As we edge closer towards the summer season, more and more children will be looking for fun outdoor activities to occupy their free time. One outdoor activity that boys and girls of all ages seem to enjoy is a scavenger hunt. It encourages children to explore their surroundings and use their brain to find the hidden items. If you’re interested in hosting a scavenger hunt, keep reading for some tips and ideas.
ABCs
When it comes to scavenger hunts, the possibilities are endless. You can turn the activity into an educational experience by hiding each letter of the alphabet. Wooden toy letters, refrigerator letters, or even stickers (with the back still attached) can all be used in scavenger hunts. Your child can arrange the letters in the correct order as he or she finds them.
This helps familiarize kids with the alphabet in a fun and enjoyable manner that doesn’t involve books. When the child has successfully found each letter of the alphabet, you can congratulate them on their success.
Colored Toys
Colored toys can also be used in scavenger hunts. Try hiding a half a dozen or more toys of different colors and letting your child try to find them. Action figures, building blocks and balls are just a few of the many different colored toys that can be used in scavenger hunts. Just remember to choose toys that won’t get damaged from being hidden in bushes and other outdoor locations.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Rather than physically hiding each item, you can create a scavenger hunt for your child focused on items already found in nature. This will take the burden of hiding the items off your shoulders, and it opens up new possibilities for your child.
Some ideas for a nature scavenger hunt include:
- A seed
- A brown leaf
- A green leaf
- A pine cone
- A smooth rock
- A small rock
- A big rock
- A scoop of sand (provide your child with a container)
- Something you (the child) think is pretty
- Pretty much anything else that’s commonly found in the surrounding area
Safety First!
Whether the scavenger hunt is deep in the woods or right in your own backyard, you should keep a close watchful eye over your child at all times. Pay close attention for ant beds and other garden pests that could pose a danger to your child. Scavenger hunts are a fun and rewarding activity for kids, but they should only be done under the supervision of an adult.
Here’s the link to all of our other Play Time products, just in case.