Outdoor Game: The Great Leaf Identification Challenge

Perfect for: Parks, forests, botanical gardens, or any tree-filled area

Best for: Kids aged 5+ (can be adapted for all age groups)

Activity Description:

Turn a walk in the woods into a fun and educational leaf hunt where kids collect, compare, and identify leaves from different trees. This activity combines exploration, observation, and nature learning in a hands-on way that feels like a real scientific investigation!

How to Do It:

1. Prepare a Simple Leaf Hunt Kit

• Blank paper or a clipboard

• Crayons or pencils for rubbings

• Leaf identification guide or a nature app

• Ziplock bags or envelopes to collect and sort leaves

• Optional: Magnifying glass for a closer look

2. Go on a Leaf Hunt

• Ask kids to find leaves of different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures.

• Encourage them to collect only fallen leaves, not pick them off living trees.

• Make it a game:

• Find a leaf bigger than your hand

• Find a red or yellow leaf

• Find a leaf with jagged or smooth edges

3. Play Leaf Identification Bingo

• Create a bingo-style card with boxes like:

• Maple leaf

• Oak leaf

• Needle (from a pine or spruce)

• Heart-shaped leaf

• Leaf with spots

• Cross off each type as they find it—first to complete a row wins!

4. Do Leaf Rubbings and Comparisons

• Place a leaf under a sheet of paper and gently rub over it with a crayon.

• Compare the veins, edges, and shapes of different leaves.

• Encourage kids to sort leaves into categories by type or texture.

5. Add a Scientific Twist

• Look closely at the veins and stem—how do they carry water?

• Discuss why leaves change color in autumn.

• Teach how trees can be identified just by their leaves.

6. Creative Add-On Activities

• Make a leaf collage or crown from collected leaves.

• Write a mini story: “The Journey of the Wind-Blown Leaf.”

• Create a “leaf museum” at home with labeled samples.

Bonus Tip:

Visit the same park in different seasons to see how the leaves change, and update your leaf collection throughout the year!

This relaxing yet engaging game helps kids connect with nature, develop observation skills, and appreciate the diversity of the trees around them. Let me know when you’re ready for another outdoor game or day-out idea!