Move & Learn
SensoryToddlersKindergartners20 Comments
We went on a scavenger hunt as a backyard exploration. We’ve done outdoor scavenger hunts quite a bit. This time we made it a learning experienc as well as a way to explore our backyard in a different way. This time we set out in our backyard to explore textures.
We’ve done color scavenger hunts in the past, so I wanted to try out a new way to explore our backyard and really get the kids to closely examine their own backyard.
Another fun way to do a nature scavenger hunt like this is to make it into a nature walk scavenger hunt that incorporates counting for preschoolers!
And that’s how I realized that looking for textures would not only be a great way to the boys to really focus on objects found in nature, but also a great sensory exploration.
Textures are pretty open to interpretation, so for each texture, I asked Henry to describe what made it that texture.
Some textures that we looked for included:
- Smooth
- Rough
- Hard
- Soft
- Fuzzy
- Pokey (or prickly)
I started by telling the boys a texture to look for.
Henry would find something, sometimes he’d need a couple examples first (I tried giving him examples of the texture with an object that wasn’t available in our backyard so I he’d still have to come up with it himself).
George would then tag along and go find the same thing as Henry did. Even still, he’s learning about what the textures are, even if he copied his big brother.
After I gave them a few textures, Henry then took the lead and said he wanted to decide on the texture we’d hunt for next. The first one was Flat. Not quite a texture, but we still hunted for it!
Textures have quite a fine line in what can be described as a texture characteristic, instead of a shape. We weren’t too picky though and just went with the flow to make it a fun way to get moving and exploring in our own backyard.
More move and learn activities:
- Creating Patterns on The Pleasantest Thing
- Number Line Run Math Game on Coffee Cups & Crayons
- Name Broom Hockey on Toddler Approved
- All the Move & Learn posts here.
Here are ideas for 30 Gross Motor Activities for Kids with Lots of Energy
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Kelly says
I am a grandmother who spent Money on things to entertain my grandkids… I am so happy about these fun and easy activities to do with them!! It not only teaches them a lot but helps me to spend quality time with them! Thank you!!!❤️
sumon says
Thank you Madam Jamie. You are so cute.
SHirley Williams says
Jaimie, I am loving the challenge! IT is so nice as well as exciting to have something already planned for you! Today we did the milk, food coloring experiment! Karsyn was absolutely intrigued with it and was creating all kinds of interesting things e.g. A submarine in the deep blue sea, batman, ghosts, etc, He also simply glowed and revelled in the joy of knowing that his little magic wand, that would be the Q-tip. Could create such beauty! Every time he put his wand in he’d excitedly say: Look grandma! YOu’ve got to see this! It’s so cool! THe joy he was experiencing is imbedded in my mind! What a blessing! This was without a doubt, his favorite while the search for reading words in a ziplock bag filled with oatmeal along with the elastic challenge took a close second. It will be interesting to see his reaction to the texture challenge! I note your very handsome and cute boys were in shorts!!We no doubt will require a butterfly net to catch all lose objects as they wildly fly past us!!! We may also need armour to protect ourselves from the incredibly high winds we have been experiencing! SInce they are not exactly warm windswe will probably be wearing parkas and winter torques!!! BAhahaha!!!!! ……….. WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ADDING SO MUCH TO THE EXCITEMENT OF OUR DAY! Am very GREATFUL TO YOU! Shirley
Hannah @ Makingboysmen says
This is great, we’ve done colour scavenger hunts before, but never textures. We will have to give it a go. Thanks for sharing at the Outdoor Play Party
maggy, red ted art says
What a wonderful way to explore the outdoors. This time of year is particularly exciting with all the Autumn nature items such as pine cones and chestnuts! Lovely!
Megan says
I love this idea!!!! And you have awesomely textured things in your yard, I can’t wait to see what we find in ours!
Sarah @ How Wee Learn says
Such a great idea! We have a big preschool nature walk planned tomorrow – this might be a fun game to add in! Thanks for the ideas!
Jamie Reimer says
Oh fun! Looking forward to seeing what you do with your nature walk!
Emma says
I’d never thought of a texture scavenger hunt before. Such a fun way to explore nature!
Jamie Reimer says
Its definitely a different way to look at the nature around us!