How to Spark Curiosity and Awe in Nature
The next time you go for a walk with your children, pause to pick up a leaf from the ground. Hold it gently in your hand and remember the wise words of Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
When asked by Watson how he solved a crime, Holmes replied,
“My dear Watson, you see but you do not notice.”
So, channel your inner detective. Really look at that leaf. Slow down, and say aloud:
“I notice that…”
“I notice the leaf isn’t quite symmetrical.”
“I notice the edges are wavy.”
“I notice the veins are more visible on the back.”
“I notice tiny holes and chew marks.”
“I notice the stem isn’t round—it’s a little square.”
What inspires someone, especially a child, to want to learn more?
At its heart, it’s curiosity. And curiosity begins with close observation, but it’s born from wonder.
Wonder isn’t just a feeling of amazement - it’s the drive to ask questions, to stay open, and to explore how things work. It means being fully present with the world around us.
Return to your leaf. Now try asking “I wonder…” questions:
“I wonder why the leaf is green.”
“I wonder why it ends in a point.”
“What tree did it come from?”
“What will happen to this leaf in six months—or a year?”
Curiosity deepens through connection. Ask:
“What does this leaf remind you of?”
You might hear responses like:
“The changing seasons.”
“A solar panel for a tree.”
“A home or a meal for insects and animals.”
“A symbol of diversity—every tree has its own kind of leaf.”
This simple sequence—I notice… I wonder… It reminds me of…—comes from the BEETLES Project at the Lawrence Hall of Science. It’s a powerful tool to build observation, inquiry, and connection. You can use it with anything: a rock, a feather, a spiderweb. It transforms everyday encounters into stories of discovery
How can we promote a curious mind…?
We adults often shut down curiosity without realizing it.
A child asks, “What’s that bird?”
And we respond: “A Black-capped Chickadee.”
And the moment ends.
But what if we said instead:
“Yes, that’s a Black-capped Chickadee. Let’s watch what it does. See how it grabs a seed and flies away? I wonder why… Oh, now it’s perching on that branch, holding the seed with its toes and pecking it open. Maybe its beak is too small to crack it otherwise?
Listen – do you hear their call: chick-a-dee, chick a dee-de- dee? I wonder what it is saying? ”Let’s find out more about chickadees. After a bit of research, here is what we discovered:
In the fall and winter, chickadees gather in flocks. Their call helps chickadees to stay in touch with each other, especially when the bushes are thick and they can’t see one another. The chickadee’s call can also be a warning signal. Scientists have found out that the more ‘dees’ it adds, the more danger it’s warning about. Two or three for a squirrel. But a hawk might earn six or seven!”
“In spring, the male chickadee sings a beautiful three-note whistle that sounds like cheeseburger! That’s his way of saying, ‘Hey sweetie, I’m over here!’ And also, ‘Back off!’ to any rival males.”
Now the child isn’t just identifying a bird - they’re stepping into its world. They’re watching with wonder, listening with intent, and forming a living connection. Every creature, every leaf, every call from the canopy carries a story. Nature is always speaking, we just need to slow down, stay curious, and be open to the countless stories unfolding all around us.
Questions That Spark Curiosity
Here are a few kinds of questions that can turn a simple walk into a journey of discovery:
Observation-Based
What’s the first thing you notice?
What colors, textures, or patterns do you see?
What do you hear, smell, or feel?
What’s moving? What’s still?
Cause-and-Effect
What do you think caused this?
What might happen next?
How could this affect nearby animals or plants?
Wonder and Imagination
What might this be used for?
What happened here?
What would it say if it could talk?
What would it be like to be this plant or animal?
Time and Change
What did this look like last week—or last year?
How will it change with the seasons?
What would happen if nobody ever noticed this?
Open-Ended
What are you most curious about?
What do you want to explore more?
How could we find out more?
Two Simple Activities to Inspire Curiosity
Exploration Dice
Make two large wooden dice. On one, write directions (N, S, E, W, NE, SW). On the other, write numbers (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24). On your walk, roll both dice. Use a compass to go that direction and number of paces. Then say: “Hunker down.”
Ask: “What’s something interesting right here at my feet?”
Maybe it’s a curled leaf, a burrow, or a shiny pebble. The dice bounce you across the landscape—into places you might never think to explore. There’s always something waiting to be discovered.
Micro Trails
Einstein is credited with saying, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
Try shrinking to the size of an ant.
Use 10–20 Popsicle sticks and a few meters of colorful yarn.
Choose an edge habitat—where meadow meets forest, or the base of a tree.
As you explore, place sticks near anything interesting—a slug trail, a patch of moss, a dewdrop.
Connect the sticks with yarn to create your micro trail.
Crouch low. Bring a magnifying glass. Then invite someone on a tour of your tiny world.
Final Thought
The natural world brims with mystery, beauty, and quiet wisdom. It doesn’t demand answers - it simply invites our attention. And when we pause, look closely, and ask questions, we don’t just sharpen our powers of observation, we open ourselves to becoming more thoughtful, compassionate, and connected human beings.
So the next time you step outside, don’t just take a walk.
Take a wonder walk.
Because the more we notice, the more we wonder.
The more we wonder, the more we care.
And the more we care, the more we’ll protect the world that sustains us all