Featured Activity: Outdoor Scavenger Hunts
Published on May 11, 2022 - Updated on May 11, 2022
Scavenger hunts are a great way to get kids outside without having to travel too far from home!
We love getting our kids outside as much as possible. When you don't have time to head out on a more complex adventure, outdoor scavenger hunts are a fun way to engage kids with nature in your own backyard or neighborhood. We created two outdoor scavenger hunts you can use! You can use the first one when you're heading out on a run or walk to keep the littles busy while riding in the stroller. The second one is great for a family hike or nature stroll around the block!
Click here for the printable version of the happyly Scavenger Hunts.
Running:
We compiled an easy scavenger hunt for a stroller run in the blog post Running For Fun With Kids. As suggested, adding fun to your exercise regimen is a good building block for your children, and creating achievable goals to pursue along the way helps to motivate you to push further. Here are a few ideas to add to your personalized hunt.
- A Blue Car
- The Number 3
- A Yellow Dog
- A Flag
- A Flower
- An Animal Crossing Sign
- A Wild Animal
- A Street Sign WIth a Person’s Name
- A Pine Cone
- A Fence
Hiking:
This is a fun one to do as a family. We have lots of wooded areas around our neighborhood that we like to explore, but most of these items can be found anywhere outdoors!
- A Tree Stump or Fallen Tree
- An Ant
- A Squirrel
- A Colorful Bird
- A Hole in a Leaf
- A Worm
- A Wildflower
- A Caterpillar or Butterfly
- A Nest Up in a Tree
- The Perfect Sized Walking Stick
Other Ideas:
- Rainbow: Collect nature treasures for every color of the rainbow. Think red leaves, dried-out orange pine needles, yellow dandelions, etc. You can even bring your treasures home and use them to create some art!
- Varieties: See how many different types of leaves you can find. Or what about seeds (pinecones, acorns, helicopters, gumballs, etc)? Count how many types of critters you can find-- squirrels, spiders, birds, and bees.
- Textures: Ask your kids to find items with different textures: something rough, smooth, round, wet, sticky, etc.
- Beach Hunt: If you live near a beach, head over there and hunt for beach treasures such as shells, seaweed, driftwood, sea glass, and crabs!
Do your kids enjoy scavenger hunts? If you've tried out one of our hunts, tag us in it on Instagram @gethappyly for a chance to be featured!
Is it a rainy day where you live? Check out this post on At Home Scavenger Hunts that you can do without leaving your house!
For even more local activities and attractions at your fingertips, be sure to download the happyly app, the country's only mobile-first family activity planning app, for fast access to all of our frequent blog content, favorite activities, and expertly designed curated days, both locally and in many communities and travel destinations across the country.