Scavenger Hunts
For camping families, scavenger hunts provide a wealth of opportunities for active fun. Many children, as parents could likely attest to, have a natural urge to explore – which is easily satiated by a good scavenger hunt. Additionally, a well thought out and set up hunt gives parents the opportunity to teach their kids a few things about the outdoors. Coming up with ideas about what exactly to search for in an impromptu scavenger hunt isn’t too difficult; all you really need to do is look around you. Below are a couple of ideas to get a great scavenger hunt started.
Scavenger Hunting 101
When making up a scavenger hunt, keeping the kids’ interest should be high priority. Have them search for common outdoor objects that won’t be difficult or frustrating to find. Of course, safety and supervision are of utmost importance as well. Split up the adults in the party, and assign each one to a small group of kids. Their job will be to provide guidance, give a hint or two, and to keep watch over them.
To make it more interesting for the older kids, a little friendly competition is helpful as well. Incorporate a small prize or treat for the group that can find the most items on your list. Speaking of lists, the best way to come up with one is to explore the environment yourself. Commonly found items like specific types of leaves, flowers, plant products (i.e. fruits, berries, nuts, or seeds), and animal tracks are a great place to start.
With some help from the adults, your little scavenger hunters will be both entertained and engaged until every item gets checked off the list. And though they’re very likely to wear you out on the hunt, you can hit the tent that night with a feeling of accomplishment, knowing that you’ve broadened your children’s horizons.
Scavenger Hunt Ideas
As mentioned above, the specific features of your campsite will help determine what to incorporate in the scavenger hunt. Remember, they don’t necessarily have to be “found” items. Experiential lists can be just as fun. Below are two examples to provide a little inspiration.
Scavenger Hunt 1 (items in a deciduous forest): An oak leaf, an acorn, a dandelion, a pinecone, raccoon tracks, deer tracks, a piece of pine bark, a “helicopter” maple seed, and one human trash item that can be brought back for recycling.
Scavenger Hunt 2 (the “experiential” scavenger hunt): Catch a fish (panfish are typically easiest), skip a rock, hang from a low tree branch (for the younger kids, tippy-toes count), hike to the top of a hill, see a squirrel, hear a birdsong, and cross a creek bed without getting wet feet.
Alphabet Hike
Find various items with names that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Go in order from A to Z.
Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items that would most likely be found in the area you are camping and/or hiking in. Here are a few suggestions. You’ll need to select items that are age appropriate and also available in your location. Be creative. This activity is a lot of fun for everyone.
__Wild Flowers
__Dead tree
__Pine cone
__Berries
__Vine
__Poison ivy
__Stream or creek
__Blade of grass
__Clover leaf
__Moss
__Pine tree
__Seeds or seed pod
__Eroded soil
__Smooth/shiny rock
__Mud
__Grain of sand
__Fern
__Y-shaped twig
__Trash
__Pine needles
__Acorn or other nuts
__Tree with blossoms
__Hole in a tree
__Ponded area in a creek
__Dark or light green leaf
__Small pebble
__Unusual shaped leaf
__Rocks with many colors
__Different shades of green or brown
__Dew on a flower or leaf
__Fungus on a tree
__Shows next season is coming
__Animal tracks
__Worm
__Caterpillar
__Squirrel
__Bird
__Ant
__Butterfly or moth
__Snail
__Beetle
__Feather
__Lizard
__Ladybug
__Spider web
__Birds nest
__Insects on a tree
__Deer tracks
__Animal hole in the ground
__Deer
__Frog
__Leaf with insect holes
__Evidence of the presence of animals
__Evidence of the presence of people
Listen to:
__Leaves under your feet
__Wind in the trees
__Sound of a bee
__Birds singing
__Cricket
__Water running in a creek
__Noises in the woods
Feel:
__Tree bark
__Prickly plant
__Wet mud
__Rotten wood
__Wind blowing on face
__Texture of various rocks
Smell:
__Pine tree
__Flower
__Mud
__Green grass
__Fresh air
__Cedar tree
Watch:
__Animals eating
__Leaf falling to the ground
__Spider web w/insect
__Ant moving something
__Wind blowing the leaves
__Fish jumping
__Clouds going by
__For something funny
__For something unusual
__Sunlight coming through trees
__Sunrise or sunset
__Stars in the sky
__Lightning Bugs
__Reflection in the water
__Trail markers
__Animal homes or shelters
Scavenger Hunt using a Camera
Use a disposal camera. Take pictures of the items on the list. This is a great way for collecting and also for keeping memories in a photo journal.
Other Related Ideas
- Do a leaf rubbing
- Identify foods eaten by various animals
- Play the game – “Twenty Questions” or “What am I?” Make your subjects relevant to what you seen on your hike or about the animals that live in the area
- Write a story about what you saw on your hike
Draw a picture of a:
__Tree
__Flower
__Butterfly
__Bird
__Animal
Identify different types of:
__Birds
__Leaves
__Trees
__Flowers
__Plants
Check out more tips on hiking with kids or visit our Camp Store
what are the rules
There are no rules, justy give the kids a certain amount of time to find as many items as possible on the list, and then call them back, and see who found the most on the list. But, they should bring the itme back with them unless they are doing the pototgraphy scavenger hunt.
I do this every year for our annual Days & Nites of Summer Camping Trip….I generate a list of 10-15 items to capture using a digital camera, camera phone, etc. I form teams in groups of 5 to include 2 small kiddos. Each team is given the same list of items to search but in scrambled order. this avoid everyone running to take the same picture. The team to return with all items on their list IN THE EXACT ORDER wins a personalized trophy which I purchase online for less than $7bucks each from K2awards.com They include free ingraving as well. We have lots of fun. I have a template I use to generate a random list if youre interested let me know and i can email it over to you.
Connie-
I’m part of a group taking 60 middle school girls to a camp next week for an overnight. I have digital cameras I’m letting them use for a photo scavenger hunt. Would you mind sending me that template? My email address is ghanigirl@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Michelle
hi connie i also am going camping in june with my 2 neices ages 10 & 12 id like to see your template please my e mail is
tammyn623@aol.com or if anyone has any other ideas id be greatful. thanks
Connie,
Can you email me that template? cheselberger@newfane.wnyric.org
Connie, I’d love to see your list. We are going camping with several families, 15 kids ages 2-16. I would love to do this to try & get the kids to spend a big of time with the other ages rather than always splitting up based on age. Could u email your list please ?
Ronandcarolyninaz@gmail.com
Connie, im taking a youthgroup to a ranch for a retreat and I would love to see your list. (ages 12-15)
thank you
rrubias9@hotmail.com
I am going on a camping trip with my grandchildren of various ages – 2 1/2 to 7. Please send me your list.Thanks.
Connie,
Can you email me that template? cricketcynthia@yahoo.com
Hi Connie,
I’m going camping with a large group of kids and I would like a
copy of your list please.
ladydi054@aol.com
Thank you
Hi Connie
This Sounds alot of fun. This is my first year with my grandkids. i hope they will have a good time. They are all ages. We are going in July. Thank you
Hello Connie,
I would also like to see the template. Please send it to tomamdg@gmail.com. Also, since so many people are requesting it, I would be able to save it online and post the link for all to see. Thanks!
Peace,
Tom
Would love the template for the scavenger hunt. Can you email it to me? cindyjpierce@comcast.net
Thank-you so much!
I would also like the template for the scavenger hunt. kterlouw@trcpella.com
Hi Connie -
I’d love it too! Thanks
We are going camping 40 people large group kids 4-18. I would love your template.
mgumusay@aol.com
Thanks!!
Hi Connie, I’m currently planning an ecotour and would love to check out your template. Could you email it to annetteslatt@gmail.com. Cheers
Hi Connie,
I’m putting together a scavenger hunt for our family reunion. I would love your template – please e-mail it to me! churba7@cableone.net
Have a great day!
Hi, Connie-would you please email your template to me at muske64@hotmail.com ? Thanks so much-
Another person interested in seeing your list! Please email it to me. Thank you very much.
Blessings,
Suzanne
Connie,
I would love to have a copy of your template. Thanks!!! My email address is : jeanette.grant@morton709.org
Connie,
Would you also email me the template for the scavenger hunt?
Sharonatma@gmail.com
Thank you so much!
Hi Connie:)
I would love that template as well. I’m running the children’s activities at the fly n fair next week:) alinamnrees@gmail.com
thank you!
Thanks for this list! And connie – I would love the template too!!! daniholsapple@yahoo.com
CONNIE-
WE ARE STAYING IN CABINS IN THE WOODS IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. KIDS AGES 4-16 WOULD LOVE TO DO A SCAVENGER HUNT. CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME THE TEMPLATE?
THANKS,
RENEA
I run a summer day camp with about 170 kids and would love a copy of your template. Seems like a good place to start since we’ve never attempted a scavenger hunt!
Connie please send that template to Karen at rdcvt2011@yahoo.com!
Connie,
We are going campling next week and would be great if i could see a copy of your template.
Thanks for such a great idea.
casanpulga@yahoo.com
Hi Connie,
I like your scavenger hunt idea. I would love to have the template for the scavenger hunt. Can you e-mail it to me?
dinrhet@aol.com
thank you so much for the great info. Loved the experiential and feel, touch ones too. cant wait to use them .
i too would like the template Connie, my email is info@nativeplace.com
Connie-
Could you please e-mail me your template? How was the hunt this year?
Thank you.
jklmnf@windstream.net
Hi Connie,
I have an outdoor scavenger hunt that I’m hoping to set up for a bunch of 14 to 16 yr olds..
Would really like to have a look at that list of yours.. please mail me on chrisdmen@gmail.com
Hi!
I’m planning a scavenger hunt for 1st grade Tiger Clubs and would love to use your template. Could you please send to me? My e-mail is: nataliewwilson@comcast.net.
Thanks Connie!
Hi, Could you also please email me a copy of your template. My six year old is having his first sleepover and I just thought that this would be awesome for them.
Thanks,
Alicia