Nature Scavenger Hunt - Fireflies and Mud Pies (2024)

Inside: Explore the outdoors and stay active with this free printable Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids. It’s perfect for backyards, parks, nature trails, and neighborhood walks!

If you’ve been looking for a free printable Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids, you’ve come to the right place! This fun family activity includes 7 colorful “Nature BINGO” cards for kids to use at home, school, or community programs like outdoor education, Girl Scouts, or 4-H. It’s the perfect way to explore the outdoors in spring, summer, and fall.

Psst! Nature lovers!Our 5-star ratedoutdoor activity book,Sticks and Stones,has over 30 creative outdoor STEAM projects for kids!

Sticks and Stoneswas named to the longlist for the 2020 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Hands-On Science Book category. The prize honors outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults.If you have kids who love to play outside, you need to check it out here!

What Is a Nature Scavenger Hunt?

A scavenger hunt is a game in which players search for a list of specified items such as landmarks, objects, or people.

In a nature scavenger hunt, players search for natural items such as pine cones, insects, and flowers.Sometimes players may be asked to take pictures with or collect the natural items in a small paper bag.

Related: Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

How to Play Nature Scavenger Hunt

Organizing a nature scavenger hunt with children is simple, especially if you download and print the cards we’ve provided. It’s a great way to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and learn about something new.

We like to bring along a phone and severalkids nature guides so we can quickly look up answers to questions about slime molds, bird nests, and anything else we discover!Directions and materials for play are shared below.

Materials Needed for the Scavenger Hunt

• Free Printable Nature Scavenger Hunt
• Clipboards (optional)
• Pencils or markers
• Laminator and dry erase markers (optional)

Directions for Scavenger Hunt

1. Download and print the outdoor scavenger hunt cards on white cardstock. There are a total of 7 cards to use.

If desired, laminate the pages or place them in plastic sheet protectors or a gallon-sized plastic bag so they can be reused.

2. Invite each child to choose a card, then clip it to their clipboard (an optional, but very helpful material to have). If you don’t have clipboards, you could use cardboard, a book, or kids could just use the ground to write on.

3. Go outside for a nature walk. As you walk outdoors, search for the items listed on the cards. Some of them include:

• tree
• nest
• grass
• water
• fern
• web
• pine cone
• stick
• acorn
• insect

As you look for the items on your list, don’t forget to be curious and explore! In the picture below, my 12-year-old is searching a vernal pool for Spotted Salamanders and wood frog eggs!

4. As with traditional BINGO, the first child who crosses off 4 in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins.

5. Continue hunting for all of the items on the list or trade cards and play again.

6. After the scavenger hunt, kids can enjoy outdoor free play!

Tip: Not a fan of competition? Skip step 4 and simply encourage kids to search for every picture on their card.

Where to Have an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

You can have a nature scavenger hunt just about anywhere outside! Our favorite places include the backyard, city parks, nature trails, and neighborhood walks.

More Nature Activities for Kids

• How to Raise Butterflies
• How to Make a Bug Hotel
• Make Gnome Homes
• Start a Nature Collection
• Outdoor Arts and Crafts Projects