Nature Activities

This collection of Catholic nature-themed activities is designed to help Firelily troops enter more deeply into the lives of the saints and closer to the heart of Jesus. By praying among wildflowers, embarking on challenging hikes, or planting seeds of “yes,” we allow the rhythms of nature and the liturgical calendar to form hearts more attuned to God. Each activity connects a saint or Marian title with a hands-on outdoor experience—cultivating wonder, virtue, and joyful devotion along the way.

A leaders feel free to adapt activities as desired and if your troop creates new activities please share and we will review as an activity to add to this list!

Activity Ideas

1. St. Francis of Assisi – Patron of Animals and Ecology

Activity: Blessing of the Animals & Wildlife Observation Walk

Take a nature walk and observe animals in their natural habitats. End with a mini “Blessing of the Animals” prayer service or pet blessing day. Collect biodegradable materials to create bird feeders or bee hotels

2. St. Kateri Tekakwitha – Lily of the Mohawks

Activity: Native Plant Garden & Prayer Circle

Plant native species while discussing Kateri’s love for creation. Host prayer outdoors and teach simple nature crafts like weaving grasses or creating rosaries out of wood and natural stones.

3. St. Hildegard of Bingen – Herbalist and Mystic

Activity: Herbal Nature Walk & Medicinal Plant Journal

Go on a guided herb walk and learn to identify healing plants. Create a “nature apothecary” journal, drawing and labeling herbs. Make simple salves or teas (e.g. lavender sachets or chamomile tea).

4. St. Isidore the Farmer – Patron of Farmers and Rural Communities

Activity: Garden Work Day or Farm Tour

Help plant or harvest in a community garden. Visit a local farm and say a prayer of gratitude for food and workers. Discuss how caring for the land is a form of stewardship.

5. St. Clare of Assisi – Loved Light and Simplicity

Activity: Sunrise or Sunset Reflection Hike

Hike early in the morning or at dusk. Reflect on John 8:12 (“I am the light of the world”) and Clare’s love of simplicity. End with a silent prayer or journaling session in the light of dawn/dusk.

6. St. Brigid of Kildare – Patroness of the Hearth and the Land

Activity: Nature Weaving & Outdoor Cooking

Weave St. Brigid’s crosses using reeds or grass. Try an outdoor cooking day (fire pit, campfire bread, or foraged herbs). Discuss Brigid’s deep connection to Irish land and hospitality.

7. St. Benedict – Advocate of Balance and Stability

Activity: Outdoor Quiet Time & Rule of St. Benedict Reflection

Find a quiet space in nature and reflect silently for 15–30 minutes. Discuss the Benedictine balance of “ora et labora” (pray and work). Build a simple rock cairn or labyrinth as a meditative walk.

8. St. Damien of Molokai – Servant to the Lepers of Hawaii

Activity: Lei Making & Island Ecology Day

Teach girls to make floral leis from native or garden flowers. Discuss Hawaiian flora and St. Damien’s mission of compassion and healing. Incorporate prayer for the sick and marginalized while crafting.

9. St. Joseph – Patron of Workers and Craftsmen

Activity: Woodworking or Shelter-Building Challenge

Build simple birdhouses, walking sticks, or small outdoor shrine. Reflect on the dignity of work and care for the home.

10. St. John Paul II – Outdoor Enthusiast and Skiing Pope

Activity: Nature Hike + Theology of the Body Reflection

Take a hike or do a physical challenge outdoors. Pause along the way to discuss the beauty and purpose of the human body as a gift from God. Reflect on JPII’s love for creation and youth.

11. St. Gianna Molla – Doctor, Mother, and Lover of Nature

Activity: Wildflower Scavenger Hunt & Family Picnic

Lead a wildflower hunt with plant ID cards. End with a picnic and talk about Gianna’s example of family, sacrifice, and appreciation for life. Optionally collect flowers to press and make bookmarks with inspirational quotes.

12. St. Bonaventure – The Seraphic Doctor

Activity: Tree Meditation + Nature Journaling

Choose a tree and sit near it in silence, observing its details. Read aloud from Bonaventure’s writings about God being known through creation. Journal or draw reflections.

13. St. Raphael the Archangel – Patron of Travelers

Activity: Pilgrimage Hike & Map-Making

Create a local “mini-pilgrimage” route to a statue, church, or shrine. Learn simple map skills and mark spiritual stops along the route. Reflect on journeys in Scripture and the spiritual meaning of pilgrimage.

14. St. Seraphim of Sarov – Eastern Hermit & Bear Tamer

Activity: Animal Tracking & Winter Nature Walk

Go on a winter or quiet-season walk looking for animal tracks or signs. Reflect on how St. Seraphim befriended a wild bear through gentleness. Close with a prayer for peace between humans and creation.

15. St. Teresa of Ávila – Mystic and Lover of Gardens

Activity: Meditation Garden or Labyrinth Walk

Create a small garden space or walking path for quiet prayer. Discuss Teresa’s imagery of the soul as a “garden to be watered by prayer.” Reflect on how to “tend” your spiritual garden with virtues.

16. St. Thérèse of Lisieux – “The Little Flower”

Activity: Little Flower Walk & Acts of Kindness Scavenger Hunt

Walk through a garden or park and pick a “little flower” to represent small acts of love. Create a list of simple, hidden good deeds the group can do silently throughout the day. Share how small things done with great love can transform the world.

17. St. Scholastica – Sister of St. Benedict, Connected to Nature and Storms

Activity: Weather Watch + Prayer for Peace

Do a “weather journal” day—track clouds, wind, sun. Talk about her legendary storm that kept her brother from leaving so they could continue praying together. Create wind chimes or prayer flags for peace and unity.

18. St. Zélie Martin – Mother and Lace Maker

Activity: Nature Textile Craft + Family Picnic

Use pressed flowers, leaves, or natural dyes to create lace-style or embroidery crafts. Have a “Mother’s Day” style picnic honoring St. Zélie’s love of faith and family. Reflect on the beauty of faith in the domestic church.

19. St. Mary Magdalene – First Witness of the Resurrection

Activity: Sunrise Prayer + Resurrection Garden

Wake early for a sunrise prayer service in nature, recalling her discovery of the empty tomb. Plant a Resurrection Garden using moss, soil, and rocks with a cross centerpiece. Write “Alleluia” stones to decorate the garden.

20. St. Rose of Lima – Patroness of Florists and Gardeners

Activity: Rose Planting + Hidden Sacrifice Jar

Plant roses or care for an existing garden bed. Create a “sacrifice jar” filled with slips of paper listing small sacrifices or good deeds inspired by St. Rose’s hidden acts of love.

21. Our Lady of Fatima

Activity: Rosary Nature Walk

Meditating on the mysteries of Christ, walk through a trail or garden while praying one decade at a time. Use natural items (stones, flowers, leaves) to mark each Hail Mary. Pause between decades to reflect on a visual in nature that reminds you of each mystery.

22. Stella Maris – Star of the Sea

Activity: Water Outing

Visit a lake, river, or the ocean. Read a reflection or prayer asking Mary’s intercession for those on life’s journey. Create compass crafts or star lanterns representing Mary as a guiding light.

23. Mystical Rose – Titles of Mary

Activity: Wildflower Crowns

Make flower crowns or garlands from wildflowers and greens. Assign each girl or child a Marian title (e.g., Mother of Mercy, Queen of Angels). Have each one share how Mary shows that trait and how we can imitate it.

24. The Visitation – Mother of Hospitality

Activity: Garden Picnic + Acts of Service

Host an outdoor meal or picnic to celebrate Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Bring a small bouquet or garden-grown goodie to a neighbor, like Mary brought joy.

25. Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Mary, Guide to Contemplation

Activity: Mountain or Hill Hike & Prayer Pause

Hike a hill or mountaintop and reflect on detachment and prayer. Pause midway to read about Elijah’s encounter with God on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19).

26. Our Lady of the Rosary – Spiritual Warrior & Contemplative Mother

Activity: Rosary Trail Walk or Crafting Rosaries from Nature

Walk a path while praying the Rosary, using natural objects to mark each prayer. Or craft a rosary using wood beads, dried seeds, or pressed flowers.

27. Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mother of the Americas

Activity: Desert Bloom Study & Marian Mural

Explore plants that grow in dry places (like cactus or succulents). Create an outdoor chalk mural or painted rock inspired by Our Lady’s tilma image.