Get children outside to explore (and learn) with these fun and educational nature scavenger hunt ideas!
A nature scavenger hunt is an outdoor activity where participants search for specific natural items or observations based on a prepared list or particular collection of treasures to find and match. These might include objects like acorns, feathers, various types of leaves, or signs of wildlife, such as animal tracks or bird songs. An outdoor scavenger hunt can be designed for an individual or a large group and is often used as an engaging way for kids and adults of all ages to explore the great outdoors and learn more about the world around them.
Some versions focus on visual discovery, while others, such as the signs of the seasons’ scavenger hunts for spring, summer, winter, and autumn, incorporate other senses, including touch, sound, and smell, to deepen sensory engagement with the environment. Scavenger hunts can also be classified by color, shape, or type, where one looks for heart-shaped treasures or natural items of a specific color or type.
This outdoor activity guide will help you set up and make your own nature scavenger hunt for children (and kids with special needs) by making a nature sensory card with the clues on it (similar to the one shown in the photo below) or by placing the natural items in a container or on a table for children to investigate before hunting for them. This makes it easy for all children to participate, even those who may not be able to read, such as toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners, with the step-by-step instructions below. This type of nature scavenger hunt is perfect for helping kids of all ages learn more about the natural world around them — naturally! Even older kids will enjoy this type of outdoor scavenger hunt. You might also enjoy this list of outdoor activities for kids.
Purpose and Benefits Of Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunts:
Nature scavenger hunts serve multiple purposes. They encourage participants—especially children—to connect with the natural world in an active, hands-on way. By focusing attention on specific elements of nature, these hunts foster observation skills, curiosity, and an understanding of ecosystems and biodiversity.
They’re commonly used in educational settings, camps, or family outings as both a recreational and instructional tool. Beyond education, they provide an opportunity to enjoy time outdoors, reduce stress, and foster teamwork through shared exploration and discovery. You might also enjoy keeping a nature notebook or journal.
Invite children on an Easy outdoor scavenger hunt in your backyard, neighborhood, or out in nature:
Going on a nature scavenger hunt outdoors with kids is a great way to spend quality time connecting with your children and the natural world. It’s also a great way to help children learn more about the flora, fauna, wild creatures, and other natural treasures in their local area or biome. Outdoor scavenger hunts make it loads of fun to adventure, explore, burn off energy, and get much-needed exercise.
First published on October 10, 2015, this nature scavenger hunt post is regularly updated to improve the content. Today, it not only gives you the option of using a DIY nature sensory card but also shares how to make one. It also provides instructions on how to use a storage bin, basket, blanket, tarp, or tabletop as an alternative to a printable or sensory card, making it easier for pre-readers and kids with learning disabilities to participate in an outdoor scavenger hunt. You might also enjoy sending kids outside to look for natural items perfect for a sensory bin or basket. A few other nature hunt variations for kids are included at the bottom of this post.
Printable scavenger hunts are fantastic, but they can be challenging for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, children with special needs, and other young children who are still learning to read, as they may struggle to identify the clues they need to collect in nature to complete the hunt. It’s not easy going on a nature hunt with a printable that’s challenging to read, even if it does have pictures. Additionally, using real items is beneficial for children of all ages because it stimulates the sensory system and provides several other learning opportunities. 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 relies on natural clues rather than 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.Â
It also makes it easy to send the kids on a scavenger hunt anywhere at any time, such as while at the beach, park, or out on a camping trip, by placing a few natural items as clues for them to look for on a picnic table, blanket, or towel. Because my daughter was only two and a half years old when she participated in her first scavenger hunt, I decided to create a nature sensory card to help her identify what to look for and collect during an outdoor scavenger hunt. It turned out to be a great way to add a sensory element to the nature hunt.
Collecting the matching nature items and placing them in her basket provided additional 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.
Optional Nature Scavenger Hunt Supplies:
Use the optional supplies below, along with a few natural items (collected in step one below), to help children learn what to look for on an outdoor scavenger hunt in your backyard, neighborhood, local park, on the beach, while camping, or anywhere else in the natural world. Please read through the step-by-step instructions below to make a more informed choice about whether or not you will use any of these optional materials:
- 9 X 11″ piece of cardboard:
- I cut a piece of cardboard from a box that I had saved in our upcycling bin.
- Alternatively, you can use a storage bin with or without dividers, place them in a small cardboard box (shoe boxes work well for this purpose), or use a basket to collect nature samples for kids to find.
- You can also spread them out on a table, tarp, or picnic blanket to make it easy for children to investigate each item before sending them on a search.
- Construction paper (optional for the sensory card option)
- Glue (optional for sensory card option)
- Scissors (optional for sensory card option)
- Nature items collected from your backyard, neighborhood, 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:Â Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
Step-by-Step Nature Scavenger Hunt Instructions:
Invite kids of all ages on an outdoor nature scavenger hunt by placing natural items to look for a nature sensory card in a bin (or another container) or on a table or blanket. This makes it possible for children of all ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, and other pre-readers, to go on a nature hunt. Several alternative variations and creative learning ideas are included to extend this forest school nature study activity for kids. The steps below share how to set up a nature scavenger hunt for kids of all ages:
1. Collect natural items to create a sensory card or store them in a container, bin, bag, or basket:
- Collect an assortment of natural items from the area where you will hold your nature scavenger hunt. These treasures will serve as the clues they need to find on the hunt.
- Look for five to ten items in your backyard, neighborhood, local park, at the beach, on a camping trip, or anywhere else out in nature that are abundant.
- This will make it easier for kids from toddlers to teens to find them during the nature hunt.
- Choose one item that is hard to find as a bonus or a challenge.
- If your hunt is for older kids or adults, choose a few items that are difficult to find to make the scavenger hunt more challenging for them.
- Examples of nature treasures you can use for this outdoor scavenger hunt activity idea:
- Acorns or acorn caps.
- Pinecone.
- Sticks or twigs.
- Tree bark.
- Leaves, such as a fern leaf, an oak leaf, or a maple leaf.
- Lichen.
- Moss.
- Bird feather.
- Shells.
- Mushrooms.
- Specific herbs such as mint or sage.
- Wild edibles, such as a Blackberry, Elderberry, or Miner’s lettuce.
- Local wildflowers (if legal to be picked).
- Rocks or small pebbles.
- Other local flora and fauna that can be collected.
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 onto cardboard to create a DIY sensory card filled with clues to look for. (Follow the directions below if you want to try this option.)
- Please 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 a glue stick or pen to attach a piece of construction paper to a piece of cardboard that has been 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 (collected from the location where you will hold the nature scavenger hunt) onto the construction paper and allow them to dry.
- Label the natural treasures on the nature sensory card (optional).
- As you can see in the photograph below, 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, objects, and clues they need to find to complete the scavenger hunt.
- Explain that they need to find a match by identifying at least one of each type of item.
- Ensure that you conduct the nature scavenger hunt in the area where you collected the items and instruct participants to find the natural objects that match what is 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 specific number of each item to practice counting. (Optional math activity variation.)
- Feel free to reward them by offering a prize for completing the activity or a bonus challenge for them to complete. (Optional variation.)
- I like to give our winning students and friends the reward of choosing the next activity we’ll do in appreciation 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 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.
- You may also want to encourage students to create something unique with the objects they find.
- Challenge students to tell you something they learned about anything they found.
- Create a nature sensory bin or basket, or display the natural treasures you collect on a nature table.
- Make nature arts and crafts.
- Put some of the natural treasures you find into bins and add them to the toy shelf.
- Discover which natural 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:Â Nature Arts and Crafts Printable Activity Pack
Fun and Educational Variations for This Nature Scavenger Hunt Idea:
- Memory nature matching activity: 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.
- Math activity: Have the child collect a specific number of each item to practice counting.
- Sensory activity: After the nature hunt, place a blindfold on the children to see if they can identify the items by touch.
- Classifying activity: Hunt for textures, colors, shapes (such as heart shapes), sizes, and other elements.
- Printable variations: Use a nature scavenger hunt printable instead of a card with real items.
- Birding scavenger hunt activity: Go on one of the bird scavenger hunts described in this bird-watching post.
Fun Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Activity 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. However, I’m sure it would be just as much fun to put them in a bin, basket, or on a table.
Since we completed 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, 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 matching them up by recognizing and remembering them. 😉
Teachers and children who can use and benefit from a nature scavenger hunt without a printable list:
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 utilize nature scavenger hunts to inspire creativity and observational skills, asking students to capture the beauty of their findings through drawings or by using a camera to take photographs rather than relying on pencils to check 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 printout, 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 them to ask questions and seek answers in their environment.
- Creative Thinkers: For students who excel in imaginative 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 invaluable for young children, 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. I make them and enjoy them too. 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!
Best Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas:
Use this list to enjoy several other types of nature scavenger hunts:
- Sensory Bin Nature Scavenger Hunt
- 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
- Heart-Shape Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
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