July 20, 2026
Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Mahoney’s is proud to be a sponsor of the KidsGardening Garden Youth Grant Program, an initiative that aligns with our mission to create opportunities for kids to play, learn, and grow through gardening.
Looking for an easy outdoor activity that gets kids excited about nature? A nature scavenger hunt is a simple way to encourage children to slow down, explore their surroundings, and practice their observation skills.
Whether you’re visiting a local park, exploring your own backyard, or wandering through the gardens at Mahoney’s, this activity turns an ordinary walk into an exciting adventure. Best of all, it can be adapted for children of all ages and enjoyed during every season.
Download the printable, grab a pencil and clipboard, and head outside to see how many items you can find!
what you'll need:
- Printable Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Clipboard (optional, but helpful)
- Pencil or crayon
- A garden, park, nature trail, or other outdoor green space
how to play
- Print the Nature Scavenger Hunt sheet.
- Visit your favorite outdoor space.
- As children discover each item, have them check it off on their sheet.
- Encourage them to look carefully before moving on—sometimes the smallest discoveries are the most exciting!
There is no time limit, so let kids explore at their own pace and enjoy everything nature has to offer.
make it even more fun!
Once you’ve completed the basic scavenger hunt, try one of these creative variations.
create a nature bracelet
If you’re exploring your own yard or another area where collecting small, non-living items is appropriate, wrap a strip of masking tape around your child’s wrist with the sticky side facing out. As they find leaves, seeds, petals, or other natural treasures, they can stick them onto the bracelet to create a wearable nature collage.
use more than your eyes
Instead of searching for objects, create a scavenger hunt based on your senses. Can you find:
- Something that smells wonderful?
- Something soft?
- A bird singing?
- Rustling leaves?
- Flowing water?
This encourages children to experience nature in a whole new way.
turn it into a challenge
If your family enjoys a little friendly competition, see who can find every item first, race against the clock, or simply try to beat your previous time on your next adventure.
what kids learn
A nature scavenger hunt is more than just a game—it helps children develop valuable skills while spending time outdoors.
They’ll practice:
- Observation and attention to detail
- Identifying common plants, insects, and wildlife
- Patience and curiosity
- Appreciation for the natural world
Because every season brings something new, kids can repeat this activity throughout the year and discover different plants, animals, and natural features each time.
keep exploring nature
Once your scavenger hunt is complete, take a few extra minutes to talk about your discoveries.
Ask questions like:
- Which item was the hardest to find?
- Did you notice anything you’ve never seen before?
- What insects were visiting the flowers?
- Which trees had the biggest leaves?
These simple conversations help build curiosity and encourage children to become lifelong nature explorers.
More kids gardening activities
Looking for more ways to keep little gardeners engaged? Browse our growing collection of free Kids Gardening activities for hands-on projects, crafts, and outdoor adventures the whole family can enjoy.