Nature Scavenger Hunt

written by GVM resident Terry W. Campbell, BS, MS, DVM, PhD

Children have a natural urge to explore, however, they may become bored when hiking with adults just for the sake of exercise or just a simple walk in the woods or when on a family camping trip. This tedium can be mitigated by a good scavenger hunt, which also provides adults the opportunity to teach the kids a few things about the natural world. Coming up with ideas for a good scavenger hunt shouldn’t be too difficult.

Items on the nature scavenger hunt list should contain common outdoor objects that won’t be difficult or frustrating to find. Adult supervision will be required to keep the children safe and protect the environment (taking care not to disturb animals or the natural world). For large groups, the adults should split up and each assigned to a small group of kids. Again, their job will be to provide guidance, give a hint or two, and to keep watch over them.

Some general rules to follow: Always stay on the marked trail and be careful not to disturb nature around you. Avoid any wild animal that you cross in your path. Be mindful of the time and distance traveled (for example, do not become unprepared for traveling after sunset). Carry plenty of water and a simple first aid kit. Be safe, have fun, and learn something.

A good place to start a list of items for the scavenger hunt is to have an adult(s) explore the environment for commonly found items, such as specific types of leaves, flowers, plant products (i.e. fruits, berries, nuts, or seeds), and animal tracks. Keep in mind that the scavenger hunters will be both entertained and engaged until every item gets checked off the list. For educational value, it is helpful if the adults know something informative about each item on the list. Older kids may desire a little competition that includes a prize or treat for the individual or group that finds the most items on the list.

Most kids and adults these days have cameras, either on their phones or small handheld cameras. Therefore, instead of physically collecting the items on the list, pictures of them can be taken and if desired, kept as memories in a photo journal. Or each found item can be verified by the adult supervisor and checked off the list. Younger kids can draw pictures of what they found and create stories about what was experienced after the hike.

What you may need: A printed Nature Scavenger Hunt list, pen or pencil, and a bag for collecting items (optional).

The following is a List of ideas for a Nature Scavenger hunt that can be modified as needed depending upon each situation, such as age of children and location:

  • Something white
  • A thorn
  • 1 piece (or 2-5 pieces) of man-made litter (trash to be picked up for recycling)
  • A leaf that has been chewed (Leaf with insect holes)
  • A leaf larger than your hand
  • A bone
  • A feather
  • Something round
  • Seeds or seed pod or a seed that is dispersed by the wind
  • A leaf with smooth edges
  • A piece of eggshell
  • Animal fur (dog or cat does not count)
  • A smile
  • Something that makes noise
  • Something sharp
  • Something fuzzy
  • Something soft
  • Something hard
  • Something crumbly
  • Part of a vine (Vine or Poison Ivy)
  • A hug
  • Something with a hole in it
  • Something blue
  • A large leaf
  • A small leaf
  • Something straight
  • Something square
  • An insect or part of one
  • Fruit or berry
  • A long flat leaf
  • A squirrel
  • A dead animal
  • Deer antlers
  • A back rub
  • A piece of bark
  • Tree sap
  • Wildflowers
  • A Dead tree
  • A pinecone
  • A stream or creek
  • A blade of grass
  • A clover leaf
  • Moss
  • A pine tree (or any specific type of tree)
  • Eroded soil
  • A smooth/shiny rock
  • Mud
  • A grain of sand
  • A fern
  • A Y-shaped twig
  • Pine needles
  • An acorn or other nuts
  • A tree with blossoms
  • A hole in a tree
  • A ponded area in a creek
  • A dark or light green leaf
  • A small pebble
  • An unusual shaped leaf
  • A rock with many colors
  • A sparkly rock
  • Something that transports seeds
  • Different shades of green or brown
  • Dew on a flower or leaf
  • Fungus on a tree
  • Something that shows next season is coming
  • Animal tracks (or be specific, such as deer tracks)
  • A worm
  • A caterpillar
  • A bird
  • An ant
  • A butterfly or moth
  • A snail or slug
  • A beetle
  • A water strider
  • A lizard
  • A ladybug
  • A spider web
  • A bird’s nest
  • An insect on a tree
  • An animal hole in the ground
  • A deer
  • A frog
  • Evidence of the presence of animals
  • Evidence of the presence of people

One could also create an “Experiential” Scavenger Hunt using a list like this one:

  • Skip a rock
  • Hang from a low tree branch (for the younger kids, tippy-toes count)
  • Hike to the top of a hill
  • Cross a creek bed without getting wet feet
  • Listen to:
    • The wind in the trees
    • Leaves underneath the feet
    • Sound of an insect
    • Song of a bird
    • Water flowing in a stream
    • A sound in the forest
  • Feel:
    • Tree bark
    • Rotten wood
    • Prickly plant
    • Wet mud
    • Wind on the face or in the hair
    • Texture of rocks
  • Smell
    • Pine tree
    • Flower
    • Mud
    • Green grass
    • Fresh air
    • Cedar tree
  • See or Watch
    • Animal eating
    • Leaf falling to the ground
    • Wind blowing leaves
    • An insect caught in a spider’s web
    • An ant moving something
    • An insect flying
    • A bird flying
    • A bird soaring
    • Fish jumping
    • Clouds moving across the sky
    • Sunlight filtered through the trees
    • A sunset or sunrise
    • Reflection in the water
    • Something funny
    • Something unusual
    • Animal home or shelter

 

Reflections for after the Nature Scavenger Hunt:

  • What was your favorite item?
  • What did you find first?
  • What was the most difficult to find?
  • Did you find something that was not on the list? If so, what made you notice it?
  • What was your favorite sound?
  • What was your favorite smell?
  • What felt the best or most interesting?