Are you looking for a simple scavenger hunt for your kids while they play outdoors?
Now that it is getting to be so nice outside, I put together a Nature Scavenger HuntFor Kids for my boys {and any of the other kids in the neighborhood that want to join in}. I included things that I was pretty sure they could find, although they may have to look hard.
This is also a great activity to do in the fall because you will find a completely different variety of items. The kids will be able to find more leaves and acorns and in the spring they will find more blooming flowers and green plants.
I love these type of activities for my kids, it gets them outside having fun int he neighborhood instead of sitting in front of the television. It’s a challenge for them and they compete to see who can find everything first, yes, they are boys and everything is a race!
How to Create a Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
I laminated their list, so they can use the Nature Scavenger Hunt again {and because I love to laminate everything these days!}. I plan to give them their list, a dry erase marker and a bag to collect everything in.
Here is my list of items I came up with. We looked for things like
- Rocks
- Seeds
- leaves
- Noisy things
- fuzzy things
- Etc.
You can print your own Nature Scavenger Hunt to use with your kids!
Click HERE to Print it NOW! Or on the photo below!
Be sure to check out our Everything for Parents Pinterest Board for more activities you can do with your kids!
More Scavenger Hunt Posts
This will be a wonderful activity for this summer’s program. Thanks
I like thses ideasand will use them in Primary at church and also in my jobas an early chilhood educator.
Thank you
I really liked the open-ended ideas on your list. I used it for a Scout group, but re-typed it smaller and printed it in black and white. (I’m too cheap to use that much coloured ink for a whole bunch of kids!) Great way to increase their observation skills. Thanks!
Featured you on my blog! 🙂 Thank you for posting this! <3
I’m trying to find the printable of the nature scavenger hunt but every link I click on goes to a spam-like website. Any idea why that’s happening?
HI, Mindy! Here is the direct link to the printable. https://www.thetaylor-house.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Nature-Scavenger-Hunt.pdf
I used your Nature Scavenger hunt this weekend for our Sunday School fellowship we had at a local park. Families worked together and had fun collecting each item. I gave points to each item thinking the family with the most points would win a prize. It turned out that each family was able to collect all the items within the time given. So, we awarded the first family back with a nice big pumpkin for their family. Thanks for the idea!
We stopped for a spur of the moment hike last weekend, and I was thrilled to find a copy of this lurking around in my purse…the kids loved it…again, since every hike is different and we can find different things to fit the list! Thanks!
Awesome! I love it! Thanks, Megan!
Found you through The Frugal Girls on Pinterest. I love this list. My family goes camping often. I will definitely be bringing this along on our next trip. It will give my daughter and her cousins something fun and different to do. Thank you!
I found your nature scavenger hunt on Pinterest and took my 2 kids out to have a go at it at the weekend. we had such fun running around doing it and are planning to do one at the seaside in the summer. I’ve linked back on my blog and its my first PROPER blog post. Eek!
I love outdoor scavenger hunts for kids! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely printable! I featured your post as the Free Printable of the Day at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page and on Pinterest.
Thank you for this wonderful printable. Fits right in with my {Spice Up Your Homeschool} Nature Journal post. I'm linking up (http://wp.me/p2C3NH-tN)to this post to share your scavenger hunt printable!
Hi Melissa,
I just wanted to let you know that I linked to your Nature Scavenger Hunt on my blog today. I have created a free graphic to print onto a paper bag to hold the nature treasures kids find on their hunts. Would you consider linking to it? http://from-my-life.blogspot.com/2012/10/31-days-31-smiles-day-9-nature.html
~Kristin
I found this on pinterest and had a go at doing it with my boys, they loved it!
I linked back to your blog on the post I did 😀
http://boysandchickens.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/out-and-about-scavenger-hunt/
Such a GREAT idea – thanks so much for sharing with us! I featured your post and idea on my blog a couple weeks back:
http://sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-family-fun-nature-scavenger-hunt.html
Thanks again!
Laurie
Scene of Sublime Blog
Thank you for posting such simple and no-cost idea!! I tried it with my kids today and we had a blast 🙂 I will post pics to FB and tag your blog, thank you!!
I love the idea of having a nature-themed scavenger hunt! It is a great way for the kids to explore nature. It can help them find out more about their surroundings and understand the importance of nature. You can actually throw in a prize at the end of the hunt so that the kids will know that it is all worth it.
Hey, I just saw your pin on Pinterest and love the idea! Thanks for sharing. I linked back to your blog from mine about this super fun idea!
http://www.sjscrafts.blogspot.com
The link to your file is not working. Would love to have this for this sat for a birthday party. Can you email it to me? amy.teachingenglish@gmail.com
Thanks!
My kids are having a blast with this as we speak. Thanks so much for sharing!
great idea! I want to use that at the next Girl Scouts meeting or party!
Thanks for the cute idea. I'll print yours and use on our camping trip. I'm sure my ladies will love it!
My kids and their friends did this today. They LOVED it!!
Love this!
This is a great idea!! Thanks for sharing at Romance on a Dime!
Could you post your list as a pdf file to print out and use? I'd love to use this with the girls I babysit for, with your permission, of course. 🙂
Hi there! I would love to email it to you if that is ok. Just let me know your email address. Thanks!
I also would like to see it as a PDF.
loved scavenger hunts growing up…will try this for the granddaughters…
if you were to use this idea for a birthday party, would you need to have prizes for the winner?
I think you could do prizes. Or just do the snack afterwards. 🙂
Such a great idea, thank you. The grand kids will be over on Friday. This will be so much fun. I'm a new linky follower. Be great if you could follow me back. Have a woderful day. Diane
I love scavenger hunts. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I did this for my daughter a few years ago, but instead of giving her a bag to collect the stuff in (some things on the list weren't able to be picked up or put in a bag), I gave her the list and a camera.
Love it! That's certainly a great way to keep them busy. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays!
Thanks so much for linking up – you were meant to be at our party this week. I have a nature hike/scavenger hunt to plan with my Daisy troop on Wednesday! You have saved the day!!
Cheers!
Jen @ Don't Mess With My Tutus
Awesome!! I pinned it to do later, I think I'd find pictures of whatever I wanted them to find since they're not reading yet, thanks for the outside idea!!
there is nothing like a scavenger hunt! thanks for reminding everyone how fabulous it can be!!!! LOVE IT!!!! hugs…
I love this, I will be doing this for Jayda birthday party, there will be some bigger kids there, so they will love this.
We did something just like this on Spring Break and few weeks ago. My items were very similar to yours, except mine was just scribbled quickly on a piece of paper and then I gave her a giant ziplock bag. I love that you planned this ahead of time!
Aw thats awesome! I love this idea Chrissy! I wonder if my toddler would do this? Hmm.. I may try 🙂
I am using this this weekend!!!! So awesome!!!!!