From colorful leaves to hidden treasures, these 5 easy autumn scavenger hunt ideas are designed to spark curiosity, encourage outdoor play, and help kids connect with the wonders of the season.
Autumn is such a fun time for children – crunchy leaves, acorns, pine cones, and that crisp fall air… what’s not to love? If you’re looking for a simple, low-prep way to celebrate the season, a scavenger hunt is the perfect mix of learning and play.
Here are five easy autumn scavenger hunt ideas that will encourage kids to explore the world around them, sharpen their observation skills, and burn off some energy—all while celebrating the beauty of fall.
1. Autumn Spotter Sheet Scavenger Hunt
I’ve been using spotter sheets with my own kids since they could walk, and they’ve always been a hit! There’s something so exciting for children about having their own checklist and carefully ticking off each item as they find it. Spotter sheets are brilliant for encouraging kids to slow down and take a close look at their surroundings—whether that’s on the walk home from school, a trip to the local park, or an outdoor classroom exercise.
The best part? They’re so easy to set up. You can quickly and easily make your own with a pen and paper, download free versions online, or buy ready-made sheets with seasonal themes, like my “Signs Of Fall” Scavenger Hunt 😉. No matter which option you choose, they’re a simple way to turn an ordinary walk into an adventure.
Tip: For younger children, keep the list short and include pictures. For older kids, you can make it more challenging by asking them to identify specific trees, find different types of mushrooms, or collect leaves in various stages of autumn colours.
You can read all about my “Signs of Fall Scavenger Hunt” here.
2. Collecting Autumn Nature Treasures Hunt
This version is one of my favourites, especially for little kids who love collecting treasures. Simply tape or glue a scavenger checklist onto the front of a paper bag. Children can then check items off the list and collect nature finds inside the bag as they go.
Extension Idea: Conkers, colorful leaves, interesting sticks, and seed pods all make perfect “treasures.” Once back in the classroom or at home, kids can explore their finds more closely, sort them into groups, or even use them for craft projects.
3. Leaf Rainbow Hunt
Turn leaf collecting into a colorful challenge with a leaf rainbow scavenger hunt. The goal is to find leaves to represent each color of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Younger kids can stick to the main colors, while older children may enjoy searching for different shades (think rusty orange, golden yellow, or deep maroon). This activity helps kids notice the subtle changes in nature during autumn and is a lovely way to combine science with art.
Extension idea: Once collected, the leaves could be used to create an Autumn Leaf Crown activity—a fun, hands-on craft where kids transform their finds into a wearable piece of seasonal art.
4. Autumn Animal Scavenger Hunt
This one is an absolute favourite in our house, even as my kids get older, they still love it! I take teddy bears and hide them around the garden or in the woods, and the challenge is to find them all. To make it more fitting for the season, I like to use teddys that represent animals you might actually see in autumn, such as hedgehogs, rabbits, squirrels, or owls. You can even create an extra learning element by choosing animals that hibernate (like hedgehogs) and animals that don’t, then hiding them in places they might be found in the wild, for example, a hedgehog teddy tucked into a pile of leaves.
If you don’t have soft toys handy, printed-out photo cards of animals work just as well. This scavenger hunt idea is easy to adapt for younger or older children, and it blends play with nature learning in a way that feels magical.
Extension idea: Once all the animals have been found, ask children to sort them into two groups—animals that hibernate and animals that don’t hibernate. Older kids could even research what each animal eats in autumn to prepare for the colder months. This turns the hunt into both a playful game and a seasonal learning opportunity.
If you love this idea, you’ll definitely want to check out my post with a FREE Autumn Animal Scavenger Hunt Printable.
5. Indoor Scavenger Hunt with Photographs
When the weather is too wet or cold, bring the scavenger hunt indoors. Instead of just drawings or clipart, you can use real photographs or even autumn objects brought in from outside to create a more realistic experience. Acorns, colourful leaves, pinecones, or conkers make great props, while photographs of pumpkins, owls, or scarecrows can be hidden around the classroom or home.
Children can work in pairs or small groups to find everything on the list, making this a fun and interactive activity that still captures the excitement of exploring autumn—even when you can’t be outdoors.
Another fun option is to use fall vocabulary cards. I have a free set available that you can download and hide around the room—kids love racing to find them, and it’s a sneaky way to build seasonal vocabulary too.
Extension idea: After the hunt, invite kids to choose one of the objects or photos they found and write a short description, story, or fact about it. This adds a literacy element and gives children a chance to share their discoveries with the group.
Why Autumn Scavenger Hunts Are Worth Trying
Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or caregiver, scavenger hunts are an easy, low-cost way to:
- Encourage outdoor play and exploration
- Support observational and problem-solving skills
- Boost teamwork and cooperation
- Inspire creativity through crafts, stories, and discussion
Scavenger hunts don’t just get kids moving, they’re also a fantastic springboard for writing. Children can record what they found, describe their favorite discoveries, or even turn their hunt into a short story. Pairing the activity with themed stationery makes the experience feel even more special.
If you would like ready-to-use pages, check out my Fall Themed Lined Paper Pack—perfect for writing centers, journals, or creative follow-up activities.
Autumn really is the perfect season for adventure, with its crunchy leaves, muddy puddles, and colourful leaves. These 5 easy autumn scavenger hunt ideas for kids are flexible, fun, and suitable for both the classroom and home. So grab your spotter sheets, paper bags, or leaf baskets, and head out on your next seasonal adventure!
Joanne
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