Thinkabara

🌲 Nature treasure hunt

Google Classroom

A treasure hunt for the woods, a forest trail or a picnic area. One grown-up walks ahead and hides the clues along a short stretch of the path, and the rest of the family follows.

Before you start

  • Print the clues, fold each one, and hide it in the spot the clue before it points to. Hand the first clue to the kids to start.
  • In nature, never put hands under rocks or into holes, and don't pick flowers. Leave clues only in plain view.
  • Stick to a short stretch of trail, keep a grown-up in sight at all times, and collect every note at the end.

The clues (cut along the dashed lines)

  1. Clue 1
    My roots are enormous, my top scrapes the sky, Look by my trunk, it's easy to spy!
  2. Clue 2
    I'm heavy and gray and I've sat here for ages, Peek behind me (don't lift me) to turn the next pages!
  3. Clue 3
    I'm green and I'm low, not a tree and not grass, Look down by my feet as you're walking past!
  4. Clue 4
    I show you which way the trail goes next, Look right beside me, no need to be vexed!
  5. Clue 5
    We stop here to rest and to munch on a snack, Look under the table, then hurry right back!
  6. Clue 6
    When the sun's strong I keep grown-ups' heads cool, Ask Mom or Dad to take me off. That's the rule!
  7. Clue 7
    On a hike you must drink lots and lots, Look by the water bottle, the clue's in that spot!
  8. Clue 8
    Who carried the snacks and the fruit all the way? Look in the hiking backpack, the treasure's there today!
Show the answers (for the grown-up)
  1. By the trunk of the big tree
  2. Behind the big rock
  3. At the foot of the bush
  4. By the trail sign
  5. Under the picnic table
  6. Inside Mom's or Dad's hat
  7. By the family water bottle
  8. In the grown-ups' hiking backpack

Answer key (for the grown-up)

  1. By the trunk of the big tree
  2. Behind the big rock
  3. At the foot of the bush
  4. By the trail sign
  5. Under the picnic table
  6. Inside Mom's or Dad's hat
  7. By the family water bottle
  8. In the grown-ups' hiking backpack

The treasure

A magnifying glass, kids' binoculars, or a nature notebook for collecting leaves and drawings.

Questions and answers

How do I hide clues on a hiking trail?

One adult walks a few minutes ahead and places each note in plain sight, weighted with a small stone. Keep the hunt to a short, easy stretch.

Is it OK to leave notes in nature?

Only for the length of the game. Pick up every clue as it is found, and check the bag at the end so nothing is left behind.

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