Gear Up Get Outdoors

03/15/2026

Our friends over at Oak Ridge Nature School (👋 that's me 😆) are quite excited to share the new ORNS Learning app!

A free activity library for preschool aged children using the same nature based activities used at Oak Ridge Nature School!

Go check it out and let us know what you think or would like to see added!

10/29/2025

NEW FREEBIE!
Looking for a fun and simple way to introduce numbers 1–10 to your preschooler? Our Preschool Number Identification Coloring Sheets are here!

Kids will love counting on their fingers and coloring in each number - plus, it's great fine motor practice, too. Perfect for your nature-based classroom, homeschool routine, or preschool learning space.

Easy to use.
Minimal prep - just print and color!

Download it free now at www.gearupgetoutdoors.com

10/11/2025

POV: You decided to build a nature curriculum business
It started with an idea, a printer, and a passion for helping more kids learn outside.
Now it’s a movement: resources that help families, educators, and programs reconnect with nature, one printable at a time.

10/09/2025

UPDATED Freebie Alert!
Our Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt just got even better!
Now includes 5 printable pages designed to make your autumn walks more fun and educational.

Perfect for ages 2–8, this updated version helps kids explore nature through:
Colors – Find fall shades in the world around you
Objects – Spot leaves, acorns, and other treasures
Numbers & Math – Practice counting and comparing through play

It’s the perfect mix of outdoor learning, observation, and fun!

📥 Download your free updated set now at GearUpGetOutdoors.com

09/30/2025

New Printable Drop!
Our most popular freebie: the Minnesota Backyard Bird Identification Cards now has a perfect companion: Minnesota Backyard Bird Coloring Cards!

These coloring cards let kids:
Explore bird features up close
Reinforce identification skills through hands-on art
Build observation and focus while having fun

Use them alongside the ID cards for nature journaling, quiet time, or as an engaging way to spark curiosity about the birds right outside your window.

📥 Download the new coloring cards free at GearUpGetOutdoors.com

Because learning about nature should be simple, fun, and full of wonder.

09/18/2025

Our free fall scavenger hunt printable in action today!

This school-age homeschool group explored the trails of and checked off everything on the list in just over an hour.

A few rules were set in place to slow down and pace themselves, including:

1. Everyone had to see the item before they could all check it off

2. They could only check off one item per stop, encouraging movement and time to talk about each find as they walked the trails

It looks like it was a hit! Thank you, kids, for testing it out today!

09/18/2025

Free Fall Printable!
Looking for a simple way to make your autumn walks more engaging? Our Fall Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt is here!

This printable is perfect for:
🍁 Preschoolers & early learners
🍄 Homeschool families
🌳 Outdoor classrooms or nature playdates

Kids can search for mushrooms, acorns, colorful leaves, and more while exploring the season’s changes. It’s an easy, screen-free way to encourage observation, movement, and wonder outdoors.

📥 Download your free scavenger hunt at gearupgetoutdoors.com and start your fall adventure today!

09/15/2025

New Freebie Alert!
We’re excited to share our brand-new Minnesota Plant Identification Cards! Created to help kids (and adults!) explore, observe, and learn about the plants around us.

Perfect for:
🍃 Preschool & homeschool nature study
🌱 Hands-on outdoor exploration
📚 Nature tables or circle time prompts

Print, cut, and laminate for a durable, go-anywhere resource that sparks curiosity and builds plant knowledge year-round.

📥 Download yours tomorrow (9/15) at GearUpGetOutdoors.com and start your plant ID adventures!

09/08/2025

It's Bird Week! Get your free printable bird identification cards under our Free Resources tab! Www.gearupgetoutdoors.com

It's Bird Week at Oak Ridge Nature School!

All 16 of these birds are regulars out here in these woods, making this a perfect opportunity to learn how to identify them here and at home.

When children can connect their learning to their environment, it just clicks so much easier and it's so fun to hear them excitedly share which ones they see in their own backyards.

Which bird is your favorite?

08/18/2025

Are you providing outdoor gear for your students this year?
Make it seamless for families and sustainable for your program with our Program-Provided Gear & Care Policy Form: now available as a free editable resource! (Word doc)

This printable sheet is designed for nature-based programs that supply gear like rain suits, boots, and winter wear. It helps you:
• Communicate what gear will be provided
• Share your policy for care, returns, and sustainability

Think of it like your outdoor uniform agreement: simple, clear, and ready to customize.

Download for free via the link in bio
Let’s make sure every child is prepared for nature, rain or shine!

Www.gearupgetoutdoors.com under the "Free Resources" tab!

08/13/2025

❄️ New Free Resource Alert! ❄️
We know that making the leap towards running a nature-based program year-round comes with unique challenges, especially in the winter. That’s why we’ve created a Winter Weather Policy Template just for you!

This free, editable download is designed to help programs clearly communicate outdoor guidelines, temperature thresholds, gear expectations, and common sense considerations with families, saving you time and supporting safe, confident cold-weather learning.

🧤 Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refresh your existing policy, this template is here to support your program and your community.

📥 Download yours for free at gearupgetoutdoors.com

07/23/2025

This little cabin (shed?) on the side of the highway inspired me to make some changes to our own indoor classroom at home. Yes, I'd absolutely love to own this little cabin, but our renovated garage is also quite nice, and now it's giving little school house vibes after a bit of work.

Also, any guesses how much this cabin costs? I'll update if I ever find out.