Photo credit: Kate Callahan

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it's a great time to start planning hikes and other outdoor activities. As a photographer, I get so, so excited about photographing the beautiful world around us here in the Hudson Valley during all seasons... but especially during the spring and fall seasons. 

Here are some really fun activities you can do with your little budding photographer. Some of these activities are more advanced than others, but all can be tweaked to suit the needs of each individual child. None of these activities require a fancy DSLR. Any camera (even your old phone's camera) will do.

1. Nature scavenger hunt on a hike - Make a list of 10 things your child is likely to come across on a hike and have her photograph each item as she finds them on the trail. 


2. Flower finding - Find and photograph at least 10 different kinds of flowers. Older children can then take some time to look up the names of the flowers. Younger children might choose their favorite photo and paint a picture of it.


3. Photo Story - Ask your child take a photo of something he thinks is beautiful. Now have him write a short story, poem, or song to go with the photo.


4. Get to know people photo album - Humans of New York is easily one of my favorite blogs! Your little one might enjoy shooting his very own Humans of the Hudson Valley or Humans of My Block project. Have your child take a photo (with permission, of course) of friends and individuals on your block or of people with whom he comes in contact with on a regular basis. Have him ask the individual a question like, "what's your very favorite thing to do and why?" or "what is one thing I don't know about you?" He can then write the answer down and save it with the photos. Less shy children might jump at the chance to do this activity, while more reserved little ones may need some extra support, though may find they enjoy it after they get started.


5. ABC activity - Have your child take a photo of something that starts with every letter of the alphabet. 


6. Color scavenger hunt - Kids can pick their favorite color and photograph 20 things that are all that color.


7. Make postcards - Invite your child to take a photo of a beautiful scene that she wants to share with her friends and family. Then help her to upload it to a site like vistaprint.com and print postcards to send to family and friends.


8. Three times a day - Help your child to see how much light can change an area! Have him photograph the exact same location right after sunrise, at noon and then two hours before sunset. Of course, you can change those times to suit your schedule. 

These days, kids are definitely used to using cameras to take selfies. But activities like these help them to see just how many amazing and creative things we can do with a camera.

Have fun!

READ MORE: Dear Mom with the camera

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