News  Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Who says you have to travel far to find excitement? From coastal trails to forest paths, Massachusetts is full of hidden natural wonders just waiting to be discovered. A nature scavenger hunt is a great activity for all ages—perfect for families, friends, or even solo adventurers. All you need are some pencils, a camera, or a few friends to turn your favorite nature spot into a wild game.

The possibilities for a nature scavenger hunt are endless. Download a printable checklist or bingo card or mix and match using the ideas below to create your own game. Grab a checklist, a friend (or the whole family!), and see how many treasures you can find.

• Find animals that have different physical features: legs, visible ears, a tail, an exoskeleton, wings, fur, scales, or fins.
• Find textures and patterns in nature: smooth, rough, pointy, furry, soft, bumpy, hard, squishy, slippery, striped, spotted, wavy, spiral, or symmetrical.
• Find species of different taxon: a mammal, plant, reptile, amphibian, insect, mollusk, bird, or fish.
• Find different signs of wildlife: scat, tracks, pellets, bones, fur, feathers, or nests.
• Find things in nature that resemble letters of the alphabet or different shapes: circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, star, or hexagon.
• Find wildlife in different locations: on a plant, under leaves/rocks/debris, in sand, in the sky, in the water, in a place they aren't supposed to be.
• Listen for different sounds in nature: rustling on the ground, animal calls, buzzing, water moving, crickets, and wind.
• Find colors in nature: pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, black, grey, or white.

Stay connected to nature all summer long! Visit MassWildlife's wildlife viewing guide for birding and wildlife viewing tips, information on wildlife viewing hot spots, and wildlife viewing ethics.

Did you find something interesting? Send it to MassWildlife on Facebook or Instagram.