Nature Scripture Scavenger Hunt: Family Fun With Purpose

(For free printable, click on blue download button below.)

Now that the birds have returned to nearby treetops and spring flowers have finally started peeking out from the ground, I’m excited to enjoy time with my family outdoors.  Board games and cocoa have been replaced by jaunts to area trails, followed by a trip to the ice cream shop.

There’s just something about standing together amidst trees and creeks and cloudy skies that connects my family, not only with each other, but with the One who created it all.  Nature offers so many lessons about the character and faithfulness of God, if we’ll take the time to notice them. 

Several years ago, I put together a nature Scripture scavenger hunt that our family completed with a small group from church.  It was a glorious late-spring evening, and we had fun exploring both nature and Scripture together.  (Despite the fact that I somehow managed to mix up two of the Bible references!)

Recently I pulled out that old scavenger hunt and decided to repurpose it here on the blog. I fixed up the errors in the original, added a few new ones, and put together this Nature Scripture Scavenger Hunt that I hope you and your family will enjoy!

(Downloads are only available to More Like Grace subscribers: With downloading, you’ll be opting in to our email newsletter with more encouragement and freebie news. Unsubscribe any time.)

Time Needed: 

1/2 hour to 1 hour

Overview: 

This scavenger hunt provides 12 short challenges, each of which can be completed in about 5 minutes.  (For smaller kids, I recommend doing half the challenges for one hunt, and saving half for another day.)   Challenges do not need to be completed in any particular order.

You can divide into groups to complete the hunt, or travel together as a family.

Supplies Needed:

Nature Scripture scavenger hunt cards (Download Above)

A box or basket to collect objects

An empty water bottle or lidded jar

A Bible

A camera (cell phone camera works just fine)

The Challenges: 

Challenge 1: Sand

Read: Psalm 139:17-18

Collect: A bit of dirt or sand.

Discuss:  What do you think God thinks about when He looks upon our family?

Pray: Thank God for the way he takes care of your family.

Challenge 2: Sky

Read: Psalm 19:1

Collect: Take a picture of the sky.

Discuss:  According to this verse, what are the skies doing right now, even as we’re looking at them?

Pray: Say a prayer of praise, declaring three great things God has done.

Challenge 3: Leaf

Read: Proverbs 11:28

Collect: A leaf

Discuss:  What kind of “riches” does our family enjoy?  What would we do if He decided to take one of those riches away?

Pray: Ask God to help you love him more than you love money/things.

Challenge 4: Animals

Read: Job 12:7-8, 10

Collect:  Take a picture of an animal, bird, or fish.

Discuss:  What does this verse teach us about God?

Pray:  Thank God for creating all your three favorite animals.

Challenge 5: Grass

Read: Psalm 104:14

Collect: 5 blades of grass

Discuss:  What foods do you enjoy the most? According to this passage, who provides all this food?

Pray: Say a prayer of thanksgiving celebrating the good foods God has given.

(Downloads are only available to More Like Grace subscribers: With downloading, you’ll be opting in to our email newsletter with more encouragement and freebie news. Unsubscribe any time.)

Challenge 6: Birds

Read: Isaiah 40:29-31

Collect: Gather a feather from a bird. (Or take a picture of a bird.)

Discuss: What kind of jobs or activities make you feel tired or weak?  According to this verse, how can we get new strength?

Pray:  Ask God to help you remember that you can turn to him for strength when you are feeling weak.

Challenge 7: Water

Read: Isaiah 58:10-11 (NLT)

Collet: Find a river, pond, or spring.  Gather some of its water in a bottle.

Discuss:  If we spend our energy to take care of those in need, what does God promise to do for us in this verse?

Pray: Ask God to give your family one idea for how you could help those in need during the coming month.

Challenge 8: Fruits

Read: John 15:4

Collect: A piece of a vine or fruit/berries.

Discuss:  What kind of “fruit” in our lives will show that we’re connected to Jesus?

Pray: Tell God about one fruit you’d like to grow more in your life (ex. patience, kind words, honesty, courage). Ask him to be the source and help you grow in this area.

Challenge 9: Rock

Read:  Psalm 62:2

Collect:  A rock or pebble

Discuss:  In what ways is God like a rock?

Pray:  List three things that never change about God:  Thank God for them.

Challenge 10: Tree

Read:  Psalm 1:1-3

Collect: Something from a tree (stick, pinecone, piece of bark)

Discuss: If we want our lives to be like a big, strong tree, what does this verse tell us to do?  What does it tell us not to do?

Pray:  Ask God to help you stay faithful in studying the Bible

Challenge 11: Flowers

Read: Luke 12:25-27

Collect:  A flower

Discuss:  What is something that makes you feel scared or worried?  What does this verse teach us about worries?

Pray:  Ask God to give you peace about the things that make you feel scared.

Challenge 12:  Your Turn!

Read: Jeremiah 32:17

Discuss: What is something in nature today that reminds you of God?

Collect:  Gather that object (or take a picture of it).

Pray: Thank God for His beautiful creation, and the way it reminds us of Him.

________

I hope you and your family enjoy this little scavenger hunt. And even more, I hope it helps you connect with each other and God in a meaningful way. Happy hunting!