Kids Activity: Early Spring Nature Hunt | News from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

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Can you find all 12 items on the nature hunt? Photo by Reba Luiken.

By Reba Luiken, Arboretum coordinator of informal interpretation

Are you ready to get outside and enjoy the spring weather? Grab an egg carton and this updated nature hunt sheet, and head outside to find some spring surprises. Some items will be more challenging to find than others, and some might be difficult to collect — you might have to be creative to get tree flowers because they usually bloom at the top of the tree first. Just like last summer’s version, there’s also room to make your own!

Use our nature hunt or make your own! Photo by Reba Luiken.

Materials:
Early Spring Nature Hunt Sheet
Empty egg carton
Tape
Scissors
Colored pencils or other coloring tools (if you want to design your own)

Instructions:

1. Print out the nature hunt sheet. Use the premade version or design your own with things you’d like to find where you are.

2. Cut out the nature hunt you plan to use and tape.

3. Head outside and hunt for the items on your list!

Extensions: Challenge yourself to find more than one of each kind of object. How many different kinds of lichen or seeds can you find?

If you design your own hunt, it’s helpful to have a mix of things that are easier to find and more challenging, especially if you want your nature explorers to stay engaged with the activity for a while. Repeat and adapt your hunt as the seasons change. This version is great for early spring, but you might be captivated by other colors in summer, fall or winter. You can check out another version of the hunt for later in the season here.

Adapted from @the.hidden.way on Instagram.