An Outdoor Scavenger Hunt List for Kids
- A beach scavenger hunt can be fun for bored kids.seashell and pier image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
Ideal for a party at the park or campground, scavenger lists consist of objects easily found in the natural surroundings. Depending on the flora in your area, the list will contain items such as acorns, maple leaves, oak leaves, sticks, rocks, bark, pinecones and flower blooms. Beach locations may include objects like smooth stones, seashells, bird feathers, beach grass, seaweed and driftwood. Include images of some of the more specific items such as maple and oak leaves so kids can compare the objects with the pictures and learn the differences between tree species. - Taking pictures of animals make the hunt even more challenging.Chipmunk image by Bill from Fotolia.com
Make a list of regional animals that kids can find while on a field trip to the zoo, at the park or in their own backyard. Animals that may be included will be rabbits, sparrows, robins, squirrels, raccoons, pet dogs or cats and chipmunks. Specific birds may also be included such as cardinals, blue jays and woodpeckers. Zoo trips should include animals that are part of your planned viewing. - An alphabet scavenger hunt is great as an individual challenge for kids.alphabet image by Blue Moon from Fotolia.com
This scavenger hunt relies on children's abilities to creatively search for items that fit into the alphabet. The list will consist of each letter from the alphabet and a winning group is determined by how many items can be listed within a designated period of time. Each letter does not have to be completed, as items that match the letters U and Z may be difficult to find. - A green-themed scavenger hunt can educate kids in recycling and community responsibility.litter image by Jerome Dancette from Fotolia.com
Have fun and clean up the neighborhood all at the same time. For this "green" theme, list items will reflect both finding and picking up litter, but also recyclable objects. For example, kids will be encouraged to find tin cans, glass bottles, plastic bags and paper litter. Gloves and garbage bags should be brought along and the list should be check marked to indicate found objects.
Include challenging objects for more fun such as hubcaps, rubber from a car tire and wrappers from a specific fast food restaurant. Have a time limit and winners can be determined by both the completion of the list and the amount of garbage picked up. - Using a digital camera gives kids creative opportunities during the scavenger hunt.church street sign image by Tanja-Tiziana Burdi from Fotolia.com
Urban dwelling kids will enjoy the challenges of identifying building and city elements in the nearby surroundings. Instead of physically collecting items, kids may list the location of the found object or take a digital photo of it for review later. Items for urban scavenger hunts will include brick, glass, ceramic (like a flower pot,) a number (such as an apartment or street address,) street sign (child will write the street sign information down) mailbox, fire hydrant (list location,) newspaper and construction cone. You may also include specific makes of cars from the block or parking lot as well as a picture with a willing neighbor or two.
