September: Observation and outdoor learning

Nature Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a fun way for children to explore nature. They encourage children to look more closely at the variety of things that can be found in the natural world.

Below are several examples of nature scavenger hunts. You can also create your own scavenger hunt specifically geared towards your students and the area you will be exploring.

Some ideas for themed scavenger hunts are: colors, shapes, textures, sounds, and seasons. You can make a list for students and teacher helpers to check off, or you can give children baskets to collect objects. Another fun idea is to take a camera and photograph things you find and create a scavenger hunt book or poster.

Use Your Senses Nature Hunt – look, listen, smell, feel, observe

See: A bird nest An animal burrow Poison Ivy A blue bird A dragon fly A snake A mosquito	Listen: A fly A hawk A stick breaking A woodpecker A squirrel
Feel: Moss A prickly plant Sandy soil Soft leaf A hard nut	Smell: A flower Marsh mud Tree bark A rotten log Grass
Observe: An animal running A leaf falling from a tree A bug crawling A bird singing	Write your own exciting observation, smells, what you hear, etc

Nature Scavenger Hunt

2 different kinds of leaves

A bird nest

An animal burrow

Woodpecker holes

Animal droppings

Animal tracks

Seeds from a plant

A nut from a tree

A bird feather

Animal hair or fur

A smooth rock

Moss

Beetle

Litter (pick it up and throw it away!)

Piece of tree bark

Something you think is beautiful