Outdoor scavenger hunts for kids can include nature scavenger hunting or scavenger hunters around the city. To create an original scavenger hunting experience, give children clues like a list of items and a unique outdoor spot. There are amusing birthday scavenger hunt and fun games for children, quizzes and murder mystery games for grown-ups of all ages, and even special items for holiday celebrations such as Halloween, Christmas, Easter or Summer. Grapevine provides ready-made items that can be used for celebrations and events. We have all kinds of things from murder mysteries to pub quizzes to fantastic themed treasure hunts designed for children.
Park Scavenger Hunt
You can create an on-the spot scavenger hunt by creating a list of items you should be able find in the park. You can use sidewalk chalk to draw your list on the pavement or concrete floor of a pavilion. Scavenger hunt items might include:
- A chalk drawing
- A playground
- Flower beds
- A gazebo
- A bench
- There are three types of trees
- A dog-walker
- Picnic
Forest Scavenger Hunt
You don’t have to look for items that you can see. Instead, go on a sensory forest hike. A list of all the things you can see, hear, smell or taste in the forest will be helpful. You can use a stick to create your list on the dirt path, or you can use a small piece of rock to write the list on a larger stone by scraping them together. These are some ideas for this scavenger hunting list:
- Some whistling
- Wild raspberry
- A bug carrying something
- Something sharp
- A subtle sound
- Someplace dark
- Something soft and cuddly
- Drinking water from a clean source
Camping Scavenger Hunt
This fun camping scavenger hunt makes it easy to pack if you are heading for a campout in your own backyard or at a campground. It can even be used as a checklist for ensuring your campsite is perfect.
- Tent
- Cooler
- Picnic table
- Fire pit
- Fireplace wood
- Roasting sticks
- Trees
- Nature sounds
- The word “trail”
Beach Scavenger Hunt
You’ll find many cool things at the beach. Mix and match standard beach items with funny beach finds. These items might be easy to spot.
- Fish skeleton
- Live fish
- Shell
- Fine sand
- Sand that is coarse
- A feather
- Sunglasses
- Towel
- Poo for birds
Nighttime Scavenger Hunt
Nighttime scavenger hunts can help kids overcome their fears of the dark. This type of hunt is great for both teens and adults. You can make a list of the things that you cannot see at night and then go out to search for them.
- A bat
- Cricket
- Bright star
- Flashing light
- The moon
- Glowing eyes
- A yellow firefly
- A green firefly
Constellation Reverse Scavenger Hunt
If it’s clear and sunny, you can go outside to make a constellation reverse-scavenger hunt. A reverse scavenger hunt is where you make a list and then find things. As a regular scavenger hunt, you can share your list with another person. Take a look up at the night sky to see which constellations you can find. Each one should be written down in the order that you found them.
Nature Photography Scavenger Hunt
A nature photography scavenger hunt is a great way to have fun with your teen and adult family members. Give each person a camera and go over beginner photography tips. Make a list of unusual or humorous things you’d like to find in nature. Take pictures as they appear. Compare your photos to get different perspectives. Scavenger hunt clues might be:
- A creature that appears to be smiling
- A plant that looks just like an animal
- A stick that looks like a pitchfork
- It looks wet but it isn’t
- A bee resting on a flower
Outdoor Smells Scavenger Hunt
You can’t forget your senses. This is a difficult scavenger hunt. You can make a list of outdoor scents and then go out to sniff the air for them.
Sweet smell
- The smell of something that makes you want stomp your feet
- Unidentified smell
- Something that smells like fart
- Wet or mildewy odor
- The smell that makes you hungry
Outdoor Sounds Scavenger Hunt
Outdoor sounds scavenger hunts can also be done with your hearing. Consider all the sounds you might hear outdoors. These might not all be natural sounds if you live in a big city. Here’s an example of an outdoor sounds list for cities:
- A car horn
- Someone yelling
- A sound for an emergency
- A cat
- Scurrying
- A slamming door
- A whistle
- Music
Outdoor Experiences Scavenger Hunt
A long-term outdoor experience scavenger hunt is a great way to have fun if you have some spare time. This is a great idea for summer break and spring break, as children can attempt to complete the hunt before it ends. Make a list of outdoor experiences that your child can have. Each activity can be completed with a friend or family member.
- Bait a hook
- Fishing is a great way to get a taste of freshwater
- Take a ride in a boat
- Take a bike ride
- Enjoy a hike that is longer than you are!
- Use a paddle or oar
- Tents can be set up
- You can pick your own fruits and vegetables
- Plan a garden
Go on a Hunt
Outdoor scavenger hunts can be a great option for children to participate in. A short list of easy items can be made easier for outdoor scavenger hunts. You can make scavenger hunts more difficult by using scavenger hunting riddles for children instead of a list of standard items.
