With more families staying at home and spring in full swing, there’s no better time to plan the ultimate scavenger hunt for kids! Grab your free printable checklist so you can get started exploring.
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As a child, I always liked to explore the woods near my house and see what kinds of creatures I could find. Quite often, I’d spot a rabbit staring back at me or some honeysuckle I could enjoy on the journey.
Ah, those were the days!
During this time when many families remain socially isolated, it’s more important than ever to appreciate the other forms of life surrounding us. It’s a type of therapy if you ask me!
I hope you’ll enjoy using this free nature scavenger hunt as a way for both you and your family to find some inner peace.
Why Every Kid Needs Time Outdoors
If your kids are anything like mine, too much time indoors is not good for the soul — theirs or yours!
According to Harvard Medical School, there are actually six reasons your children need to play outdoors:
- Sunshine is important for Vitamin D development.
- Exercise outdoors encourages more active play compared to indoor activities.
- Unstructured play outdoors improves executive function, which includes problem-solving, prioritizing, and troubleshooting skills.
- Outdoor play can encourage kids to take risks and learn through failure.
- Socialization outside can improve cooperation and sharing skills.
- Being with nature encourages an appreciation for the environment and a greater sense of responsibility to protect it.
Did you read that last point? That’s exactly where a nature scavenger comes into play!
How to Plan a Nature Scavenger Hunt Kids Will Love
With a treasure hunt for plants and animals, kids can pay greater attention to details they might miss on a typical walk in the woods.
A nature scavenger hunt is a great activity for kids during a picnic or hiking trip. For children, it’s like playing “I Spy” while learning about the local flora and fauna in their natural habitat.
Before heading on your hunt, here are a few helpful ways you can help your kids or students appreciate nature and learn to protect the environment. Just make sure younger children understand not to touch or remove the plants and animals without an adult’s permission.
Supplies
- Journal or notepad
- Printable scavenger hunt for kids
- Binoculars (optional)
- Nets or bug jars (optional)
- Pencil
Shop for Accessories
Tip: You also have the option to laminate your scavenger hunt and reuse the sheet for multiple walks.
Discussion Points
Whether you’re in a classroom setting or on a family outing, you can make the most of your adventure by asking kids a few questions about their experience.
- What kinds of smells and sounds do you notice?
- Which items were hard to find, and why do you think that is?
- Are there certain items that are related to each other (like the nest and bird or caterpillar and butterfly)?
- Which animals can live up high in trees? Which live only on the ground?
Children can record some of their reflections in a nature notebook or journal. To incorporate a writing lesson, have the kids describe their favorite parts of the walk in an essay.
One of my favorite ways to remember a nature walk is by creating pressed flowers, which you can learn more about in my article on pressed flower wall art. It’s a great way to bring the outdoors inside, especially on a rainy day.
Printable Checklist for Kids Nature Scavenger Hunt
To download your printable checklist, simply enter your information below. You’ll also receive exclusive VIP access to other printables, including these fun kids activities:
More Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids
Here are a few products and books your kids may enjoy as part of their nature exploration. You can begin by reading nature-related books or take some of these accessories on your outdoor scavenger hunt.
Pin it for later!
Enjoy your scavenger hunt, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram or Pinterest to share your nature walks with me!
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What a fun activity for kids to enjoy outside! When I was a kid, I would have loved doing this.
Thanks, Paula! This would’ve been my kind of activity as a kid, too. I was always outdoors exploring, and it’s one of my fondest memories of childhood. Thanks for stopping by!