How to go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt with Kids {FREE Printable!}

This post may contain affiliate links.

6K Shares

Ready to let your children explore the outdoors? Learn how to go on a nature scavenger hunt with the whole family. Download this free printable scavenger hunt for kids and set up a fun outdoor experience in minutes.

Our new cottage-style home backs up to a winding creek. In only a few short months, my kids have already come to love exploring along the creek banks. Weather searching for critters or collecting oddly-shaped rocks, our backyard is an opportunity to learn, discover, and explore. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer to integrate activities that enrich nature exploration, such as a printable Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids.

Don’t have a winding creek in your backyard? No worries! This Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids is designed for a variety of outdoor experiences {whether exploring a fenced backyard or taking a hike in the mountains}.

Did you know? All of our Scavenger Hunt Games include the picture and the word so that any kid can play, even if they haven’t learned to read.

How to make a Nature Scavenger Hunt

Supplies Needed

Grab the FREE Printable {available at the end of this post}
White Cardstock
Printer and Ink
Branch and Twig Colored Pencils {totally optional, but totally fun!}

Nature Scavenger Hunt Instructions

Download the Nature Scavenger Hunt file {available at the end of this post} to your computer.
Print the Nature Scavenger Hunt onto white cardstock, creating as any copies as you’d like. After all, this is nature exploration acitivity can be enjoyed over and over, through the spring, summer, and fall months!
Hand your child{ren} a bark-covered color pencil, the Nature Scavenger Hunt, and let them start exploring.

How to take a Nature Scavenger Hunt with Kids

First, go outside! And, yes, just about anywhere will do. This nature scavenger hunt includes backyard-friendly items, such as:

Ants
Sticks
Leaves

However, if your heading on a hike through the mountains, this Nature Scavenger Hunt is a great take-along activity, too! Find nature items, such as:

Berries
Thorns
Butterflies

Each time your child finds an item, they can mark an X over the picture. I love to use a set of twig color pencils to complement the nature theme. Encourage the kids to find as many items as possible, or to complete a full row of nature pictures {think five-in-a-row or BINGO style}.

Your kids will have a blast {and you might just enjoy it, too} as they mark off each item found in nature.

Would you like to download the FREE printable?

Find my guest post, and the freebie, at Beauty in the Mess.

[Tweet “Download + print a free Nature Scavenger Hunt to complete in your own backyard! #creatingahome”]

If you liked this activity for kids, I think you’ll also like these posts:

Learn how to make a DIY Flower Press, it’s a simple nature craft for kids (or adults!).

Take the kids on a Nature Adventure! Click over to this post for 6 nature adventure ideas, including a nature explorer kit.

Learn how to make a DIY Kids Nature Kit. This simple project makes a perfect birthday gift, encouraging nature exploration, and creative play.

diy nature kit, field notes journal, live specimen container

Take scavenger hunt games on the road, with a FREE Travel Scavenger Hunt. {P.S. Going to New York? I also have a Travel Scavenger Hunt specifically for New York City}.