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October might just be the most magical month to be outside in Arkansas. The air is crisp, the leaves are vibrant, and the sky seems to stretch forever. Whether you’re hiking through a state park, exploring a pumpkin patch, or simply crunching leaves underfoot, it’s the perfect season to carry your sketchbook along. I’ve created 25 prompts to guide your October journaling, each one inspired by the colors, textures, and cozy scenes of fall. Keep reading for a few fun ways to bring your October observations to life on paper.
October Nature Journaling Prompts
- Crisp Air
- Pumpkin Patch
- Spooky Trees
- Owl Hour
- Harvest Moon
- Bright Berries
- Sketch a Gourd
- Fall Nesting
- Spider Webs
- Golden Canopy
- Colorful Leaves
- Autumn Aromas
- Scarecrow View
- Trick or Treat Trails
- Pinecone Patterns
- Hayfield Horizon
- Forest Myths
- Cozy Corners
- Halloween in Nature
- Sunflowers and Zinnias
- October Sky
- Sketch a Sound
- Crackling Fire
- Arkansas Autumn
- Magic of the Season
How to Use These Prompts
By now, you may have several pages filled with sketches, notes, and observations from earlier months. October brings 25 new prompts to keep your creativity flowing and encourage you to notice the details of the season. You can move through the list one day at a time or simply choose the prompts that spark your interest. If this is your first time joining in, don’t worry. All you really need is a piece of paper and a willingness to try a few—you’ll be building your journal before you know it.
If you’d like suggestions on supplies or ideas for getting started, my original article on nature journaling is a great place to begin.
Prompt #2 – Pumpkin Patch
Draw a scene from your local pumpkin patch or record the types of pumpkins you find.
Prompt #5 – Harvest Moon
I had a little fun with this one! I began by using a black marker to create a silhouette of a barn and a scarecrow. I painted the sky blue and purple to give it a nighttime appearance. I then added the full moon using oil pastels.
Prompt #11 – Colorful Leaves
Painting with broccoli is a great way to capture the colorful leaves of October. Begin by drawing or painting a tree trunk with branches. Squirt small amounts of red, yellow and orange paint onto a paper plate and grab a piece of fresh broccoli. Dip the broccoli into the paint and stamp it onto the tree to make colorful leaves. The kids will love it, but it’s so much fun for all ages!
Nature journals can be very personal, but if you’d like to share some of your pages with us on Instagram, you can use #onlyinarknature and tag @onlyinark. If you share a post, we may feature it in an upcoming article. Check back soon for November nature prompts. Until then, Happy Journaling!
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