Nature Bingo + Photo Scavenger Hunt
By Katie, Digital Marketing Coordinator
February can be long, gloomy, and cold. So why not appreciate the little moments, like the glistening on a snowflake in the sun, or the hoarfrost on the trees? Try this photo scavenger hunt to practice slowing down, mindfulness, and gratitude. It’s a fun way to capture memories and maybe even add a few snapshots to your nature journal!
Follow this blog or print the bingo cards for yourself and take them outside!
Nature Bingo
Cross off each bingo square every time you come across one of the following:
- A tree’s shadow
Which direction is the sun shining? Do you know which way is North? Can you guess what time it is based on the length of the tree’s shadow? This might be tricky!
- Wildlife
Any wildlife checks off this Bingo square! How quickly into your Bingo journey did you find signs of wildlife? Do you think you spotted the animal first, or did the animal first spot you?
- Winter berries
What colour are they? Can you squish them with your fingers, or are they frozen? Does it look like any animals have enjoyed these berries as a snack?
- Animal tracks
Look down. Can you see any tracks in the snow? Maybe a dog, a deer, or even a squirrel was there before you!
- A nest
Look up for this one! How big is the nest, and what animal do you think made it?
- Animal tunnel or holes
Did you find a mouse tunnel in the snow? Or an owls home in a tree?
- Water
Did you hear the water or see the water first? Where did it come from? Is it moving in a certain direction? What animals would benefit from this water?
- Flying bird
Check off this Bingo square for the first flying bird you see, admire its colouring and its call. Can you identify what kind of bird it is? Maybe download the Merlin Bird ID app to help identify by sight and sound.
- Signs of a woodpecker
Do you see holes in a tree or tree bark on the ground? Can you hear the signs of the woodpecker? Look for flashes of red among the trees.
- Clouds
Look up! Are there any clouds today? What shape are they? Do they remind you of anything?
- Snow
Which piece of snow draws your eye? Is it light and fluffy or is it hard and packed down? Is it wet enough to bunch into a snowball?
- Y shaped twig
Branches and twigs grow in all kinds of shapes. Can you make a slingshot or use it as a shovel?
- Perching bird
Check off this Bingo square for the first perching bird you see. Is it sitting alone or with many other birds? Can you identify what kind of bird it is?
- Tree with leaves
Not all trees are bare in the winter. What colour are the leaves? Are they leaves or pine needles? Do you see any leaves on the ground below the tree?
- Sunlight
What colour is the light? Take off your mitten and feel it against your hand. Is it warm? Do you know which way is North? Can you guess what time it is without looking at your phone, and only based on the sunlight?
- Tree stump
Let’s hope you don’t get stumped with this one!
- A nut
What kind of nut did you find? Is it hollow or still uneaten?
- Evergreen tree
Is it right beside you, or can you see it from far away? Is it covered in snow or is it bare?
- Frozen puddle
Did you step on it first or did you see it from far away? Does it crack under the pressure of your feet? Do you see any air bubbles under the top layer of ice?
- Pine cone
Are any pieces of the pine cone broken off? How big is it in the palm of your hand? Does it have a smell? Run your fingers over its grooves, what does it sound like?
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Interested in something visual to document your walk in nature? Try the abstract photo scavenger hunt! These are all about feeling, texture, colour, and wonder.
Get outside and take a photo every time you come across one of the following:
- Something that is your favourite colour
- Something smooth
- Something rough
- Something small
- Something big
- Something that amazed you
- Something different
- Something hard
- Something with a pattern
- Something that makes noise
- Something with a shadow
- Something that breaks
Now what?
The Nature Bingo card needs five squares in any direction to get a Bingo, but try to get a complete blackout—that’s the entire grid filled in!
You might be wondering, “Now what?” Well, take a moment to reflect—did you feel more connected to nature? Did you slow down and practice a bit of mindfulness? If so, mission accomplished!
But even if that’s not your thing, don’t worry—you can still enjoy the memories. Try adding your photos to a nature journal, or share them on social media to inspire others to explore the outdoors too!