Free backyard scavenger hunt printable

Today I”m sharing this fun, easy, backyard scavenger hunt idea. Be sure to grab the free printable download.

Free backyard scavenger hunt printable

Are you looking for a fun, easy, low-prep activity to do with your kids? We’ve been loving this simple backyard scavenger hunt as part of our “mom school” at home these last few months. Sometimes I need something to get my little ones out the door and (usually) this is just the motivation they need.

Neither of my kids read independently yet so this visual scavenger hunt is perfect for them. I hand them a colored pencil and they color things as they find them outside.

kid’s backyard scavenger hunt tips

If you’re looking to mix it up, here are a few different ways we use the scavenger hunt printable:

give them a colored pencil and go: a little direction goes a long way and the kids have fun searching for all the items
a prize at the end: whether it’s the afternoon snack or a new coloring book, a little motivation to finish helps get them out the door when they aren’t eager to leave
pack a snack and make it an adventure: hand them an afternoon snack packed up in a sack along with their scavenger hunt and tell them to go brave the great outdoors
make it a secret mission: fold it up and put it in an envelope with their name on it and turn it into a secret mission.

P.S. If you don’t have a backyard, bring this to the park or a nearby hiking trail! In our house in Boston this would work well on the walking trails but we wouldn’t find most of it in our little backyard.