Create a nature scavenger hunt for young children (and kids with special needs) by making a nature sensory card (or placing the items in a container or on a table) to make it easy for toddlers, preschoolers, and other young children who can’t read to go on a scavenger hunt.
Going on a nature scavenger hunt with kids is a great way to spend time connecting both with children and with nature. It’s also a great way to learn more about the flora, fauna, many varied creatures, and other natural treasures in your biome or neck of the woods while having loads of fun adventuring, exploring, and getting much-needed exercise.
First published on October 10, 2015; this nature scavenger hunt post is regularly updated and republished to improve the content. Today it not only gives you the option of using a DIY nature sensory card and shares how to make one. But also gives instructions on how to use a storage bin, basket, blanket, tarp, or tabletop, instead of a printable or sensory card to go on a scavenger hunt. You might also enjoy going on a Heart Shape Nature Scavenger Hunt. A few other nature hunt variations for kids are included below.
Printable scavenger hunts make it challenging for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, children with special needs, and other young kids who can’t read yet to know what natural items to collect in nature. It’s not easy going on a nature hunt with a printable you can’t read, even if it does have pictures. Besides, using real items is much better for children of all ages because using them provides more opportunities to learn. Scroll down to learn all the hows and whys.
Related: Top 10 Nature Study Supplies
How (and Why) To Go On A Nature Scavenger Hunt without a Printable
A nature scavenger hunt that doesn’t rely on printables offers a flexible, interactive, and immersive learning experience that can be tailored to suit a wide range of educational goals and learning styles. This outdoor activity idea can benefit teachers and students because it encourages creativity, observation, and engagement with the natural world more than a printable ever could.
Because my daughter was only two and a half years old when she did her first scavenger hunt, I decided to create a nature sensory card to make it easy for her to know what to look for and collect on an outdoor scavenger hunt.
It turned out to be a great way to add a sensory element to the nature hunt. Collecting the items and putting them into her basket provided more sensory opportunities. Alternatively, you can also put items into an organizer, or storage bin with or without dividers, a large basket, or spread out on a tabletop or picnic blanket so children know what they need to find to complete the nature hunt. Instructions for all options are provided below.
Best Nature Scavenger Hunt Idea for Toddlers and Preschoolers
My toddler had so much fun playing with and looking at the card I gave her before running off to collect each of the items. But I’m sure it would be just as fun to put them in a bin or basket, or on a table.
Since we did this first scavenger hunt in our backyard it was nice to see her recognize some of the natural items I wanted her to collect, and go right over to where she knew she could find them–awesome! I must be doing something right! You can see her collecting each item I glued onto the sensory card in the photograph below.
Next time we do this nature scavenger hunt, however, I will take her to a spot out in nature so she won’t know where some of the items are. This way, she will have to look for them, instead of only recognizing and remembering them. 😉
Nature Scavenger Hunt Supplies:
- 9 X 11″ piece of cardboard
- We cut a piece of cardboard from a box we saved in our recycle/upcycle bin.
- Alternatively, you can use a storage bin with or without dividers, a basket to collect nature samples for kids to find, or spread them out on a table, tarp, or picnic blanket.
- Construction paper (optional for sensory card option)
- Glue (optional for sensory card option)
- Scissors (optional for sensory card option)
- Nature items collected from your backyard, local park, or out in nature.
- Conduct your nature scavenger hunt in the same place where you collect your natural items.
- A basket or bag for children to hold collected objects and items
Related: Search for Signs of Autumn Fall Nature Hunt
Related: Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
Step-by-Step Nature Scavenger Hunt Instructions:
Follow the steps below to try this fun nature scavenger hunt idea for toddlers and preschoolers.
1. Collect natural items to make a sensory card, or put in a container, bin, bag, or basket.
- Collect an assortment of natural items from the area where you will hold your nature scavenger hunt.
- Look for five to ten items that are in abundance so it’s not too difficult for toddlers and preschoolers to find them on the nature hunt.
- Choose one item that is hard to find as a bonus or a challenge.
2. Make a nature Sensory Card, put natural treasures in a Container, or lay them out on a picnic table or blanket.
- Choose one of the following options:
- Glue natural items on cardboard and make a DIY sensory card. (Follow the directions below if you want to try this option.)
- Put them in a storage bin, basket, or another container with or without dividers. (Recycled containers work well!)
- Spread them out on a table or picnic blanket.
How to Make a Nature Sensory Card for a Scavenger Hunt:
- Use glue to attach a piece of construction paper to a piece of cardboard cut to the same size.
- I cut a piece of cardboard from a cereal box to use for this purpose. Large cracker boxes also work well.
- Glue natural items (from the location where you will hold the nature scavenger hunt) onto the construction paper and allow it to dry.
- Label the natural treasures on the nature sensory card. (optional)
- As you can see in the photograph below these instructions, I used a label maker for this purpose.
3. Give children instructions and supplies for the nature scavenger hunt:
- Show children the nature sensory card, container, table, or blanket with the natural items or objects they need to find to complete the scavenger hunt.
- Explain that they need to find at least one of each of the items they see.
- Ensure that you conduct the nature scavenger hunt in the area where you collected the items and tell them to find the natural objects that match what’s on the card, in the bin, or on the table.
- Invite children to bring the natural objects along on the hunt to refer to, or allow the child to go hunting using only memory. (Optional memory activity variation.)
- Have the child collect a certain number of each of the items to practice counting. (Optional math activity variation.]
- Feel free to give them a reward for completing the activity, or a bonus challenge for them to complete. (Optional variation.)
- We like giving our winning students and friends the reward of choosing the next activity we will do for completing the scavenger hunt or bonus challenge.
- Providing two or three activity options to choose from makes this option easy for instructors and students to implement.
4. Sort and discuss the items the items that children collect:
- Invite your children or students to match the items they found to the items on the sensory card, in the container, or on the table, blanket, or tarp.
- Encourage children to share anything they learned about what they found.
- Ask them questions about the natural treasures they collected to extend their learning.
5. More fun ways to extend this fun outdoor learning activity:
- As a way to extend this fun nature learning activity, invite your child to try any of the following options:
- After the nature hunt place a blindfold on the children to see if they can identify the items by touch. (Optional sensory activity variation.)
- Make a nature mandala or art collage using the items that they collect.
- Encourage students to build something creative with the objects they find.
- Challenge students to tell you something you didn’t already tell them about anything they found.
- Make a nature sensory bin or basket or put the natural treasures you collect on a nature table.
- Put some of the natural treasures you find into bins and add them to the toy shelf. Learn more about which of nature’s treasures make the best toys in our post about natural toys for open-ended imaginative play.
- Scroll down for a few more educational variations for this fun outdoor activity!
Related: Nature Arts and Crafts Printable Activity Pack
Fun and Educational Nature Scavenger Hunt Variations:
- Bring the nature sensory card, or container filled with objects along on the hunt to refer to, or allow the child to go hunting using only memory. [Memory activity]
- Have the child collect a certain number of each of the items to practice counting. [Math activity]
- After the nature hunt place a blindfold on the children to see if they can identify the items by touch. [Sensory activity]
- Hunt for textures, colors, shapes (such as heart shapes), sizes, etc.
- Use a nature scavenger hunt printable instead of a card with real items.
- Go on one of the bird scavenger hunts described in this bird-watching post.
teachers and children who can use and benefit from a nature scavenger hunt without a printable
Here are some of the types of educators and learners who can particularly benefit from going on a nature scavenger hunt without a printable as described above.
Teachers Who Can Benefit:
- Early Childhood Educators: Exploring nature directly can be more engaging and accessible than printables for younger children who can not yet read, such as toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and children with special needs. This nature activity supports hands-on learning and sensory exploration, which are crucial at this stage of development.
- Environmental and Outdoor Educators: These teachers can use a non-printable scavenger hunt to foster a deeper understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation efforts by encouraging direct interaction with the natural items.
- Physical Education Teachers: A scavenger hunt can be an excellent way to incorporate physical activity into learning, encouraging students to explore, run, and navigate natural terrains without needing to hold onto a printable.
- Special Education Teachers: Tailored scavenger hunts can provide a sensory-rich learning experience for students with special needs, offering customizable challenges that cater to individual abilities and learning styles.
- Art and Photography Teachers: Educators in the arts can use nature scavenger hunts to inspire creativity and observational skills, asking students to capture the beauty of their findings through drawings or photographs instead of checking items off a list.
Children and Students Who Can Benefit:
- Pre-Readers: A nature scavenger hunt without a printable makes it possible for young children who have not learned to read to complete this activity.
- Kinesthetic Learners: Students who learn best through movement find this type of nature scavenger hunt especially rewarding because it allows them to engage physically with their learning environment.
- Visual Learners: These students can benefit from observing and identifying various elements in nature without the distraction of a printable, which can enhance their visual processing skills and attention to detail.
- Inquisitive Learners: Students naturally curious about the world around them will enjoy the discovery aspect of a scavenger hunt, which encourages asking questions and seeking answers in the environment.
- Creative Thinkers: For students who excel in creative and abstract thinking, this nature hunt helps foster creativity.
- Students with Attention Deficits: An outdoor scavenger hunt can benefit students who struggle with traditional classroom settings with a stimulating and focus-enhancing outdoor activity that doesn’t require a printable.
nature Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids
A nature scavenger hunt that does not rely on a printable is a versatile educational tool that caters to a broad spectrum of teaching philosophies and learning needs. Sharing the natural items to look for with children before sending them on a hunt for them, makes learning more enjoyable and can instill a lasting appreciation for the natural world.
Removing the constraints of a printed list can also encourage participants to engage more deeply with their surroundings, develop cognitive and physical skills, and experience the joy of discovery firsthand. This is why the scavenger hunt instructions above are especially useful for young kids, children with special needs, nature schools, forest schools, outdoor education programs, and homeschoolers.
With that said, there is no right or wrong way to have a nature scavenger hunt. And there is nothing wrong with using a printable. We make them and enjoy them, as well. The whole point is to get outside, connect, and have fun! Use any of these ideas or find the inspiration to do it your way. Happy nature hunting!
You may also like this list of outdoor nature activities for kids. Several more fun activities for kids can be found HERE.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Scavenger Hunt Ideas:
- Search for Signs of Spring or Spring Scavenger Hunt with Printable
- Signs of Summer or Summer Scavenger Hunt with Printable
- Search for Signs of Autumn or Fall Scavenger Hunt with Printable
- Signs of Winter or Winter Scavenger Hunt with Printable
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