Going on a treasure hunt in the backyard
Image: Benhi Dixon | DOC

Introduction

Go on a treasure hunt to find some weird and wonderful things out in nature.

What to do

  1. Download and print the treasure hunt activity sheet (PDF, 94K) or use it as inspiration to create your own on a piece of paper/card, or in your nature journal.
  2. Head outside and see if you can find all the items on your treasure hunt activity sheet.
  3. Describe what you find through writing, drawing or by taking photos.

See what you can find on the rocky shore

There are all sorts of fascinating critters who swim, crawl, climb and slime their way around rock pools at beaches, rivers and lakes.

Without disturbing anyone's home, investigate the wildlife that inhabits the shore.

The New Zealand Marine Studies Centre has produced a great rocky shore scavenger hunt (PDF, 145K) you can give the kids.

Get help identifying species

Get help from scientists and fellow nature observers to identify the plants and animals in your photos by uploading them to iNaturalist, Seek and/or NZ Bird Atlas.

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