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Although I love a good long hike to some epic views, I’m well aware that sometimes those bucket list hikes are not always kid-proof or accessible on your average weekend. Nature walks are the perfect alternative to get your kiddos outside, enjoy the fresh air, and get some exercise. You could always just go for your average stroll in the woods or around the block, but this list will give you ideas to switch up your nature walks and make walking outdoors fun for kids! Keep reading for a list of fun nature walk activities for kids!
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Scavenger Hunts
There are so many different variations of scavenger hunts to choose from that this first idea can keep you and your kids busy during weeks of nature walks. You can make your own scavenger hunts or check out my bundle here!
If making your own, some fun variations:
- Five senses (Something I see, something I smell, something I feel, something I hear…and then you could break it down into specifics. For example…Something blue or something rough.
- Living Things Hunt (Find a bug that is red or look for a white dog for my apartment-living friends!)
- Scavenger Hunt Bingo (Create a 5×5 grid of different items and the first one to find a BINGO wins!)
- Color Scavenger Hunt: (Find the colors of the rainbow)
- Themed Scavenger Hunt (Camping, Summer, Christmas, Beach, etc)
- Photo Scavenger Hunt (Ex: Take a picture of yourself with an oak tree, stop sign, ant hill, etc.)
- Points Scavenger Hunt (assign point values to each item)
If you do not feel like creating your own, be sure to grab my complete bundle of all the variations of scavenger hunts for kids. Over 15 different hunts!!
Treasure Maps
There are also several different type of treasure hunts you could have during your nature walks! My two favorites are The Clue Hunt and the Classic Map.
The Clue Hunt: Create 5-10 clues on cards before your nature walk. Give you child the first one before you leave. It will then lead to the next one. Since you will be on a walk, you could keep all the clues on you and have your child find the object or place before being given the next clue. For example…
- First Clue: Off we go on an exciting Nature Hunt. If you can solve all of the clues, there will be an exciting treasure waiting for you at the end! You first need to find a tiny mountain with strong six-legged creatures going in and out.
- Second Clue: YAY! You found an Ant Hill! Your next clue will be ready once you find a good luck charm (it can have 3 or 4 leaves).
You could also change the clues to be done just around your yard or in the city. Each clue hunt will be different depending on where you are taking your nature walk.
The second type of treasure hunt you could do on your nature walk is the classic map. Before you walk, draw out a route (showing landmarks your child will know…the playset, mailbox, driveway, neighbor’s house, tree fort, etc). Make sure you hide a treasure where X marks the spot!
Then you are ready to head out! Give your child a compass and have them hunt for the treasure!
Variation! You could do this in your yard as well. For example…walk 10 steps North, then turn to the East. Now walk 25 steps East…and so on.
Eye-Spy
A classic game of eye-spy can make your child forget they are exercising. Take turns finding an item along your nature walk and describing it to the other.
A fun way to play this and cover a lot of ground is to set a number of steps you have to take before you stop and find an item. For example, walk 50 steps and then you all stop and play one round.
Who can collect more…?
Who can collect more red leaves, pinecones, purple flowers, sticks that look like slingshots, etc. Make sure to bring bags for each child to collect their items.
You can make this even more fun by setting a timer for each round.
Rock Collecting
This is always one of my favorite nature walk activities for kids…and it’s easy for you! Take off on a stroll to find the very best rocks. You could make it a contest as to who can find the shiniest, roundest, or coolest rock. Or you could team up and find those precious Agates!
Make sure to bring along a bag or bucket to collect your treasures.
Create a Story
During your nature walk, you and your child can take turns adding to a story based on what you are seeing. Before starting choose if you are going to create a non-fiction or fiction story and then head out on your walk.
Example: Once upon a time there was a village of ants. Except these were not any ordinary ants. They were as large as an oak tree and as strong as a tornado….
Nature Journaling
Grab your journals and a picnic blanket head out on a walk. Once you arrive to a good spot, lay the blanket down and get to journaling. Here are some ideas your child could journal about…
- What you are seeing and feeling at that very moment
- A fiction story that takes place in that very spot
- How many trees can you identify from where you are sitting
- Draw a scene from that very spot
I can Identify…
Grab your handy dandy Nature Identification cards and head out in search of all the different types of trees, birds, plants, etc. You could have a different item to identify each time. Check off or make a list of the ones you can find!
HaVE A PICnic
And finally, what is a better way to end a nature walk than to have a picnic?! Pack your favorite treats, a picnic blanket, and your favorite backpack, and head out to your ideal picnic spot.
What other nature walk activities for kids would you add to this list? Let me know below!