Want to get outside this spring? Go on a scavenger hunt! Here’s how to plan a Spring Scavenger Hunt for kids and a free PDF printable!
Spring is a fantastic time of year. The weather is absolutely perfect and it’s the best time to get outdoors and enjoy the natural world around us.
As a parent, I try not to structure my kids time too much, but sometimes they need some kind of activity or we all quickly get restless.
One of my favorite outdoor activities is a nature scavenger hunt (and then later, nature art!)
Be sure to check out my rainbow color scavenger hunt for kids!
The beauty of a nature hunt is basically an i-spy game. Give them a list of things to look for, and then let them run wild and really lead the play.
The spring nature scavenger hunt is great because suddenly, all around us, a lot of things are changing. Things are springing (ha!) to life – flowers and leaves are growing, animals are getting active. There’s a lot fo kids to see!
Here are my best spring themed crafts for kids!
As far as spring activities with kids go, this is a super fun and absolutely free one. It’s a great way to get your kids outdoors and a wonderful way to get them naturally talking about changes that come with new seasons.
Be sure to check out these books about seasons for preschoolers!
Spring Scavenger Hunt Free Printable PDF
Get a free printable PDF to take on your scavenger hunt with you! Click here to sign up for access to our free printables library! We have LOTS of other scavenger hunts in there!
Spring Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Nature-based items will vary depending on your location. We live in South Carolina and so these are all items that we have in our neighborhood in the spring.
Here are some things that you might look for on your spring outdoor scavenger hunt:
- Leaves – green, brown
- Bugs – ants, spiders, butterflies
- Animals – squirrels, chipmunks, birds
- Nature – sticks, rocks, pine cones, flowers
- Decor – flags, sprinklers, watering cans, rain boots
Depending on where you are hunting, you may be able to bring home some of your finds! We love bringing home sticks, leaves, and other goodies to use for nature paintings!
Plus, our kids have a big bucket in the garage they fill with their finds and once it’s full we go throw them (one by one) into the pond!
How to do a nature spring scavenger hunt
First, make a treasure hunt list. You could use our free printable or make your own.
Then, head outdoors! Go to a woodsy type area if possible. We like to go on the far side of a pond in our neighborhood on a dirt trail.
Look and see what you can find!
For older kids, consider discussing:
- What does the object feel like?
- What does the object smell like?
- Was this thing here in the Fall? In the Summer?
- Is it heavy? Light?
Spring scavenger hunt printable
Get our free printable PDF to take on your scavenger hunt with you! Click here to sign up for access to our free printables library!
Check out all of my other outdoor scavenger hunt ideas:
Thanks for reading!
Hey there, I’m Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I’ve made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨👩👧👦🎈