Science
Nature hunt
Look closely around the school grounds, tick or point to things you notice, describe a texture and draw a favourite find. The adult-read hunt rules keep the focus on observing and leaving living things where they are.
Look, name and leave the nature finds where they are. Stay where the accompanying adult can see you.
Read the complete materialRead the material
Look closely around the school grounds, tick or point to things you notice, describe a texture and draw a favourite find. The adult-read hunt rules keep the focus on observing and leaving living things where they are.
Shared activity record. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
Page 1
NAME CLASS DATE I found things Scavenger hunt sheet 1 HUNT 2 DRAW 3 RUB OUTDOOR LEARNING AGES 5 TO 7 Nature hunt Our school grounds FIELD BRIEF Look closely outside. I can find and tick things. I can say where I found it. I can say rough or smooth. N 1 Find it, tick it leaf 1 where? twig 2 where? stone 3 where? feather 4 where? flower 5 where? seed 6 where? rough 7 where? smooth 8 where? green 9 where? bug home 10 where? cloud 11 where? hug 12 where? HUNT RULES: AN ADULT READS THEM ALOUD Find it, tick it, leave it. Look at plants. Let them keep growing. Leave minibeasts in their homes. Mushrooms and things you do not know: eyes only. Stay where your adult can see you. Wash your hands when we go in. Page 1 of 2
Page 2
It felt rough smooth bumpy GO FURTHER Find one thing that is green and smooth. Scavenger hunt sheet 1 HUNT 2 DRAW 3 RUB OUTDOOR LEARNING AGES 5 TO 7 AFTER THE HUNT My best find 2 Draw your best find MY BEST FIND My best find was a Write or say 3 Make a rubbing Hold paper on it. 1 Rub with a crayon on its side. 2 Look at the pattern. 3 RUB HERE HOW DID MY HUNT GO? COLOUR ONE. Not yet Getting there Got it Page 2 of 2
A teaching sequence
Find and record examples of natural features, say where they were noticed, compare rough and smooth textures and make a drawing or rubbing from a safe surface.
Look, name and leave the nature finds where they are. Stay where the accompanying adult can see you.
Read the complete materialLook, tick and leave it
Look for a listed natural item, tick it and tell the adult where it was noticed. Leave plants and minibeasts in place, and observe mushrooms or unfamiliar objects without touching.
Where did you notice the find while staying in the adult's view?
Draw a chosen find
Choose one find to draw. A child can point while an adult records the location or describe a feature using words such as green, rough or smooth.
Which feature helps you describe the find without touching it?
Try an approved rubbing and review
With adult approval, make a crayon rubbing on a safe, stable, non-living surface. Offer the final self-check and a discussion of one observation, then wash hands on returning indoors.
Has the adult approved a safe, stable non-living surface for the rubbing?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
Ask the child to show or describe one observation and where it was found, and to use a texture or colour word. Check that the activity stayed within the agreed boundary and that nothing was removed or disturbed. Invite the child to say more.
Give a little support
Offer a smaller list, visual choices or pointing instead of writing. Use a clipboard, seated observation point or accessible path as needed. An adult can write the child’s words and model one texture description.
Take the idea further
Invite children to compare two safe observations by colour, shape or texture and explain how they know. They can create an additional “look for” prompt without collecting or touching anything.
Things to keep in mind
The activity is for adult-supervised observation, not collection or identification of species. Do not touch unfamiliar plants, fungi or animals. Use only a stable, safe non-living surface for a rubbing; do not rub plants, animals, fragile surfaces or anything the site rules prohibit. Check the area and school procedures before use.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas for using this resource
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet a creator whose teaching interests connect with this template.
Margin Note
The outdoor hunt for ages 5 to 7 asks children to find and tick natural features, record where each was found and describe textures as rough or smooth. Prompts include leaf, twig, stone, feather, flower, seed, bug home and cloud.
Thoughtful Pause
The “where?” boxes connect finding an item with noticing its location, while drawing or rubbing gives pupils ways to record what they observed. The hunt rules are marked for an adult to read.
Storytime Sidekick
Review the adult-read rules before going outside and direct children to observe without harming plants or disturbing animals. Offer drawing instead of a rubbing when no safe, suitable surface is available.
Reread Reminder
The list does not override local site rules or adult supervision. Check each prompt against the school grounds and conditions, and do not pick, touch or approach anything the supervising adult has not approved.