How to Get Kids Outside When They Don't Want to Go (Even in Bad Weather)
Let’s be honest: Getting kids outside is easy in June.
Getting kids outside in December, when it takes 20 minutes just to put on snow pants... is a different story.
We are big believers in the 1000 Hours Outside challenge, but sometimes my boys need a little more motivation than just "go play."
When the cold sets in and the whining starts ("I'm cooooold", "Walking is booooring"), I pull out our secret weapon: The Clipboard.
There is something magical about giving a child a clipboard. Suddenly, they aren't just walking; they are on a mission. If you need a way to turn a chaotic walk into a focused adventure, I created a free nature scavenger hunt pdf that you can download today to save your sanity.
What’s inside this Nature Scavenger Hunt PDF?
I didn't want a list of things my toddler couldn't read. I wanted a resource that worked for all my boys, from the littlest explorer to the big kids.
Here is exactly what is included in the free download:
1. The "Year-Round" Hunt
This is our go-to list for any season. It focuses on the staples of nature—pinecones, birds, clouds, and tracks. It uses clear, cute illustrations so even pre-readers can be the leaders. They spot it, they check it off!
2. The Winter Edition
Winter nature study looks different! This page is specifically designed for the cold months, encouraging kids to look for things like bare branches, evergreen trees, and berries that survive the frost.
3. Black & White Coloring Versions
Sometimes we bring the nature study inside. I included black and white versions of the checklists so your kids can color them in as an art activity, or you can save printer ink by printing these on standard paper!
3 Ways We Use This to Beat Boredom
1. The "Lamination Hack"
Winter is wet. If you have a laminator (or just clear packing tape!), seal these pages up. Then, give your kids dry-erase markers. They can check off items in the snow, wipe it clean, and do it all again tomorrow.
2. The "Ice Hunt"
We like to look for things trapped in the ice—frozen leaves, sticks, or stones. Using the checklist to spot these items adds a fun "detective" layer to a frozen walk.
3. Neighborhood Bingo
You don't need a forest to do this. We use this just walking around our neighborhood or local park. Finding a "stump" or "tracks" in a neighbor's yard counts!
Ready to turn your next walk into an adventure? You can grab the full 4- Page Nature Scavenger Hunt PDF pack right here.
*Tag me on Instagram @LittleGoldenGrove so I can see what treasures your little explorers find!
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