Free Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable for Kids

Head outside for a little adventure with this free nature scavenger hunt printable! Kids can search for leaves, birds, bugs, and more, checking off each item as they find it. It’s a fun and easy way to add an activity to your next fall walk or spend some time exploring the backyard.

I made this scavenger hunt with simple illustrations next to each word, so little ones can use the pictures to help them find everything. All you need is the printable and a pencil, and you’re ready to go!

About this Nature Scavenger Hunt Printable

This printable includes 16 things to look for in nature, all on one page. Each item has its own illustration and a checkbox for kids to mark when they spot it.

You’ll be searching for a leaf, pinecone, acorn, mushroom, rock, stick, feather, wildflower, butterfly, bird, snail, insect, cloud, tree, puddle, and something yellow.

The pictures are there to help, but your finds don’t have to look exactly the same. A green leaf counts just as much as a brown one, and any kind of bird will do!

I also added “something yellow” so kids can choose their own find. It could be a flower, a leaf, or another little discovery along the way.

What you’ll need

There’s very little prep for this activity, which makes it easy to bring along on a last-minute outing.

Want to use it more than once? Laminate the page or place it in a dry-erase pocket. Then use a dry-erase marker and wipe it clean for your next adventure.

How to do the Nature Scavenger Hunt

1. Print your scavenger hunt.
Print a copy for each child, or use one page together. Sharing a sheet is a nice option for younger kids or siblings who want to work as a team.

2. Choose a place to explore.
Head into the backyard, visit a park, or bring the printable along on a nature walk. Take a quick look at the pictures together before you start.

3. Find and check off the items.
Let kids search at their own pace and mark each box as they find something. Remember to look up for birds and clouds, too!

You only need to spot the items, so there’s no need to pick flowers or collect bugs. Leave mushrooms untouched and give little creatures plenty of space.

Tips for your nature walk

• Don’t worry about finding everything. Some things will depend on the season, the weather, and where you’re walking. You might find plenty of acorns but no butterflies, or spot a puddle after a rainy morning. Save the remaining items for another day!

• For younger children, you can start with a smaller challenge. Ask them to find a tree, a rock, and a leaf first, then see if they’d like to keep going.

• You can also use the printable to start little conversations along the way. What color is the butterfly? Is the rock round or flat? What does that cloud look like?

• If your kids enjoy the activity, bring it back to the same place in a different season. It’s fun to see which things are easy to find each time.