Ideas and Activities
Spirit Spot - giving the gift of time and nature
Scavenger Hunts
When you are in the outdoors, one idea to help make a nature walk or hike more appealing to children is to offer them the challenge of a scavenger or treasure hunt. Just remember to leave nature undisturbed and respect the natural surroundings.
We have collected together some ideas to encourage children to think creatively and use their observational skills.
Alphabet Nature Hunt
Spot items that begin with the different letters of the alphabet eg acorn, beetle/berries, catkin, dead tree etc
Miniature Scavenger Hunt
Provide a small container such as an empty matchbox and ask the children them to fit as many different natural things inside as possible. Search for a seed, a blade of grass, a pine needle, a tiny stone, a small leaf etc. After about 20 minutes all come together and carefully tip out the contents from each container, counting how many tiny objects you each found.
Texture Scavenger Hunt
Take a nature walk. How many of these textures can you touch? Can you find any different textures not mentioned below?
furry moss
prickly pine needles
smooth flower buds
waxy evergreen leaves
rough tree roots
silky flower petals
soggy decomposing leaves
brittle twigs
flexible grasses
sticky tree sap
lacy skeleton leaves
Treasures from your Imagination
How about using ideas form a storybook or film and try to find a fairy’s cloak, a dragon’s scale, a hobbit’s hole or a goblin’s den. Such imaginings could lead to the discovery of all sorts of wonderful treasures.
