This super simple free printable is designed as a fun summer activity with cute vibrant images for each item- toddlers will love hunting to find each summer item around their yard, at the cottage or the beach! With toddlers, I treat this page more as a starting point to get the little ones excited about a walk in nature – if we find a few items and then get distracted by a line of ants carrying crumbs, that is still a pretty successful nature walk and we’ll save the rest for our next walk!
This scavenger hunt page for toddlers features easy-to-find items designed for ages 1-3 years. There are 12 items for little ones to hunt for with a checkbox beside each:
- a bee
- a butterfly
- a pink flower
- a ladybug
- a green leaf
- a dandelion
- a pinecone
- a feather
- a bird
- a rock
- a squirrel
- a stick
Tips for Using this Page with Toddlers
Ages 1-3 years usually do best with a point-and-find activity rather than the traditional ‘collect the objects’ hunt. Read out each item and let your little one look at the pictures so they know exactly what they’re hunting for. Then help your child find each item by leading them to an area where they might find the item and giving them little clues to help them locate it.
Turn it Into a Talking Game
You can offer simple prompts to help your child find the item:
- ‘What color is it?’
- ‘Is it big or is it little?’
- ‘How many can you see?’
- ‘Can you find something green?’
These prompts will help to add vocabulary, aid in observation skills and counting skills.
Remember, it’s ok not to finish!
Little ones may start the game and naturally be taken off in a different direction by their own interest, perhaps in watching an ant, finding a stick to play with or jumping into puddles. You can always check off a few items and then save the rest for another day if gently guiding them back to the activity isn’t working.
Best Places for Scavenger Hunting
This page is great to take along on a neighborhood walk, at a local park, at the campground or cottage, along a nature trail or in a grandparent’s garden… or of course, just your own backyard!
Safety First!
‘Look and Point’ is best for this activity, rather than actually collecting each item, especially for very young children. And of course, you probably wouldn’t be collecting a bird to bring home anyway!
What Kids Can Learn with this Activity
- Identifying objects
- Learning new vocabulary to match the summer season
- Matching pictures with real objects
- Noticing colors and shapes
- Counting
- Taking turns looking for objects together, especially if doing with siblings or friends
Please leave a comment and let me know if you and your toddler enjoyed this printable, I’d love to hear from you!
