Backyard Scavenger Hunt
scavenger hunt · ages 5-8 · easy
Editorial team · Published June 21, 2026
Send the kids outside with this ready-to-go backyard scavenger hunt and check off each find along the way. Every item is something you can spot in most yards or parks, so there's no setup required.
It's the easiest way to turn ten restless minutes into outdoor play. Hand each child a clipboard and a pencil and let the search begin.
Download & print — it's free
US Letter (8.5×11"). Print at home, no sign-up needed.
Tip: set your printer to “Fit to page” for best results.
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Frequently asked questions
What if we can't find one of the items?
Make it a wildcard: substitute the closest thing you can find and have your child argue the case ("this counts because…"). The negotiation is more fun — and more language practice — than the finding.
Can we reuse the hunt more than once?
Yes — the same list plays differently in different places: house, yard, grandma's, campsite. Laminate a copy with a dry-erase marker and keep it in the car; it's a reliable boredom-breaker on any outing.
Can my child do this one alone?
That's the sweet spot of this age — hand it over and let them own it. Resist hovering: figuring out a sticking point solo (or choosing to ask for help) is a bigger win than a perfectly completed page.
Why does the page look cut off when I print?
That's almost always a scaling setting. In the print dialog choose "Fit to page" (or 100% if your printer handles margins well) and make sure the paper size is set to US Letter. Printing from the downloaded PDF, rather than the browser preview, also gives the cleanest result.