Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids: Free Printable Sensory Checklist

Download the free printable cards

What to put on a nature scavenger hunt list

Sort your list by the senses so children slow down and notice more. Here are 24 ideas you can use today, grouped by what children see, hear and touch, plus a few to smell.

Things to see

1. Something green
2. A yellow flower
3. A round pebble
4. A busy bird
5. A fluffy cloud
6. A spider web
7. A fallen leaf with holes
8. Something taller than you
9. A snail or its shell
10. A seed or a conker

Things to hear and smell

1. Birds singing
2. Leaves rustling in the wind
3. Your own feet crunching
4. A buzzing bee or fly
5. A dog barking far away
6. Fresh cut grass to smell
7. A sweet smelling flower
8. Rain or damp earth after a shower

Things to touch and collect

1. Something smooth
2. Something rough like bark
3. Something soft like moss
4. A bumpy twig
5. A cold stone
6. A feather
7. A prickly pine cone

How to play a nature scavenger hunt, step by step

1. Print one list for each child and pop it on a clipboard or card.
2. Pack a small bag or basket for safe finds.
3. Pick your spot, a garden, park or woodland path.
4. Hunt together, ticking or pointing at each find.
5. Tip out the basket at home and talk about every treasure.

Ways to use a nature scavenger hunt

• Make it a sensory hunt. Focus on four of the five senses. Ask what each find feels, sounds or smells like, not just what it looks like.
• Turn finds into play. Bring treasures home and sort them by colour, size or texture. A bug hunting kit helps little ones look closely at minibeasts without touching them.
• Try it in any season. Autumn brings conkers and crunchy leaves. Spring brings buds and birdsong. The same list feels new every few weeks.
• Add a card version for rainy days. If the weather turns, swap to an indoor hunt with a boxed scavenger hunt game and find clues around the house.
• Build a nature table. Keep a shelf or tray for the best finds. Children love showing visitors what they spotted on each walk.

Outdoor games and gifts for little explorers

These toys and games get children outside, looking closely and using their hands. They pair well with a scavenger hunt and keep the fun going back at home.

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Scavenger Hunt GameShop nowKids Outdoor Toy - Bug Hunting KitShop nowCrystal Set - Gemstone DiggingShop nowDinosaur Digging Toy - Excavation Kit For KidsShop nowRain Sound Maker - Rainmaker Sensory ToyShop nowColourful Kids Kite - Garden ToyShop nowTraining Cones - Activity Cones for the GardenShop nowDiscovery Blocks - Wooden Sensory BlocksShop nowAnimal Dominoes - Wildlife GameShop nowWooden Kids Puzzle - Animal PuzzleShop nowRainbow Scratch Paper - Scratch Art PadShop nowWooden Noahs Ark - Wooden Animal ToyShop nowUnder The Sea Puzzles - Kids Wooden JigsawShop nowAnimal Travel Art Set - Doodle BookShop now

Nature scavenger hunts by age and key stage

What children learn from a nature scavenger hunt

• Observation. Hunting for clues trains children to look closely and notice small details in the world around them.
• Early science. Sorting finds by texture, colour and sound introduces the idea of grouping and comparing.
• Language. Describing what they see, hear and smell builds vocabulary and confidence in talking.
• Gross motor skills. Walking, bending and reaching for finds gets bodies moving outdoors.
• Focus. Working through a list from start to finish helps little ones stick with a task.

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Make it a Christmas tradition

A scavenger hunt is easy to make a weekly habit. Keep a laminated list by the door with the clipboard and basket, so you can grab them on any walk. Let children add their own ideas to the list over time. Soon they will be spotting things to find before you have even set off.

Frequently asked questions

What age is a nature scavenger hunt best for?

It works well from age 3. Younger children enjoy a short picture list, while older ones can read and tick off trickier finds.

How long does it take?

Around 30 to 45 minutes is plenty for little ones. Stop while they are still having fun so they want to do it again.

Do I need special equipment?

No. A printed list, a clipboard or piece of card and a small bag for safe finds are all you need.

Can we do it in the garden?

Yes. A garden, a park or a woodland path all work. Even a small outdoor space has plenty to spot.

What about rainy days?

Try an indoor version and hunt for clues around the house, or look through the window and listen for sounds instead.

Is it safe to pick things up?

Collect fallen leaves, pebbles and twigs, but leave living plants and creatures where they are. Wash hands afterwards and watch for anything that may cause allergies.

How do I keep it educational?

Talk about each find. Ask what it feels like, where it came from and how to sort it. See the gift ideas above for toys that extend the learning.

Can a group of children do it together?

Yes. Give each child their own list, or pair them up so they help each other spot and tick off finds.

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Jaques of London is Britain's oldest toy and games company, founded in 1795. We have spent over 230 years making games families play together, from chess and croquet to wooden toys for the very young.

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Written by the Jaques of London team. Last updated 1 November 2026.