Calling All Explorers

©2009 begin with a Sunny Outlook

Treasure Hunts, Scavenger Hunts, Rock Digs, all happening right in your own yard. Let kids discover that their backyard is full of fun and excitement, just like we did as kids.

A Pirate's Treasure Chest

OUR LITTLE NEPHEW SAID THAT HE wants to dig for rocks and own a rock store when he gets big. Treasures! And our yards are full of them. Families can plan a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt right in their own yards.


Treasure Hunt: Create a treasure chest by painting or dressing up a wooden or cardboard box to hold whatever exceptional finds that are discovered in the yard. To dress up the treasure chest you can make rope handles and glue things to the outside such as rik rack, colored rhinestones, colored construction paper, photos, or whatever comes to mind. Then fill the treasure chest. Colorful rocks, old marbles, acorns and pine cones, old coins, an old key, a small toy, a lost golf ball. Who knows what will be uncovered.

Overtime the ‘treasure’ will grow and one evening when you’re making s’mores in the backyard, every one can enjoy a look through the treasure chest.

Scavenger Hunt: Make teams of 1, 2 or more explorers. Create a list of items that can be most likely found in your yard such as pine cones, acorns, rocks, a flower of a specific color, sticks, a tree leaf, a ball, a blade of grass, a small clay pot, a lost jack, etc. Place a time limit, and the team that has collected the most items on the list before the time runs out wins! (Maybe the prize could be that the winner(s) gets to pick their favorite dinner or dessert).