Nature Treasure Hunt For Kids

This is the second in my series of fun outdoor activities for kids, all of the activities I am writing about are ones that I have enjoyed as a child with my own parents, activities that bring the family together, and that cost little, or nothing.

As you can see from my collage a natural treasure hunt is today's fun outdoor activity for children.

I used to love treasure hunts as a child, every time we would go walking in the woods my Father would  give us a list of natural treasures to find. Whoever found all of the items on the list won a prize. You don't have to offer a prize of course, that's up to you.

Natural Treasure Hunt Tips

• If your kids fight it is a good idea to give them completely different lists of items to find, otherwise be prepared for fighting over who found what first!

• The treasure hunt can be as simple or as complex as the child's level of learning. For example for older children you may ask them to find a certain type of flower, but for younger ones just a colour of flower.

• If you are worried about a young child touching anything they shouldn't, ask them to show you the treasure that they have found first. They don't have to touch the items, they could show you and then cross it off their list.

• Alternately remember to provide bags for kids to put their finds into, antibacterial gel (just in case) and pens to cross the items off their lists too. 

You Can Have A Natural Treasure Hunt In All Kinds Of Places

I have used a woodland treasure hunt as my example, but other ideas are;

A beach treasure hunt
All kinds if treasure to be found on the beach, sea glass, shells, coloured pebbles, minerals, different sea weed, rock pool creatures...

A mountain treasure hunt
Lots of crystals, minerals, and interesting stones to be found in mountain regions, not to mention a host of wildlife and plants.

Basically any habitat can be used for a treasure hunt, as long as it is safe for kids. Have fun and I hope you strike gold :)

Find more fun outdoor activities for kids here...