Nature Treasure Hunt

This is a fun activity to do at a party or as a classroom activity.  Be sure to read the cautions at the bottom of the page before going off to hunt!

Parents/Teachers: The list included with this activity is very simple and designed for younger children, ages 4-6.  You can easily adapt the list for older kids by replacing the things below with more specific and challenging items.  Perhaps you could list specific plants to look for or different leaf shapes.  This activity can also be easily adapted for various seasons.  Look for different colored foliage and seed types in the fall, for example.

For this activity you will need:

-colored pencils or crayons

-magnifying glasses

-treasure checklist and a book or clipboard to put behind it.

Pair up with a partner, or form small groups.

Make sure each pair or group has all the supplies listed above.

Read the cautions listed below!

Take off and have fun!

Your mission is to find seven out of ten things listed below.

As you find each item, draw it on your paper. Use your magnifying glass if you need to see something very tiny.

1) A caterpillar

2) A butterfly or moth

3) a blooming flower

4) a seed or seed pod

5) a bird

6) a partly eaten leaf

7) an insect (other than caterpillar, butterfly or moth)

8) a bird nest

9) a chrysalis or cocoon

10) an animal with 4 legs

Very Important!  Please Read!

While hunting for your nature treasure, you need to be careful about what you touch. This activity is designed for observing (looking and listening to) nature, not collecting or disturbing.

Never pick up an unfamiliar caterpillar or insect. Some of them can sting and be very painful.  This is their way of protecting themselves.  It is best to look at them from a distance unless an adult knows it is o.k. to touch. 

Never pick unfamiliar leaves or take leaves/flowers from someone's property without permission. If you aren't familiar with plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac, you could end up with a very bad, itchy rash. That's no fun!  You also need to ask permission before picking flowers or leaves from someone's property.  The owner may not appreciate having his/her plants disturbed.

Don't try to reach out and grab a butterfly. Although they are very fast, and usually hard to catch, you could damage its wings if you do catch it.  It's best to observe it quietly from a distance so you can draw its picture before it flies away.

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