to This?

Because ENWC follows the four seasons, families can start at any point in the year by simply jumping to the current week’s lesson. There are no placement tests required, as the material is designed to be adapted for students from preschool through middle school. Families switching from a more rigid, textbook-heavy science program like Apologia Science should expect a more relaxed, observational pace that prioritizes direct experience over rote memorization.

Curriculum Details

Price

$19 - $35

Core curriculum ~$19 (digital PDF); companion nature journal ~$11; starter bundle ~$35. Print via third-party services or self-print.

Grades

PRE-K - 6

Available As

Digital

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts Art Music Science

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Pacing

Self-paced

Parent Time

30-60 min/day

Student Independence

Needs instruction

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Neutral

Teach Multiple Ages

Yes

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Parent Role:

The parent acts as a lead explorer and facilitator. While the curriculum is "open and go," success largely depends on the parent’s willingness to lead outdoor excursions and model nature journaling.

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: June 2026 by Claude (v2 research)

How This Compares

Considering God’s Creation: While both cover nature, ENWC is a secular-friendly Charlotte Mason guide, whereas Considering God's Creation is explicitly Christian and more worksheet-heavy. - Sassafras Science: Sassafras uses a "living book" narrative approach to teach science, while ENWC focuses on direct outdoor observation and nature journaling. - Blossom and Root: Both are nature-based and flexible, but Blossom and Root is a more comprehensive secular curriculum, whereas ENWC is a focused nature study supplement. - Handbook of Nature Study: This classic text is a reference book that ENWC helps organize into manageable, weekly scheduled lessons.

Getting Started