Free Printable Fall Scavenger Hunt for Kids: Get Outside and Explore!

Fall is the perfect time to explore together! Grab this free printable fall scavenger hunt for kids and enjoy a fun outdoor family adventure.

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As the weather cools down, it’s easy to spend more time indoors, but my kids still need fresh air and movement. Honestly, so do I!

Fall might not be pool or splash pad season, but it’s a fabulous time to get outside, especially if you can get out into nature where the crisp air and colorful leaves abound. This time of year, a nature walk becomes a wonderful opportunity to observe and explore how nature changes with the seasons.

That’s why I created this free printable Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt for kids. It’s a simple, fun way to turn a simple walk into a science exploration treasure hunt that kids will love.

Why Try a Nature Scavenger Hunt?

Sometimes, the hardest part about getting outside is finding the motivation to do it—especially when the weather starts to turn chilly. That’s where a scavenger hunt comes in!

A nature scavenger hunt turns a regular walk into a game. Kids become little explorers, noticing the details all around them—rustling leaves, pinecones underfoot, and the squirrels preparing for winter.

Here are just a few benefits:

Encourages curiosity and observation skills.
Gets kids moving and exploring the outdoors.
Builds vocabulary & knowledge as they describe what they see and ask questions.
Creates connection through simple, shared experiences as a family.

Ready to explore? Grab your jackets, download the free Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt printable for kids below, and hit the trails!

Download the Free Printable Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt

Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids

What You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy, just a few basics to get started:

The free printable Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt
A clipboard or notebook to hold your paper
A crayon, pencil, or marker to check off items
Optional: a small bag or basket for collecting a few favorite treasures

How to Play

Print your scavenger hunt and bring it along on your next walk or hike.
Search for each item on the list.
Check off what you find as you go.
For extra fun, take photos of your discoveries.

Pro tip: For younger kids, focus on the colors and textures of what you find—talk about how each item feels or smells. For older kids, talk about more advanced science concepts, like “Why do leaves change colors?” or the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees.

Keep the Fun Going

Once you’ve finished the scavenger hunt, keep the learning and creativity going with these simple ideas:

Create nature art: Use your found items to make leaf rubbings or nature collages.
Write about your adventure: Encourage kids to draw or write about what they found in a nature journal.
Learn together: Look up the different types of leaves or trees you discovered, or read fall books like A Seed is Sleepy or Leaf Man.
Display your finds: Arrange your favorite leaves, pinecones, or acorns on a windowsill or in a basket as a seasonal decoration. (Note: Make sure to bake pinecones and acorns if you’re going to keep them indoors. This helps eliminate bugs and bacteria that might be living on them. Learn how here.)