Backyard Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Backyard Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Looking for a way to keep the kids entertained and active? A backyard scavenger hunt is the perfect solution! Not only will they have fun, but they’ll be learning along the way.

Backyard scavenger hunts are the perfect way to spend time outdoors with your kids. They're also great for promoting a healthy curiosity and getting creative! You can create endless combinations of items to find - from leaves and flowers, to unique rocks and feathers.

Make sure to ask questions about what your children find along the way so they can learn more about their surroundings. And of course, always end the hunt with some treats as a reward! It's an activity that will bring joy, laughter and cherished memories everytime you do it.

Backyard Scavenger Hunt

Here are some ideas to get you started on planning your own backyard scavenger hunt.

Outdoors Objects and Nature Scavenger Hunt

One of the most popular ideas for a backyard scavenger hunt is to hide outdoors objects and nature finds around your property. Think pine cones, leaves, rocks, sticks, bark, feathers—really anything that can be found in your yard or nearby. You can even create a list of items for them to find and give them points for each item that they find. It’s up to you how difficult you want to make it! Depending on the age of your child, you can add more complex items such as specific types of flowers or animals. Kids will have fun searching for these items on an Outdoor and Nature Scavenger Hunt.

Items you can add to your backyard scavenger hunt are:

  • Brown Leaf
  • Smooth stone
  • Pinecone
  • A stick
  • A Feather
  • Green Leaf
  • White Flower

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Another great idea is a picture scavenger hunt. Instead of collecting items, have your kids take pictures of certain things around the house or yard with their cameras or phones. Have them take pictures of things like;

  • Five different colors they see outside
  • Three different kinds of birds
  • Four different kinds of flowers
  • Two different kinds of trees

Give them points or awards based on how many items they find correctly! They’ll love getting creative with their photos and having fun exploring together as a family.

Letters & Numbers Hunt

If you want to add an educational twist to your backyard scavenger hunt, try writing out and hiding letters and numbers around the property that spell out words or form numbers (or both!). For example, if you hide the letters L-E-A-F around the yard then whoever finds all four letters and unscrambles the word first wins! Or if you hide numbers 1-2-3-4 then whoever finds all four numbers first wins! This is an especially great activity for younger children who are just learning their ABCs and 123s!

Outdoor Treasure Hunt

Watching the kids' eyes light up with excitement as they search for hidden treasures around the backyard is one of the most rewarding experiences a parent can have. Getting your children to go outside, use their imaginations, and create memories that will last a lifetime is priceless. With careful planning, you can make a backyard treasure hunt an adventure they'll never forget!

Backyard Scavenger Hunt

Hide clues alongside small gifts in your backyard so that each step brings a surprise. Each clue will lead them to the next clue and so on until they reach the final treasure hidden at the end of the Treasure Hunt

These treasure hunts take a bit more planning but your kiddos will thank you with smiles of delight when the treasures are revealed at the end!

Even teens and tweens will love to get involved with these fun treasure hunts. You can make your own more challenging clues for these older kids or purchase a pre-made Teen Outdoor Treasure Hunt. Then all you need to do is print and cut out the clue cards and hide them in the suggested places.

Backyard scavenger hunts are a great way to get the whole family involved in a fun activity together. From outdoors objects and nature finds, picture hunts, and letter & number searches – there’s something here for everyone! So grab your camera (or phone) and get ready for some outdoor fun with these backyard scavenger hunt ideas! Happy hunting!

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