20+ Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Looking for a fun activity to keep the kids busy? Outdoor nature scavenger hunts are the perfect way to turn an ordinary walk into an exciting adventure full of discoveries!
We love all of these nature scavenger hunt ideas because they make exploring the great outdoors even more fun! Whether you’re heading to a local park, hiking a new trail, or just playing in your own backyard, there’s something for kids of all ages to enjoy.
These fun scavenger hunts encourage observation skills, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world—all while keeping kids entertained. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers, there is sure to be something here for them.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
Why You’ll Love These Activities
Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep kids engaged, whether it’s during summer vacation, a camping trip, or even on a rainy day when you need an indoor alternative. From younger children to older kids, everyone can participate at their own level. Plus, these hunts don’t require a lot of extra work—just a printable list, a magnifying glass, and a sense of adventure!
They’re also a great idea for group activities like birthday parties and middle school outings, and for special education students who benefit from hands-on learning.
Our Nature Scavenger Hunt Ideas Round Up
Today I have rounded up a list of over twenty nature scavenger hunt ideas! Be sure to go to the original source to download a printable version of many of them.
I love finding ways to incorporate nature into fun learning activities for kids! Be sure to checkout our 20+ Nature Crafts for Kids too.
Check out this camping scavenger hunt printable with free PDF!
A nature photo scavenger hunt makes an awesome treasure hunt. Instead of collecting, take pictures of everything on your scavenger hunt list—a great activity for young children, with a little help from an adult or older child.
This nature hunt checklist is perfect for school-aged older children!
These camping scavenger hunt printables look awesome! Scavenger hunt lists that use pictures are a fun way to give young kids a bit more independence on their searches.
This post contains affiliate links.
Some of Our Crafting Essentials for Kids
- We love using these Apple Barrel acrylic paints to add bright color to all of our projects.
- These paint brushes are ideal for most craft surfaces and are a great price!
- This art supplies kit is our favorite because it has everything we needed to get started.
- This rolling storage cart helps to keep our craft supplies organized.
Saltwater Kids has this great outdoor scavenger hunt idea that includes things from the ocean, like shells and a crab! Kids can explore their environment in a whole new way.
Bring Joy shares a lovely nature scavenger hunt, complete with visuals.
I love this idea of using a recycled egg carton to collect small natural treasures in! A pail or bucket would work too.
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Scavenger Hunt
- Enjoy the fresh air and time spent outside!
- Set a time limit to keep kids engaged and make it a fun challenge.
- Give bonus points for the rarest finds to add an element of friendly competition.
- Mix age groups so older kids can help younger ones with reading the scavenger hunt clues.
- Use a laminated list and a dry erase marker for a reusable printable scavenger hunt template.
- Choose a different theme each time to keep things exciting and fresh.
- Keep it simple—a piece of paper and a paper bag for collecting is all you need!
The Taylor House shares how you can laminate the list and mark nature items off using a dry erase marker. A brilliant way to create fun memories!
The Crafty Crow has a very colorful way of collecting scavenger hunt items using double sided sticky tape. This simple nature hunt is the best way to incorporate color recognition into the activity!
Angenuity shares these fun outdoor hunts that would make the perfect activity for a child’s birthday party. Team members simply collect different items in a paper bag to complete the outdoor scavenger hunt list.
Make and Takes has these scavenger hunt printables that look like a great time!
Fun at Home With Kids kept things simple for younger children.
Confessions of a Slacker Mom has a more detailed scavenger hunt list that would be great for older children.
No Wooden Spoon shares this fun photo scavenger hunt. I’m not sure how the kids would feel about collecting a spider web! The great thing about these activities is they push children to really explore their surroundings.
This is How You Play provides a simple checklist rather than having children collect scavenger hunt items. This detailed list looks like so much fun!
The Jenny Evolution shares this summer nature hunt that gets kids using their senses.
Babyccino Kids has this adorable printable.
East Coast Mommy has a great simple scavenger hunt.
Kinda Granola has another very visual scavenger hunt.
We also have this great indoor scavenger hunt printable that is great for virtual scavenger hunts. Home scavenger hunts can be fun too! Or post one of these on social media for an online scavenger hunt that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
Seven Thirty Three Blog includes a free printable scavenger hunt.
Encourage the kids to use all of their senses while searching in nature with this sensory scavenger hunt idea.
How To Nest For Less shares this colorful scavenger hunt.
Intentional By Grace has a cute, highly visual scavenger hunt that is perfect for toddlers.
This outdoor sensory scavenger hunt is another great option!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nature scavenger hunt?
A nature scavenger hunt is a fun way to explore the great outdoors by searching for specific items in nature, like leaves, rocks, or animal tracks.
What age is best for a scavenger hunt?
Kids of all ages can enjoy a scavenger hunt! Younger children may prefer picture checklists, while older kids might like a photo scavenger hunt or hunts with more detailed scavenger hunt clues.
How do you make a nature scavenger hunt more fun?
Adding a time limit, using bonus points, or choosing a different theme each time makes it even more exciting!
Can I do a scavenger hunt indoors?
Yes! If the weather isn’t great, try an indoor scavenger hunt with household objects instead.
Do I need a printable list for a scavenger hunt?
Not necessarily, but a free printable scavenger hunt makes it easier to track progress, especially for young kids.
My personal favorites are the scavenger hunts with photo visuals, because then they can be used by children of all ages. The buddy system works great for written scavenger hunts, when you pair up an older child who can read with a younger one who cannot. We’ve done this before at family reunions and it works great!
Clearly the nature scavenger hunt ideas are endless! So, are you ready to take your kiddos on a nature scavenger hunt? Whether you’re looking for a great outdoor scavenger hunt idea or a simple hunt for a quick stop at the park, these ideas are perfect for getting the entire family outside and exploring.
Are you as inspired as I am? Grab your scavenger hunt list, put on your shoes, and start discovering the beauty of nature today!
I got this website from my buddy who informed me about this web site
and at thee moment this time I am visiting this website and reading very informative articles or reviews
at this time.
I absolutely love these. What a fun way to get outside and explore.