Nature Scavenger Hunt

Autumn is the perfect time of year to head outside for a fall scavenger hunt. Bring along this free printable version for an autumn adventure!

Scavenger hunts are a great way to get your kids excited about exploring the world around them.

Inspired by nature, this printable features natural items you can find outside during the fall.

fall scavenger hunt printable with nature items slanted on a wooden background with a pencil on top

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Age Range
Skills to Practice
Natural Items
Directions
Additional Activities
Terms of Use
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Comments

Age Range

Preschool
Kindergarten
Elementary
Upper Elementary

The great part about scavenger hunts is you can use them with a wide range of ages. From preschoolers to upper elementary aged kids!

two children bundled up in jackets, rain boots, and winter hats walking outside in a natural fall landscape. Both children holding walking sticks one walking on a wooden board across a small stream

Young children can focus on shapes, colors, and sizes of items, while older kids can dive deep into the different species of plants.

Kids can work together or alone to look for items outside. This is a wonderful activity to do with a group of multi-aged kids!

Helpful Hints

Bringing along a field guide is a wonderful way to learn about plants and animals you see while exploring!

Even very young children enjoying learning about the wildlife that they discover while going on a fall nature scavenger hunt!

Depending on where you live you may also come across some plants that you do not want to touch. Including poison ivy which turns beautiful colors during the fall.

Of course, always provide adult supervision, especially with young children who may put items into their mouths or touch something they shouldn't.

Skills to Practice

Communication
Fine Motor Skills
Making Observations
Sorting and Classifying

Bringing a long a magnifying lens is a fun way to look at items up close without touching them. Kids also love taking photographs of items they find outside.

You can even bring a long a ruler and have your kids take measurements of different items that they find on their adventure.

Pair them with a nature journal. Or bring along a blank sketch pad with some art supplies. After kids find each item they can make a few sketches or drawings!

Natural Items

Dried Grasses
Yellow Oval Leaf (Beech)
Yellow Pointy Leaf (Maple)
Red Pointy Leaf (Maple)
Brown and Red Leaf (Oak)
Large Acorn
Small Acorn
Pine Cone

When we think about fall, you can't help but think about colorful foliage and trees! This scavenger hunt focuses on natural items you can find outside in the autumn.

From dried grasses to different colored leaves. Kids love making discoveries outside. Don't be surprised if they find additional items not found on this list.

Even if it is chilly where you live, kids can find worms, insects, slugs, and all types of amazing creepy crawlies this time of year!

Directions

Print out one scavenger hunt per child
Head outside to find the items on the list
Check off each item as you discover it outside
Share and discuss your discoveries!

two overlapping fall scavenger hunt printable slanted on a wooden background with a pencil on top

Variations

Work in groups of 2 or 3 instead of individually
Make it a group activity by looking for each item together
Stop and make sketches of each item as you find it
Take photographs of each natural element on the list

Not only are scavenger hunts fun, but they are educational! A simple activity can easily turn into a full lesson about trees, leaves, and seeds.

One of the best ways to make this activity into a formal lesson is to add in a few group discussions.

Together you can talk about what you found, where you found it, and other similar items. You can have kids tape the printable right into a nature journal!

Additional Activities

Get ready to explore all that fall has to offer with these additional activities. From booklists to no prep printables there is so much to explore this season!

Fall Leaf Printables and Activities- ready to use nature journal pages for kids

Fall BINGO- 8 bingo cards with a set of calling cards

Color by Number- fun fall designs

Children's Books to Read this Fall- beautifully illustrated picture books for kids

Terms of Use

These printables were created by Nature Inspired Learning and are for personal use only for your home, classroom, or public library. This free printable scavenger hunt is for non-commercial use. See full disclosure.