AHEAD: This easy to set up Earth Day Scavenger Hunt is the perfect outdoor activity for Earth Day. Help teach your little one about the importance of keeping our community clean by finding and spotting items that belong and don’t belong in nature.
Earth Day Hunt
It’s hard to believe but I haven’t done a scavenger hunt with my kids like this before?!? I know! Crazy right! We do lots of other ideas but never have I set up a scavenger hunt outdoors like this! But the week before Earth Day was the perfect time to do one.
We are unfortunately in the midst of another lockdown, so we actually did our hunt in our backyard. But this activity is the perfect thing to do on a walk around the neighborhood. I hope to do one at the beach very soon!
The Best Sensory Bin and STEAM Books
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
I am no artist! If you have been following me for a while you know that I always say that you don’t need to be an artist to create activities for your kids. They love the effort no matter what it looks like.
For our scavenger hunt I thought about things in our community that I know they would be able to find easily and some that would be a bit more challenging.
I threw in a few items that were sounds as well. So for the sound hunt, they had to listen for a bird chirping. It was a great way to get them to be still if only for a few moments and listen and pay attention to the quiet nature noises around them.
Along with the natural items, I also asked them to find things like a plastic bag and paper. Things that didn’t belong on the ground. I also asked them to find the recycling bin. We talked about the different items and which trash bin they belonged in. As we found the plastic and paper items that didn’t belong on the ground we put them in the recycling bin where they did belong.
We talked about the recycling symbol and what it represented. I also mentioned that recycling is the last things we should do with an item. We should first try to reduce our waste failing that reuse it and if we can’t do either then try and recycle it.
A Smashing Success
This was a total hit with all my kids. Although the scavenger hunt only lasted about 15 minutes it led to over an hour of independent play. They played with the worms and bugs they found. My 6 year old even made her own scavenger hunt for her siblings. I helped my 3 year old twins find all the items on her list.
Skill Development Opportunities for Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
This activity is great for Appreciation and Knowledge of our Planet and Community, Language and Vocabulary Development, Hand-Eye Coordination, Fine Motor Skills, Problem Solving, Emotional Development, Trial & Error, Visual Perception, Cognitive Development.
Age Suitability
My twins are 3 years old and my eldest is 6. This activity is ideal for kids 3 years and older.
Looking for more Earth Day crafts and activities? Check out this round up of some amazing and fun ideas:
Supplies
(This post and list contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a commission. Please visit my disclosure policy for more information.)
- White Printer paper
- Cardboad
- Glue
- Sharpie
- Pencil
WILL YOU TRY THIS EARTH DAY SCAVENGER HUNT WITH YOURKIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER!
Absolutely love this! I just remembered it is Earth Day, and this will be an easy one to do after nap time! Thanks for sharing. 💕