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A Pocketful of Wonder: 50 Hands-On Adventures for Kids to Discover God's Creation

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Invite Kids to Delight in the Wonder All around Them

In a world increasingly dependent upon screens and technology, it's as crucial as it is countercultural to help kids capture the natural joys and treasures each day holds. Written and illustrated by mom of four, former teacher, and award-winning author Amanda Dykes, this family-friendly field guide offers fifty low-prep or no-prep hands-on activities that invite children and their caregivers to spot the wonders of God's creation. Taking a multisensory approach, each entry

· incorporates physical activity, art, music, poetry, exploration, Scripture, and prayer
· appeals to a vast array of personalities, interests, learning types, and abilities
· offers tools to see and magnify the meaning God has woven into this world
· fills little hearts with hope while pointing to a Creator who loves them very much

Small in size but big in impact, A Pocketful of Wonder is an adventure-filled guide that encourages parents, caregivers, and young children to see and explore our amazing world.

176 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

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168 people want to read

About the author

Amanda Dykes

15 books1,347 followers
Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She's the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award), All the Lost Places (starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. Find her online at amandadykes.com.

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Laura (Laura and Literature).
343 reviews19 followers
July 26, 2025
This book is so much fun! Not just for summer, but all year long.

My kiddos participated in the mud volcano activity with the author herself 😍 and it was a blast!

My daughter and I are currently working on a seasonal project - we are taking a picture of our favorite tree at the beginning of each season. Once all four are taken, we’ll compare!

Definitely recommend this book for the whole family!
Profile Image for Gel.
232 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2025
This is a practical, helpful, BEAUTIFUL book of “50 hands on adventures for kids to discover God’s creation”. Categories include: sky, water, earth, wild things, growing things, along the way, seasons, day, night, and journey’s end; so no matter what you are doing, there is a prompt in this book you could use!

Each prompt is divided into five sections:
Pause - a poem to read aloud
Ponder - some facts about your prompt and a connection to God
Pray - a guided prayer
Play - a fun activity to do together
Pair - a classical song to listen to while adventuring and a verse to read

We’ve been using this sporadically this summer, but there is enough content that this little book could probably be it’s own nature curriculum 🌷

Thank you @readbakerbooks @bethany_house_nonfiction and @amanda_spins_stories for this sweet little book in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Carrie Schmidt.
Author 1 book486 followers
April 19, 2025
What a darling book! As a former third grade teacher and a self-proclaimed ‘cool aunt’, I could immediately see what a treasure this resource is for adults who long to help the children in their lives fall in love with God. In this world of video games and CGI, to be able to gently point little hearts to the wonders that He’s created (and make them actually want to lift their eyes from a screen to experience these ‘wonder-full’ moments with you) is priceless.

Amanda Dykes is known for bringing fictional stories to life with poetic prose and heartfelt plots, each novel a thoughtful reflection of THE Story. In A Pocketful of Wonder, she channels that same poetry, heart, and insight into creating opportunities for caregivers to place children in the middle of that Big Story and help them recognize that Creation is a love letter written for each of us. The book is divided into 10 themed sections – Sky, Water, Earth, Wild Things, Growing Things, Along the Way, Seasons, Day, Night, and Journey’s End – plus a bonus ‘The Adventure Begins’ intro. Within each section are entries covering specific topics (like ‘Sun’, ‘Mud’, ‘Creature Tracks’, ‘Life in a Crack in a Sidewalk’, ‘When Fear Comes to Visit’, ‘Frost’, ‘Morning’, and ‘Stargazing’), and each entry features five simple elements to engage young adventurers: Pause, Ponder, Pray, Play, and Pair. My personal favorite section is ‘Along the Way’ which considers more abstract teachable moments like when encountering joy, fear, waiting, interrupted plans, etc, and encourages caregivers to make every one an opportunity for wonder.

I loved the sweet poems that help us pause and begin our sense of wonder with Dykes’ delightful wordsmithing. As a child, I always loved poetry so this would have definitely appealed to when I was in the target age group (way back in the Dark Ages haha). The little devotional paragraph to ponder and the suggested words to pray position little hearts (and older ones too) to see and appreciate the wonder that the subsequent play activity will reinforce. These hands-on activities are blessedly no-prep or low-prep (with varying messiness levels lol), making them ideal to engage at the spur of the moment when the topic is particularly timely. The variety is fantastic too, and the activities are easy to adapt to your child’s interest, learning style, ability, or special needs. I also adored how the author provides a musical piece (I believe they are all classical) to pair with each entry’s theme – how marvelous to expose children to that kind of beauty as well. The Bible verse that closes out each entry helps children tangibly connect the wonders they’ve been experiencing with the living and active Word of God, and I loved that.

Bottom Line: A Pocketful of Wonder by Amanda Dykes is a valuable and beautifully crafted handbook to help caregivers encourage their young charges to see the wonder of creation and the God Who spoke it into existence. Its format allows you to spontaneously take advantage of teachable moments that come along unexpectedly or to intentionally create space for those moments to happen. I so appreciated the thoughtful construction of this book that allows for different learning styles, abilities, and sensitivities as well as a seamless blend of art and science and faith. This is the perfect resource for parents, grandparents, babysitters/nannies, teachers, aunts & uncles, etc. who are looking for ways to help their kiddos unplug, get outside, engage the arts and sciences, appreciate the evidence of God all around them, and connect His creation to His Word. Spring & summer breaks are coming up, and A Pocketful of Wonder can make them the best ‘unplugged’ times yet!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Profile Image for Patricia Haupt.
25 reviews
March 26, 2025
I really wasn't sure what to expect from a field guide for adventures with the family. This cute little book is not meant to crowd moments of wonder, but to broaden those moments and help us appreciate them more. The way the book is set up is to be easily used on any adventure. Open it up, look in the contents for the topic of your adventure and then use it to enhance and guide your wanderings. Use the five P's (all or just some) to guide your adventure and put the focus on the God Who made all of creation. This would make a great gift for families with young children or grandparents that are looking to connect further with their grandchildren. I'm looking forward to going on some with mine!
Profile Image for Daniellehullreads.
269 reviews
March 25, 2025
This book is the perfect devotional and Nature Study field guide! Each day has five elements: Pause, Ponder, Pray, Play and Pair.

Pause is an original poem, Ponder draws your child into the adventure, Pray is a short prayer, Play is a hands-on activity, and Pair is a suggested scripture and song to go a long with the lesson.

The sections begin with beautiful artwork, and the devotions/studies are so thoughtful. It is truly a beautiful book. My children are now older than the suggested ages, but I look forward to sharing it soon with my granddaughters. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Sarah Dixon Young.
Author 6 books16 followers
March 26, 2025
Second grade science has not been very methodical at my house.


Every day, I hand my son a notebook and tell him to go observe something, draw it, and come talk to me about it. No matter the season, he heads out the door, pencil in hand, compact microscope in pocket, and looks for something amazing.


He never comes back with a blank page. His wonder is contagious, leaving me humming Keith and Kristyn Getty’s hymn, “Don’t let me lose my wonder.”


Amanda Dykes’s latest book has me feeling the same way, and it has enriched our family’s creation appreciation, giving a little more structure to our science classes.


“A Pocketful of Wonder: 50 Hands-On Adventures for Kids to Discover God’s Creation” goes beyond nature study. It is a handbook to help your family delight in reading God's creation as a love letter, and it’s as simple as my unmethodical science class. 


Wait! You might be thinking, like I did, I thought Amanda Dykes writes Christian fiction! When I first heard Amanda on Sarah Mackenzie’s Read Aloud Revival podcast, she was talking about her novel, “Whose Waves These Are.”


Even though I don’t often read that genre (give me middle-grade adventure anyday!), I loved it! 


Amanda’s writing captures the wonder and sparkle of the everyday. “A Pocketful of Wonder” brings that element to the nonfiction genre and is a blessing to families with children. If you’ve never been into nature walks, this book is for you. If you’ve been homeschooling for decades and specialize in Charlotte Mason style nature study, this book is still for you....

Continue reading this review at https://storywarren.com/a-pocketful-o...
Profile Image for Ashlyn Ohm.
Author 8 books56 followers
March 31, 2025
I’m so excited for this book because I can catch Amanda’s vision. You see, children crave wonder. I think back to my early days as a homeschooled kid running wild in the woods, frogs in my pockets and flowers in my hair and all the smiling world around me—and I know that my time of discovering and learning and growing outside charted my course for the rest of my life. Yet today, we live in a culture that wages war on children’s sense of wonder. The cheap dopamine hits of technology, the pressing cynicism of the artificial, the buffers placed between our children and the natural world, and the confines of our culture all conspire to steal this essential piece of childhood—and character formation—from the next generation.

And that’s why this book seeks to turn that trend by equipping kids to look away from screens and begin to really notice God’s wonderful world. This book is part scavenger hunt, part devotional, part nature discovery resource, part art project, and part family keepsake—basically, an all-in-one, choose-your-own-adventure approach to exploring God’s world and enjoying His Word, all contained in a beautifully bound and fully colored hardcover. Complete with prompts for adventure the whole family can engage in, fascinating information to guide children along the path to discovery, and practical spiritual application to follow up, this book reinforces the skills of wonder, curiosity, and attentiveness that our children need to not just escape the vortex of our culture—but change it.

However—don’t let the “kids” part fool you, because there’s no reason why we adults can’t enjoy this resource as well! I’ve bought my own copy and can’t wait to explore with it this spring and summer.

So, in short—if you have little ones in your life, give them the gift of exploration and adventure. And while you’re at it, take a moment to spark your own wonder too.
Profile Image for Mandy.
457 reviews17 followers
April 23, 2025
Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels like a breath of fresh air—for homeschoolers, parents and caregivers, this is one of those books. Designed to foster thought and incite wonder, this beautiful, easy-to-carry field guide is an invitation to slow down and savor the world God has made.

With themes spanning the skies, seasons, sights, sounds, mud, rocks, water, plants, and animals, this book encourages children (and their grown-ups) to pause, ponder, pray, and play. I adore the multi sensory experience it evokes with everything from Scripture to suggested musical selections and creative activities to enjoy!

This isn’t just a book—it’s an educational experience. From its treasure hunt of hidden critters in the illustrated pages to its simple, joy-filled reflections, each page inspires wonder and meaningful connection. The spiritual truths woven throughout gently point hearts to God’s beauty, creativity, and delight in His creation.

What I love most about this book is the heart behind it. Amanda Dykes has poured her time and devotion into making this resource accessible for homeschooling moms like me—offering joy, rest, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence in everyday moments.

Whether you’re using it on a nature walk, in your homeschool routine, or curled up on the couch, this little hardcover guide is a treasure your family will return to again and again.

*I voluntarily reviewed a personal, purchased copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Connie Saunders.
1,793 reviews147 followers
April 3, 2025
I've learned that this author's name on a book cover guarantees a beautiful work of fiction, but Amanda Dykes has taken a new direction. She's written a non-fiction book that caregivers can share with the children in their lives. I had the chance to preview a short excerpt, and I am captivated by what I've read so far!

A Pocketful of Wonder is divided into themed sections, topics, and entries. Each of the 50 entries has five elements labeled the 5 P'S: Pause, Ponder, Pray, Play, and Pair. Dykes offers prompts and suggestions for using these elements and there's also a Bible verse that connects God's Word with that day's activities. I especially love this!

The timing of the publication for this fantastic resource couldn't be more perfect, as Spring and Summer are great times for children to step away from their computers and video games! Grab a copy of A Pocketful of Wonders, enjoy the months ahead, and teach your children about the wonders of God's creation!

I received a complimentary excerpt from the publisher. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I invite you to read my full review at https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....
1 review
March 27, 2025
This is a beautiful book in every way - everything from the guided creative adventures in nature to the poetry and the design of each page was so artistically and intentionally well done. It contains 50 mindful mini adventures that help kids (and the adults too) pause and reflect on not only the fun in nature but also how God's creation is a mirror that brings us back to him. I'm a fan of Amanda Dykes' novels as well so I was delighted to see her release this book and it definitely did not disappoint. I bought a copy intending to gift it to my nephews but I'll have to get them their own... I'm keeping mine. Never too late to indulge the curious child in all of us.
Profile Image for Mary Grace Johnson, Author.
34 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2025
A Pocketful of Wonder by Amanda Dykes is one of the most useful and beautiful books I have seen and will be keeping one for myself and gifting one for my grandchildren! This book is sure to take your children/grandchildren away from the screen and outside to take in the wonders of the world of nature. Not only does it provide ideas, activities, and adventures - but it also points to the Creator of all these things. Pause, ponder, pray, play, and pair are the 4Ps to each element (from the sky to water and earth, to growing things to seasons and more). Children will ASK to do outside time after experiencing each adventure.
Profile Image for Lisa G. Hudson.
687 reviews59 followers
March 25, 2025
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO WONDER

“Creation is a love letter to every one of us. It ‘pours forth speech’ (Psalm 19:2 nrsv), infusing our hearts with the courage, comfort, and hope that comes from taking the time to be filled with this thought: If God can do this… He can do anything!”

The author opens her beautifully crafted book, “A Pocketful of Wonder”, filled with those introspective thoughts. This book, which you can explore with your little ones through the activities described within its pages, feels genuinely inspired. As you delve into it, you'll notice the hand of God woven throughout, guiding you to learn about His wonders through engaging techniques that incorporate art, music, poetry, exploration, Scripture, and prayer. One of the wonderful aspects of this book is that it allows you to select the activities best suited for you, your family, and your friends. It has something for everyone. From what I have read so far, I cannot wait to share this with my grandchildren and watch them as they open their eyes to all of God’s wonders in their world.
Profile Image for RD.
764 reviews18 followers
April 29, 2025
This book is beautifully crafted and designed to inspire creativity and connection. I haven’t made it through all the pages and activities yet, but I’m so impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Filled with sweet poems and insightful activities, it’s perfect for the parent or guardian who wants to help the children in their life to slow down, disconnect from tech, and notice the natural beauty in the world around them. Children (and really, anyone) are encouraged to use their senses and imagination to connect with the natural world and God who created it. I can tell a lot of thought and love went into the design of this impactful book. The cover is reminiscent of a denim pocket— so cute— and the size is just small enough to fit in a purse so you can have it ready when a moment presents itself. There are blank pages in the back for personal field notes.

I was given an early look at some sections of the book. A positive review was not required. (Update: I have explored the completed book further after checking it out at my library :)
Profile Image for Nicole Goodrum.
121 reviews7 followers
July 22, 2025
Wow! I absolutely LOVED the excerpt I read (gifted to me by the author. Thanks, Ms. Dykes!). There's so many aspects that I enjoyed; the poems were well-written with a biblical point of view, the activities are simple and promising, and wonder is infused into every page - in the illustrations and hidden details. I know every little child (aimed towards 3-7 year olds, but honestly, with very small adjustments, younger and older would absolutely enjoy) who goes through this book with their caregiver will have so much fun adventuring and noticing and wondering. My favorite part is that every activity points to the Lord, His awesome power, and cultivating awe and excitement for the Creator of the universe at such a young age . <3

To me, A Pocketful of Wonder is a magical treasure box waiting to be opened!
28 reviews
March 27, 2025
A Pocketful of Wonder is a treasure trove of adventures to be had. Each entry contains a whimsical poem, wonder-inducing prompt, prayer, hands-on activity, befitting musical selection, and corresponding Scripture. Sure to result in hours of outdoor revelry for you and your 3-7 year-old!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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