Are you trying to find ways to keep your students engaged while hiking? Introduce them to the world of hiking games! Not only could these games make the experience more enjoyable for them, but they also provide great opportunities to interact with peers, enhance student learning, and deepen their connection to nature. So, grab your backpack, lace up your hiking shoes, and get ready for a wild and wacky experience with your students!
1. Play the Game Contact
Get ready for a word-guessing extravaganza with the game Contact! Choose a “Word Master” to pick a word (like “celery!”), and have the team use “yes/no” questions to guess. If the leader can interrupt with the answer before the teammates say “contact”, players keep guessing. Otherwise, the next letter is revealed.
Learn More: Outdoor Adventures
2. One Word Stories
Wanting to harness your students’ creativity while enjoying the great outdoors? Try One Word Stories! In this game, the goal is to create a cohesive story together; with each player contributing one word at a time.
Learn More: Rei.com
3. Scavenger Hunt
Brainstorm some items that students may find while hiking, or print a scavenger hunt sheet, before setting out on your expedition. Then, challenge students to find items on the list as they hike. See who can find them all first!
Learn More: The Crazy Outdoor Mama
4. Play “Follow the Leader”
As you wander through the great outdoors, switch things up by taking turns leading the pack in silly ways. Allow each child to take a turn being in charge. They can pick how everyone takes the next ten steps forward. Perhaps you will stomp like a giant down the trail!
Learn More: Oregon Kid
5. Geocaching with Kids
Have your students ever dreamed of experiencing a real-life treasure hunt? Then, Geocaching may be the perfect hiking experience for them! Just download the app to start learning how GPS coordinates can help you find treasure. Start discovering what you can find in your local hiking trails.
Learn More: Rei.com
6. Play “I Spy”
Use the classic game, “I Spy” but adapt it so that it’s nature-themed. See what local plants and animals you can spy on. Better yet, use students’ knowledge of adjectives to have them describe in detail what they see, and the various colors that exist in nature.
Learn More: Cool of the Wind
7. Finding Animal Tracks
Looking for tracks in a fantastic way for students to develop their observational skills. It may also bring wonder about how animals live their everyday lives! Plan ahead by printing off some basic tracks of animals who live around your local environment. Consider turning this into a mini-scavenger hunt!
Learn More: I’d Rather Walk
8. Create an Imaginative Adventure
Students love to place themselves into imaginary stories and adventures. Bring a few basic costumes like capes, or silly hats, and see what type of story they can make up as they walk. Perhaps, you are an explorer finding a new land or fairies in an enchanting forest. Let their imagination soar!
Learn More: Take Them Outside
9. The Alphabet Game
Have students play the alphabet game while hiking. They must find something in nature that starts with each letter of the alphabet. This is a fun way for students to learn about the different elements of nature around them and improve their observation skills.
Learn More: The Crazy Outdoor Mama
10. Using your 5 Senses
Challenge students to use all five of their senses while hiking. Have them focus on what they can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste in nature. Allow students to use their knowledge of mindfulness to connect with plants, animals, and more.
Learn More: The Ranger Zak Show
11. 20 Questions
One student thinks of an object in nature, and the other students take turns asking yes or no questions to try to figure out what it is. The objects can be plants, animals, rocks, or landmarks that they pass on the trail.
Learn More: My Adventure Gang
12. Walking Catch
Play a game of catch while hiking. Have students throw a ball or frisbee back and forth while walking. Students can run, jump, and pass the ball back and forth in the line of hikers. See how long the ball can stay in the air!
Learn More: Mommy Poppins
13. Hiking Obstacle Course
Split your students into small groups. Encourage them to use the natural elements around them like rocks, logs, and streams to make an obstacle course. Have different groups lead each other through their obstacle courses. Be sure to put all of the items back where they were found!
Learn More: Nature Play Kids
14. Guess My Number
One student thinks of a number, and the other students take turns guessing what it is. They can only ask “yes/no” questions to slowly reveal the correct answer. This is a fun way for students to practice their knowledge of place value while using critical thinking skills.
Learn More: Harrison Primary
15. Play “Would you Rather…?”
This is a silly game to play while hiking, where students have to choose between two options, for example, “Would you rather hike on a sunny day or a rainy day?”. It gives students the chance to get to know each other better while coming up with some outlandish ideas!
Learn More: Growing Play
16. Question Tennis
This game is played by asking questions back and forth, similar to a game of tennis. Students can ask questions about nature, the hike, or other topics. The challenge? All answers must be done in question form. Will you be able to do it? I’m not sure, have you ever tried?
Learn More: Rei.com
17. Trail Memory Game:
Divide kids into teams before setting out on their adventure. As they walk, have kids make a list of landmarks and plants. The team with the most accurate & complete list wins. Optional: set a time limit or create categories, like flowers, trees, and rocks.
Learn More: I’d Rather Walk
18. Nature Journaling
Encourage students to document their observations and thoughts while hiking, this can be done through drawings, notes, or photographs. Every quarter of a mile, you can offer the chance for all students to sit down, experience nature, and see what creative ideas they come up with!
Learn More: Childhood By Nature
19. Nature Photography
Give students disposable cameras and challenge them to take the best picture of a certain aspect of nature. They will love running around, snapping photos, and later getting them developed for their own class photo album.
Learn More: Outdoor Wise Living
20. Name that Tune
Play a game of Name that Tune while hiking, where one student hums or sings a tune, and the others have to guess the name of the song. Try to stump your students with a song from your childhood and test your own knowledge with today’s pop hits!
Learn More: Cool of the Wind
21. Tree Hugging Competitions
Yes, you can turn tree-hugging into a fun and competitive sport! Set a timer and see how many trees your students can hug in 60 seconds, spending at least 5 seconds at each tree to show it some love! See who can hug the most in the time allotment.
Learn More: Silvo Therapy
22. Nature Bingo!
Create a nature bingo game for students to play while hiking. Provide them with a list of items to look for like different types of birds, trees, or insects. Once they spot an item, they can mark it off on their card – who will get 5 in a row?
Learn More: Handmade Charlotte
23. Categories
Divide students into groups and assign them a category such as plants or animals. Challenge them to identify as many examples of their category as possible while on the hike. Perhaps you can challenge the class with specific types of lichen, leaves, or feathers that they find.
Learn More: Explore Mag
24. Use Magnifying Glasses
Make hikes fun and educational for kids by bringing magnifying lenses for them to explore nature. Each child can have their own and discover plants and animals, fostering curiosity and wonder. Invest in shatterproof and scratch-resistant lenses for multiple uses!
Learn More: Exploring Through Life
25. Bring Binoculars!
Bring binoculars on your hike to spot and observe wildlife from a distance. Imagine the excitement students might have when seeing a bald eagle or a deer in its natural habitat.
Learn More: Amazon
26. Help Clean Up the Earth
Do your part to protect the environment by picking up trash along the trail. Not only will you be doing a good deed, but you’ll also be keeping the trail beautiful for others to enjoy. Plus, this will help students learn the idea of “Leave No Trace” with first-hand experience.
Learn More: Hike it Baby
27. Bring along Walkie Talkies
Walkie-talkies are great for keeping in touch with friends or teachers while on the trail. They add an extra layer of excitement when you can easily talk in code to people hiking in front or behind you. Help kids to stay connected, safe, and have fun.
Learn More: Amazon
28. Set up Rewards for Mileage
Consider setting a goal for mileage and rewarding everyone when you reach it to stay motivated. Whether it’s a tasty treat or a fun game, setting a goal and rewarding everyone will make the hike even more enjoyable and interactive! Plus, kids can take turns tracking the mileage.
Learn More: Take Them Outside
29. Share Snacks
Bring snacks to share with your hiking companions for a fun and delicious experience. Share games and laughs while enjoying some tasty snacks on the trail. Why not make the snacks themed for the different hikes you go on? Connect the ideas to what they are learning about!
Learn More: Run with my Child
Take a Night Hike!
30. The Disappearing Head Game
Students stand still 10-15 feet apart from their partners. Then, they will stare at each other’s heads in low light, and observe as the head appears to blend into the darkness. This is caused by the way our eyes perceive light through rods and cones. A great learning lesson!
Learn More: PBS SoCal
31. Flashlight Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt using flashlights. Hide small objects or pictures in the area and give kids flashlights to find them. This is a fun way for kids to explore and learn about the area, while also developing their problem-solving and observation skills.
Learn More: Cincinnati & Hamilton Public Library
32. Nighttime Nature Bingo
Create a bingo game that focuses on nocturnal animals and plants. Provide kids with a bingo card and a flashlight. As they find different elements, they can mark them off on their card. Let’s see what happens in the darkness!
Learn More: PBS SoCal
33. Star Gazing
Take a break during the hike and have kids lay on the ground to look at the stars. Teach them about the different constellations and point out any planets that may be visible. You can even share stories about how they relate to Greek and Roman Myths!
Learn More: Wonders Within Reach
34. Deer Ears
Find some magic in learning about the adaptations that animals have, specifically, Deer! Cup your hands around your ears and notice how you can pick up more nature sounds than you could before. Challenge kids to turn their hands to point behind them, mimicking what deer do!
Learn More: Feather and Frond
35. Owl Calling
Teach kids how to make owl calls and have them try to call out to any owls in the area. This is a fun way for kids to learn about the different animals in the area and improve their communication skills.
Learn More: The Mighty Eagle
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