Autumn Animal Scavenger Hunt

An Autumn Animal Scavenger Hunt is the perfect activity for getting outside and having a little adventure with the kids.

This simple scavenger hunt idea is fun and low prep, making it perfect for busy families and teachers. It works indoors, outdoors, on family walks, in the garden, and in the school playground. The best part? Setting up takes just a few minutes! It is such an easy way to add a little seasonal magic to everyday moments.

Full disclosure: I can’t actually take credit for this idea… it was stolen from my kids’ Grandad! 😄
He once set up a teddy bear hunt in the woods, and the kids loved it so much that every now and then I pinch the idea. I just grab a handful of their teddies, hide them around the house or garden, and boom — instant adventure. It’s honestly that quick and easy!

How to set up an Autumn Animal Scavenger Hunt

You can play a teddy scavenger hunt at any time of year, but in autumn I like to make it seasonal with woodland animals like foxes, hedgehogs, and rabbits. The idea is simple, gather a few soft toys or animal cards and hide them around your house, classroom, or garden for the kids to discover. You can give them a spotter sheet to tick off each animal as they find it, or keep it relaxed and let them hunt freely.

I like to use teddies but you can adapt it to whatever you already have at your home or classroom.

If you are going to use teddies or other figurines, look for woodland favourites like:

• 🦊 Foxes
• 🦔 Hedgehogs
• 🐿 Squirrels
• 🐇 Rabbits
• 🦉 Owls
• 🦌 Deer
• 🦡 Badgers
• 🐦 Robins or other garden birds

Gather around nine animals to keep the hunt engaging without it dragging on too long. Hide them in easy-to-reach places, under cushions, behind furniture, tucked into bookshelves, or even outside for a garden adventure.

If teddy bears are not an option, you can always create an Autumn Animal Scavenger hunt with pictures or download the one I have created. 🙂

This free, printable ‘Autumn Animal Scavenger Hunt comes with a spotter sheet and nine autumn animal cards ready to print, cut, and laminate. These are perfect if you don’t have woodland teddies or you want a quick, no-fuss setup. Simply hide the cards around your space and let the hunt begin!

No matter which option you choose, you can turn the hunt into a mini nature lesson by mixing animals that hibernate with those that don’t. Then hide them in “realistic” spots for example, a hedgehog snuggled into a pile of leaves, just like it might be in autumn!

Outdoor Autumn Activities For Kids

This activity is designed to keep things stress-free for grown-ups while giving kids a big dose of autumn magic. There’s no complicated setup, no endless crafting, and no special materials needed. Just a few hidden animals and a sense of curiosity.

It’s amazing how quickly children throw themselves into this kind of play, hunting under tables, peeking behind trees, and excitedly ticking animals off their spotter sheet. Each find feels like a tiny autumn adventure.

Creating Autumn Childhood Memories Through Simple Outdoor Adventures

For me, these kinds of simple seasonal activities are what childhood is all about.
Moments spent exploring, imagining, and having fun together.

This scavenger hunt gives kids space to play their way: some love racing to find every animal, others make up stories about where the animals are hiding. And really, that’s exactly how it should be.

Autumn Scavenger Hunt Ideas For Kids

If you loved this idea, you’ll definitely want to peek at my 5 Autumn Scavenger Hunt Ideas For Kids.
It’s full of easy, no-stress ways to get outside and make the most of the season.

Want to keep the autumn adventures going? 🍁

Take a peek at my Etsy and TPT shops for more seasonal printables, activities, and scavenger hunts your kids will love.

Joanne