Counting Scavenger Hunt

Getting out for some fresh air is important for all of us. Why not make a fun activity out of it? Take your children on a walk with you and enjoy a scavenger hunt along the way! Counting is a very essential math skill that we teach all of our children. We can practice counting in many different ways. A fun way to do so on a scavenger hunt is to count the objects you see while out on a walk. Encourage your children to come up with some basic items you typically see outside on a walk or on a playground. Come up with a chart listing those items and take it with you on your walk. As you walk and see these objects, encourage your children to tally how many they see. At the end of your walk, you can count all of the tallies and come up with your final numbers.

Age-appropriate Adaptations:

• Two-year-olds—Using illustrations for the objects on your chart may help your child refer back to what they are looking for and counting. While walking, you may need to point out an object on the chart for them to observe. They may need help with tallying and counting the end amount of tallies.
• Three-year-olds—Encourage them to make their own tallies next to the object on the chart they are counting. While walking, talk about what is around you and create conversation, helping them to find the objects on your chart in nature. They may need help counting the total amount of tallies at the end.
• Four-/Five-year-olds—Encourage them to come up with their own items to put on the chart. While walking, create dialogue about the objects they are observing and give them the responsibility of counting all the objects as well as tallying. After completing the walk, see how far they can get with the end counting on their own.

Skills Supported: math, counting, observation, communication and gross motor