Having a trail to follow or things to look out for always makes a walk more interesting. Little legs never seem to tire quite as quickly when there are things to do and see. A rainbow nature hunt is a fun way of encouraging children to notice all the different colours that nature has to offer.
Setting up the rainbow nature hunt was very simple. I coloured some squares on a piece of white cardboard in rainbow colours. I then popped some glue dots in my bag so we could stick the items we found to each colour.
The Temple Gardens in Langley Park is one of our favourite places for a walk. I was hopeful that we would manage to find all our colours there – especially there were still some rhododendrons in bloom. The walks around the garden are also a nice length for Jessica to manage without needing her buggy.
The rhododendrons were long past their best. However, there were still some fallen blooms in a few of the colours we were looking for. The girls spotted some purple ones first, followed by pink. They were so busy focusing on all the different colours that it was a while before they noticed all the green and brown around them too!
The girls took a short break from their hunt when we got to our favourite tree. Jessica always loves to try and climb it and the low branches are perfect for this.
The girls managed to find nine of the colours on their sheet without too much difficulty. Finding something blue was a struggle though. They were almost about to give up and go with “the sky” for blue when we spotted some forget-me-nots.
Jessica and Sophie both loved their rainbow nature hunt. Having something to look out for certainly helped Jessica to walk further than normal. We ended up walking nearly two miles in our wanderings around the garden. She was tired out by it though so I wasn’t surprised when she fell asleep in the car on the way home!
This year we’re taking part in #30DaysWild – a challenge from the Wildlife Trusts to get outside each day in June, do something wild and connect with nature.
This is such a lovely idea, I might do this with mine next time we go for a walk on the hills.
Nat.x
Thanks Nat. I am sure your girls would love doing it 🙂
A lovely way to connect with nature. An activity you can use through the seasons too. I’m sure they will be asking to do it again. #CountryKids
It is a lovely activity. We will definitely be doing it again! 🙂
We did this one last autumn and like your girls he children here loved it. It is amazing how many colours there are in nature and it certainly makes exploring fun. I was going to suggest Forget me not for the missing blue. We have lots of it here on the farm, they are such small yet pretty blue flowers. Such a lovely way to study nature for little ones.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
It is a lovely way of looking at nature and we will definitely do it again. I was surprised that I struggled to find forget me nots – we usually see plenty of them on a walk!
I love this idea of a rainbow hunt. We have done nature treasure hunts before but not one based on colours. Will definitely be giving this a go! #CountryKids
It was lots of fun. We’ll certainly be doing it again 🙂
A rainbow nature hunt sounds like a great idea especially in the summer when it’s dry and warm(ish). Love the smile on their faces as they finished. #countrykids
Thanks Dean. It is a lovely activity to do 🙂
Aww! What a lovely activity. So simple but a lot of fun. It looks like you had a lovely time.
#CountryKids
Thanks Kim, it was so much fun 🙂
That’s such a great idea and a great challenge to be involved with #CountryKids
It’s so much fun. We’re really enjoying getting out more and trying some new things because of it 🙂
oh I absolutely love this idea, and I love how it is free. a free day out = a winner in my book. I love nature scavenger hunts, I can’t wait until my LO is old enough for us to do these. I really liked this idea, I’m going to tweet it 🙂 #CountryKids
Thanks Naomi – free activities are always good! Thanks for sharing it on Twitter too 🙂
I need to do this one with my eldest. Such a great idea. #countrykids
It’s a lovely way of making a walk more fun 🙂
Lovely idea. Really simple but keeps them entertained. #countrykids
Thanks Emma, the girls enjoyed doing it 🙂
Awww what a lovely way to get to know nature more =) #countrykids
Thanks Merlinda, it was lots of fun 🙂
I am loving all the 30 Days Wild posts across SM. This is such a brilliant idea and you have obviously shown that it gets kids outside, interested in their surroundings and walking much further than they do normally!
#countrykids
Thanks Karen, we’re really enjoying taking part 🙂
What a great idea I love this! So simple and so effective. We go geocaching which keeps my kids walking but this idea is ace! #CountryKids
Thanks Jo. We love geocaching too 🙂
I have to say I absolutely love this! Both yours and Fiona’s Country Kids have inspired me this week – what a great idea. I’ve seen lots about the 30 days wild and must look into it a bit more! #CountryKids
Thanks Sherry, so glad it’s given you some inspiration too 🙂
We so something very similar with an egg carton i painted all the colors on. I love this idea though because at the end you have a little piece of art! I’m going to try this paper and glue dot method next time. #CountryKids
Using an egg carton is a great idea. I’ll have to try that one next time 🙂
Wow they are looking older all of a sudden!! I love this idea though and so simple too. You are full of good ideas!!! #countrykids
Thanks Karen. They are certainly growing up fast!
This is a fantastic idea and one I’m inspired to do when we are on our walks. #CountryKids
Thank you Helena, it was lots of fun 🙂
This looks like a really fun activity and I love the glue dots idea!
Thank you, we enjoyed doing it 🙂
How lovely. What a great way to connect with nature. Looks like they had a great time xx
Thanks Susan, they loved it 🙂