Paper Bag Nature Scavenger Hunt

Meeting curriculum standards through outdoor play can be as easy as a scavenger hunt! Scavenger hunts are awesome fun for children of all ages, but this paper bag nature scavenger hunt has been designed specifically with younger students in mind. 

This is a great activity to complete in groups or pairs to encourage teamwork, communication and connectedness. 

Begin by creating a simple book from paper bags that the children can use to store their discovered treasures in, instead of in their pockets or their shoes!

Depending upon the age of the children, you can either draw the objects on the bag for them, or let the children choose to draw and write what they believe they will find and store inside each bag. It can be helpful to brainstorm a list together as a group first. 

For older children you can then return to the classroom to complete classification activities following your scavenger hunt, involving students in sorting, creating tallies or tables, discussions and observations. Alternatively, for more outdoor engagement, complete follow up classification activities outdoors by sitting on large mats. 

The idea is easily adapted for a range of outdoor environments too – you can make a paper bag treasure book for exploring a school playground, a nature playground (if you are luckily enough to have one), a park or on a hike through the bush or forest. 

How to Make Your Paper Bag Scavenger Hunt Book

You will need: 

• Brown paper lunch bags 
• Stapler or large clip 
• Permanent marker 
• Optional: tape 

Give each student, pair or small group 5-7 bags. Invite them to label their bags with words and/or pictures using markers. Staple or clip the bags together to form a book.

Then head outdoors for some nature treasure hunting! You may be surprised at what inspires and excites your students in their everyday surrounds!