Free Printable Camping Scavenger Hunt for Kids

There’s something about camping that gets the whole family excited! Kids crave the freedom to run around outdoors for hours on end, mom loves the opportunity to kick back and soak in a new novel in relative peace, and dad might be eager to try those new fishing lures. However your family camps, this camping scavenger hunt for kids is easy to take along and includes all of the key camp-themed items you’ll likely encounter. And, who knows, perhaps this will inspire a beach scavenger hunt, park scavenger hunt, or a plain old backyard hunt this summer!

search for objects around the campsite to complete the free camping scavenger hunt printable.

Recommended Grade Level:

Preschool

Kindergarten

1st Grade

Supply List
Coordinating Activities

Materials for the Printable Camping Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Paper
Writing Utensils

forest animal pattern block templates free printable pdf featured image

Using the Camping Scavenger Hunt for Kids

KIDS CAMPING SCAVENGER HUNT

EASY SCAVENGER HUNTS FOR KIDS BOOST CHILDREN’S OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS AND HELP THEM RECOGNIZE HOW TO USE THEIR SENSES.

When children are looking for specific items on the list, they have to classify objects by color, size, shape and even texture.

As children find each item, have them cross off the picture and then draw the object on the second page. Encourage them to use descriptive words including positions and locations.

This activity can be completed indoors on rainy days or outside during your family camping trip.

The free camping scavenger hunt printable includes the following items: tent, tree, hot dog, sleeping bag, flashlight, fire pit, marshmallow, s’more, bug spray, tree stump, mug, and paw print.

The scavenger hunt camping printable improves kids’ observational skills. In addition, you can ask questions to engage kids during the treasure hunt:

Which object was the easiest to find?
What object was the hardest to find?
Did you find other objects that are not on the sheet?

the camping scavenger hunt has two pages. one page has labeled pictures, and the other page has labels and space for children to draw their own pictures.

What Do Printable Scavenger Hunts For Kids Teach?

FUN SCAVENGER HUNT IDEAS FOR KIDS

STUDENTS CAN USE THE PICTURES AND CORRECTLY MATCH THEM TO THE CAMPING THEMED SCAVENGER HUNT WORDS.

What is the first/last/middle sound in each word?
Can you sort the items by size/shape/color?
Write the first letter of each word (or the entire word)
Can you think of other words that start with ‘T’ like in tent?

the printable camping scavenger hunt is available in color or black and white.

Benefits of Scavenger Hunts for Kids

Engaging in a scavenger hunt can be a fun and educational activity for kids, fostering the development of various skills:

Observation Skills: Scavenger hunts encourage children to pay attention to their surroundings, observe details, and identify specific items on their list.
Critical Thinking: Kids often need to strategize and think critically to solve clues, decipher hints, and locate hidden objects. This promotes problem-solving skills.
Teamwork and Collaboration: If done in a group, scavenger hunts provide an opportunity for teamwork. Children can collaborate, share ideas, and work together to achieve a common goal.
Communication Skills: Whether communicating with team members or seeking assistance, children practice verbal and non-verbal communication during a scavenger hunt.
Spatial Awareness: Navigating the hunt area helps kids develop spatial awareness and a sense of direction as they move around to locate items.
Cognitive Skills: Scavenger hunts often involve categorizing, comparing, and contrasting items, enhancing cognitive abilities and organizational skills.
Creativity: Designing or participating in creative scavenger hunts encourages children to think outside the box, fostering imaginative and innovative thinking.
Problem-Solving: Overcoming challenges and finding solutions to clues or obstacles during a scavenger hunt helps develop problem-solving skills.
Patience and Persistence: Hunting for items or solving clues may require patience and persistence, teaching children the value of perseverance.
Physical Activity: Scavenger hunts often involve movement and exploration, promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

try this easy scavenger hunt for kids on your next camping trip.

How To Use This Free Printable Camping Scavenger Hunt for Kids:

printable scavenger hunt

This activity is so simple to make and to ‘stage’ as an indoor scavenger hunt if necessary. If some of the objects are not found in your hunting space, feel free to add these items for your kiddos to find.

Print out a copy of the printable for each child.

A clipboard or something hard to set the paper on could help with tears or tiny holes in their papers.

Provide each child with a crayon, pen or pencil (and please remind them not to run with a sharp writing tool!)

Let them run free and explore their surroundings, with proper supervision of course.

Extend the Activity:

Create a Clue

If some of the items are tricky to find, give clues before frustration sets in or children lose interest entirely. You can always play, “hot” or “cold”!