What is a nature scavenger hunt?
A nature scavenger hunt is a list or set of clues that sends people outdoors to find, observe or photograph things. It works in a backyard, city park, school ground or on a trail, and can be done solo, in pairs or in teams.
How to run a scavenger hunt
- Choose the place. Pick somewhere safe with clear boundaries.
- Choose the format. Checklist, photo hunt, riddles or a themed game, described below.
- Make the list. Include a mix of easy and harder items. Our outdoor scavenger hunt list has ready-made examples.
- Set the rules. Time limit, boundaries, no picking living plants, and a meeting point.
- Debrief. Ask people to share their favorite find or what surprised them.
Ideas by format
Checklist hunt. The classic. Tick items off as you find them. Good for all ages.
Photo hunt. People take pictures on a phone or camera instead of collecting. It keeps the site intact and lets you review the finds after.
Bingo card. Give each player a grid of items, and the first to complete a row wins. It works well when groups are large.
Riddle hunt. Write clues such as “I have a rough coat and shelter many insects” for a tree. Older children enjoy these more than checklists.
Sensory hunt. Ask for something rough, something smooth, something that smells nice, a sound you can hear. No identifying skills are needed.
Alphabet hunt. Find something outdoors for each letter, loosely interpreted.
Color hunt. Hand out paint-chip cards to match to natural objects.
Ideas by age
- Preschoolers: pictures instead of words, only a handful of items, and an adult nearby to help. Colors, textures and simple shapes work well.
- School-age children: longer lists, teams, a time limit and some trickier items.
- Teens and adults: photo challenges, riddles, identification tasks, or a timed hunt along a trail with a few navigation clues. Adults often like a creative twist, such as finding “something that looks like a face”.
Ideas by place
- Backyards: insects under logs, shapes in clouds, a seed that has traveled.
- Neighborhood parks: signs of different seasons, birds, tree shapes, textures on benches and paths.
- Trails and hikes: trail markers, tracks, interesting rocks, views. Keep a hiking group together and do not leave the marked path to find items. Easy hikes to a waterfall make good settings for a trail hunt.
Making your own hunt
Walk the route in advance and note what is actually there at that time of year. Write 10 to 15 items, mix concrete (a pinecone) with open-ended (“something that is older than you”), and test the length so it fits your time. Use a clipboard or a zip bag if it may rain.
Keeping it safe and low-impact
- Stay on trails and durable ground.
- Look but do not pick flowers, mushrooms or berries. Some plants and fungi are harmful if touched or eaten.
- Respect wildlife: observe from a distance, and leave nests and animals alone.
- Take only fallen items if collecting is allowed, and check the rules of the park. See things to collect in nature for more.
- Pack water, sun protection and bug protection as needed.
Turn the hunt into a longer day
Follow the hunt with a nature game or a building challenge such as nature forts. For a broader look at why open-ended time outside is worth planning, see play in nature.