This is a great time to be outside before the heat of summer takes over. One way to take advantage of the good weather is to go on a family scavenger hunt at the park, in your backyard, or in your neighborhood. You can look for different colors in nature or specific things like a bird's feather, wildflowers, acorns, animal tracks, or pinecones.
If you are using written clues, make your descriptions short, or, better yet, cut pictures out of a magazine that depict the items to look for, especially if there are younger, non-readers in the hunting party. Take into consideration the size of the area where the hunt is to take place. Make sure the items to be found are spread out from each other so the players have enough space to search. Offer a prize to the person who finds all the items first. You can even have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and give out ribbons. If you don't want to have a prize at the end, bragging rights for finishing first sometimes is enough to satisfy one's competitive spirit.
The following links will take you to scavenger hunts that have already been created:
Parents: Creative Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids, opens a new window
Good Housekeeping: 35 Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids, opens a new window
Get your binoculars and magnifying glasses ready, and let the hunt begin!
If all that searching has made you tired, and you need to sit and rest your feet, click on this book list to find your next read and enjoy:
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