How to Create Your Own Backyard Nature Scavenger Hunt

Learn how to build a fun and engaging nature scavenger hunt to help you explore the wild world right outside your door.

1. Make your list. Sit down with your notebook and brainstorm things you might find. Include categories like 'something fuzzy,' 'a leaf with a jagged edge,' 'a rock that looks like an animal,' or 'a bird feather.' Write down 5 to 10 items to start.
2. Set your boundaries. Ask a grown-up exactly where you are allowed to explore. Make sure you know which parts of the yard or park are off-limits so you can stay safe while you hunt.
3. Start the hunt. Walk slowly and look closely at the ground, the trees, and the sky. When you find an item on your list, check it off. If you are collecting items, only pick up things that are already on the ground, like loose leaves or fallen twigs.
4. Record your findings. For items you cannot move, like a large tree or a bug you don't want to disturb, draw a quick sketch of what you saw in your notebook next to the item name.