Summer is over, and that means it’s time to head back to school. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to keep the kids entertained in the autumn months ahead. I love sharing Autumn activities for kids. Today I’m sharing a free autumn scavenger hunt printable, perfect for those long afternoons on weekends when you need a break from homework or for any time with your preschoolers and toddlers. Print out the pdf, grab some crayons, markers or coloured pencils and head outside!
Ad – This post contains affiliate links. These are marked with *. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I have a nature walk scavenger hunt free printable for every season. This one is perfect for autumn but do click through if you want some for every other season too.
Find more seasonal activities for kids here.
How to do an autumn scavenger hunt for kids
Autumn scavenger hunts are great fun for kids and you get to teach them about autumn and the changes that happen at the same time. A scavenger hunt is one of my favourite autumn outdoor activities for kids
This free printable autumn scavenger hunt includes beautiful hand-drawn illustrations of things that you will find in nature in autumn like red, yellow and brown leaves, conkers (horse chestnuts) and acorns. This is one of my favourite autumn activities for preschool but it’s perfectly suited to older and younger children too.
Scavenger hunts are fun things to do on a walk with kids as it gives them something to focus on and hopefully keep them entertained and it gets them to notice the world around them.
To do this scavenger hunt with your kids, simply sign up to my email list below and you will be sent the free gift as a pdf to your inbox. Then you need to print it out and take it on your next walk. I’ve included a few recommended supplies below if you want to laminate it but you could just take the printed sheet of paper and a pencil and have fun.
Get some ideas for more Things to find on a walk here.
To adapt this scavenger hunt for toddlers and preschoolers who might not be able to draw a tick yet, simply get them to make any mark next to the corresponding picture when they spot it. This activity is perfect for early marking making practice. Find more great Forest school activities for 2 year olds here.
Benefits of using this autumn scavenger hunt for kids
One of the benefits of autumn scavenger hunts is that they’ll help you to get in touch with nature. It’s really relaxing and fun to take a walk with your kids and see what you can find. The autumn scavenger hunt is a great way to have some quiet time outside while exploring nature. You’ll also be able to talk about all sorts of different things like the changing colours of leaves and why they are falling, as well as where other objects may come from like acorns or pine needles.
Here are some more benefits:
- Encourage children to enjoy the outdoors during autumn
- Promotes nature appreciation and exploration
- Early mark making fun for little ones
- Teaches children of all ages about the changes that happen in nature in autumn
- Distracts children from getting bored on walks!
Recommended supplies you may need
You really don’t need much more than the printable autumn scavenger hunt pdf and a printer but you might choose to laminate it so you can use it time and time again. A clipboard is also really useful. I’ve included links to but these below in this handy list.
Where to do an autumn scavenger hunt
There are lots of great places where you can do this autumn scavenger hunt. My favourite place is on a walk in the woods. I love woodland walks especially in autumn and winter. You could also use it in your local park or on pretty much any family walk.
If you are in the North West region of the UK I have lots of recommendations for family walks here – The best family walks North West.
Join the Family walks North West Facebook group to be part of a community sharing the best walks for families across the region. Click here.
What age is the autumn scavenger hunt suitable for?
I’ve made these scavenger hunt clues suitable for any age. Toddlers and preschool-aged children can use the illustrations to visually see what they are looking for. Older children will also enjoy this nature activity too though.
Find more ideas for outdoor activities for toddlers here.
Get your autumn scavenger hunt printable here
More outdoor kids activity ideas for autumn
- Find 99 more ideas for things to do outdoors with kids in my post – 100 things to do outside with kids
- Autumn is a fantastic time for collecting nature. Here are some ideas for things to collect on a nature walk.
- As the evenings get darker earlier this is the perfect time for creating DIY paper bag lanterns and taking them on a lantern walk.
- Another way to entertain kids on a walk is Geocaching with kids
- After your walk, warm up and snuggle down with these autumn children’s books.
- If your child is under 3, you’ll love these autumn books for toddlers.
- If your little one loves art then you need to read my post with over 20 ideas for easy and fun Autumn art projects for toddlers
I hope you enjoy this printable scavenger hunt for autumn walks. You can use it to have fun with children while teaching them about the changes in nature that are happening during the autumn season. Kids will love hunting around their neighbourhood and beyond, looking for objects on the list download your own copy now so you can get started right away!
Pin for later:
