This nature scavender hunt for kids is an excellent activity to get children to slow down, pay attention to their surroundings, and connect with nature. This scavenger hunt focuses on collecting experiences, not things. This activity also engages kids’ different senses in exploring nature, having them look, listen, touch, and breathe. This makes a perfect reflection or mindfulness activity for kids of all ages.
We have used this scavenger hunt at home, at school, and as a church activity. If you are using this as a church, Sunday school, or faith based activity, be sure to check out the reflection ideas that have kids think about the relationship between creation and our Creator. *If you are not using this as a faith based activity, simple leave out the reflection ideas, or write your own!
This makes a perfect spring, summer, or fall scavenger hunt! If you are using this activity in the winter, just skip the “take your shoes off” step.
This scavenger hunt includes a version that can be done during the day, and also a nighttime nature scavenger hunt that you can do at night!
Download your Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids in PDF format here. Includes full page, half page, and faith based reflection ideas.
Want to use this nature scavenger hunt for “forest church” or “Wild Church” or as a Sunday school activity? Include the faith based reflection prompts to get kids thinking about the relationship between creation and our Creator!
Including the reflection questions makes this the perfect religious scavenger hunt to get kids out in nature and thinking about God and the world around them. We used this nature scavenger hunt for kids when we did forest church: reflecting on Scripture and wandering in nature, trying to pay attention to where we encounter God. You can use this scavenger hunt in a religious setting to encourage children to reflect on God’s creation and to think about how the creation reflects the Creator.
If you want to make this a religious or faith based activity, you can use the reflection ideas to encourage discussion about creation and how it reflects God’s character.
Reflection questions include: What does the cycle of seasons tell us about God? Find something beautiful in nature and say “thank you” for it. Why do you think God made dark in addition to light?
Reflection prompts also include some quiet listening as a contemplative prayer practice.
These printouts are fantastic. I am sharing and saving. FYI: These are great for adults, too. Maree
Thanks, Maree. We do these with families during a “forest church” type adventure that we do sometimes. So I’ve done it with my kids, but you’re right that adults can do these do! Slowing down and noticing creation around us is such a good habit to cultivate.