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You are here: Home / Gross Motor Activities / Nature’s Treasure Hunt

Nature’s Treasure Hunt

September 19, 2016 by Amy Smith

With all the recent popularity of the Pokemon Go game, it is easy to see that people really enjoy walking around when they are looking for things to find. This nature’s treasure hunt game has that same motivating piece of finding hidden “treasures”, but doesn’t require your child’s face to be glued to a smartphone.

Outdoor activity that encourages kids to hunt for nature's treasures while getting exercise and boosting math and science skills. Get outside and try it today!

 

This nature’s treasure hunt game encourages kids to actually look around and explore nature while learning about natural objects at the same time. Boost your child’s math and science skills by finding and counting specific animals, plants, or insects on their “treasure hunt” as well. It is fantastic to get the kids away from their screens and out in the great outdoors! However, if your kids get tired like mine you may wish to bring along your amish made wagons to help keep things moving when they feel fatigued!

How to Play

Find a local park, trail, outdoor area to find the “treasures”

Grab a stamper and ink pad

Make a list of objects to find on the nature “scavenger hunt” ahead of time- Try these FREE PRINTABLES for ideas

Free Printable (Ideas Included)

Free Printable (Blank Grid)

nature-pic-ed

Let your child explore the area while trying to find the items on the list

natures-treasure-hunt-distance-ed

After your child finds an item, let him use the stamper to place a stamp in the designated area

 

natures-treasure-hunt-stamping-m-ed

 

Keep playing until all the objects are found on the list!

natures-treasure-hunt-signs

 

Health Benefits of the Outdoors

  • increases exercise and activity levels
  • improved mood
  • improved sleep
  • increased serotonin levels (the “feel good” neurotransmitter)
  • increased levels of vitamin D (needed to combat certain cancers and auto-immune disorders)
  • improved air quality (indoor air has higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air)
  • increased connectivity to the environment


So get outside and enjoy being with your “little treasures” while they find their own little treasures 🙂

 

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Related

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: academic activities, outdoor activity, science

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

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