Spring Scavenger Hunt for Little Ones

Longwood Gardens

Despite the lingering cold, signs of spring are popping up all over. Taking your little ones outside to look for changes in their yard or the nearby woods is one way to clear the cobwebs of winter away plus start a lifelong interest in nature studies.

Purple Crocus

Some signs are easy, like finding robins. Or, daffodils and crocuses.

Witch Hazel at Longwood Gardens

Others are more subtle like green buds on trees.

Bird watching in a tree house at Longwood Gardens

Sometimes you need to listen for the signs – the birds chirping as the sun comes up.

Scavenger Hunt List 

If you and your kids are not sure what to look for, this scavenger hunt is a great way to start. Take pictures as your kids find signs of springs and put together a book to help you find them again next year.

Spring Scavenger Hunt

• a seed
• something scented
• a new bird
• a yellow flower
• a purple flower
• a pink flower
• a bud on a tree
• a blade of grass
• the sound of Canada Geese
• turtles sunning on log

Resources for learning about nature 

• Birding by Ear 
• Handbook of Nature Study Blog and book, Handbook of Nature Study 
• My Family’s Favorite Nature Walks 
• Using Natural Materials for Art

Barb is a mom of 5 kids who spends her day keeping track of socks, stuffed animals, library books, and a 4 year old when she isn’t writing about all the frugality, gardening, cooking, and reading she manages to fit in between the chaotic moments. She can be found at A Life in Balance, Frugal Local Kitchen, or on Twitter with daily doses of life in 140 characters or less.