Winter Scavenger hunt for kids
This nature scavenger hunt is designed especially for winter
Are you looking for winter or Christmas scavenger hunt ideas? This is a great outdoor activity for kids to learn about the change of seasons and the natural environment around them.
This winter scavenger hunt is perfect for young adventurers who love exploring the great outdoors, whether it's a walk through a nearby field, a trek in the woods, or even a stroll along country footpaths during a dog walk. Participants will need to keep their eyes peeled and put on their trusty Wellington boots, as this scavenger hunt involves some walking and close observation.
This scavenger hunt is designed especially for winter. It will give children the opportunity to learn about the science of winter, including animal adaptations, weather patterns, and seasonal changes. It can also be a fun idea for a Christmas walk.
Free, printable activity sheets are provided for children aged 5 to 14, with interesting things to spot and questions to answer.
There is a wide variety of wildlife and plant life for kids to spot while wandering through the woodland or countryside looking for items to match the pictures. Along with the pictures, there are science questions and ideas for children to think about.
Activity introduction
Each winter scavenger hunt sheet has a range of things to find from the natural world. There are also questions for participants to discuss and solve as they explore the natural environment (we’ve provided answer sheets below).
Participating in an outdoor winter scavenger hunt can provide a range of learning outcomes for children, particularly when the hunt takes place in the countryside. They also promote physical activity and fitness by encouraging children to walk while searching for items on their lists.
Scavenger hunts help children develop their scientific knowledge by encouraging them to observe and identify different species of plants, animals, and insects. This can help students learn about ecosystems, food chains, and animal adaptations, among other topics.
They’re a great way of fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration as kids work together to find and collect items on their lists. This can help develop important social skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership.
The science context
Winter scavenger hunts can create engaging and interactive learning experiences that foster curiosity, observation skills, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. It allows children to become active participants in their own learning, igniting their passion for science and cultivating the next generation of scientific thinkers.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of the activity, kids will have gained a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the role that science plays in understanding it. The activity can also help to teach geography lessons by encouraging kids to explore different landscapes and geographical features, such as rocks and bodies of water.
They’ll also have a chance to get some exercise outdoors in the fresh air during the winter months.
Download our activity sheet
We have a choice of three different winter scavenger hunt games for you to download, for 3-6, 5-11 and 11-14 year olds. Each game asks a series of questions, so there is also a corresponding answer sheet available to download. Make sure the participants wrap up warm!
Going for a walk on or around Christmas? Please do share your pictures of what you find on your winter scavenger hunts with us on social media on Facebook and Twitter using our #SantaLovesSTEM hashtag. You can also send them via email to IETEducation@theiet.org to be featured in our online gallery.
Available Downloads
Winter scavenger hunt game
For 3 - 6 year olds
Winter scavenger hunt game
For 5 - 11 year olds
Winter scavenger hunt game
for 11 - 14 year olds
Winter scavenger hunt answer sheet
For 3 - 6 year olds
Winter scavenger hunt answer sheet
For 5 - 11 year olds
Winter scavenger hunt answer sheet
For 11 - 14 year olds
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