Nature Scavenger Hunt

To help the children to notice the diversity in nature and to grow in appreciation for God's great gift of creation

The children will see more clearly that all creation is a sacred gift from God to be protected and nurtured.

• Lists of items for the scavenger hunt

• Explain to the children that they will have a short time (about five minutes) to go on a nature scavenger hunt.
• The object of the hunt is not to collect things, but simply to observe them. They are to work in pairs and must stay within the assigned area.
• Give each set of children a list of 10 characteristics that can be found in nature, such as the following:

Soft	Growing	Silky	Fragrant
Bumpy	Hard	Yellow	Moving
Fuzzy	Black	Prickly	Brown
Sticky	Rough	Smooth	Variegated

• Next to each characteristic, leave space to write the name of an object from nature with that characteristic.
• Send the children outside to find examples of each characteristic on their list.
• Close by returning to your gathering space and discussing the variety of objects that the children found.
• Lead them in a short prayer of thanksgiving for the wonders of God's creation. Use the following words or words of your own.

"God of creation, thank you for all of the wondrous things that you've created for our delight. Help us to treasure each of your gifts and to care for them properly. Amen."

Body Smart, Nature Smart

Be sure that the children have a clear understanding of where they are allowed to look for these objects and how much time they have to find them.

Obtain permission from your catechetical leader to take the children on the hunt.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.