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A List for a Nature Scavenger Hunt

The secret to creating any successful scavenger hunt list is to vary it so that it is not simply a list of straightforward objects to be collected, but will also require participants to use their imaginations and take part in different activities. If the hunt is a competition you should also include some items that will be difficult to find so not every competitor or team will be able to find everything on their list.

Collected Items
- Participants should be able to collect the items and bring them back. (It is important not to include anything that requires damage to the environment to collect). Vary your list according to the season, but include: 3 different colors of leaves; 2 different varieties of moss or grass; a stone shaped like a heart; a leaf or fruit that has insect bite marks in it; 2 different types of feather a pinecone, acorn or nut.
Imaginative Items
- Include items on the list that require participants to use their imagination. Again you can vary the list according to season and location but include: Something from nature beginning with the letter "W"; an object that has appeared in the title of a book or poem; a twig shaped like the initial letter of the participant's name; an edible item (this should not be used in a list for young children who may not understand about poisonous berries and fungi); an item that could be used for carrying water.
Activity Items
- Your list should feature items that will require participants to get actively involved with nature. This should include: An unusual bark rubbing (these are made by holding paper against a tree trunk and rubbing over with a pencil or crayon to transfer the bark print onto the paper); a wearable piece of "jewelry" made from things they find during the hunt; a live beetle in a box (you will need to take this back to where it was found and release it later); a recording of a bird song (this can be done on a mobile phone).
Photographed Items
- Cheap digital cameras and mobile phones means it's easy to add picture items to a scavenger hunt. This is particularly useful for nature hunts so the list can include things to be found that would be either too large or damaging to take from their natural environment. Include photos of: A wild animal (extra points for rare or large animals); sunrise or sunset; animal tracks; something in the branches of a tree (this could be a bird, animal or person); a single photo featuring something animal, vegetable and mineral.

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