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Brotherly Playdate at Lake James: A Nature Park Scavenger Hunt

December 14, 2014 by Clyde Sanchez (Hubby) Leave a Comment

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Sponsored Post: Financial compensation was not received for this post. A sample product was gifted from Gymboree. Opinions expressed here are our own.

Wanna’ host a fun playdate with your kids this winter? How about at your nearest State Park?

That’s what we did! We went to Lake James State Park for a nice scavenger hunt on their great nature trails.

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Here’s where the scavenger hunt takes place!

We were inspired for this memorable afternoon by Gymboree’s Playdate Guide on Pinterest, where you’ll find even more playdate ideas.

Oh yeah, and they gave us a gift card to get a few clothes from their winter line (which look great by the way).

A nature park is a great place to find really interesting and cool things, so a scavenger hunt felt like a natural playdate idea. For the day, I made a nature park scavenger hunt printable to keep us on schedule.

You can download it too if you’d like to give it a try!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt printables

I made sure to add a few snowflakes to keep our printable festive.

With our scavenger hunt sheets ready, we are ready to begin. On to the first item…

Warning: I may have overdone it on the pictures. There were just so many good ones, I had to include them in our post. You’ve been warned :)

Get Your Map

To ensure all goes smoothly, we’re gonna’ need a map!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Check that off the list!

Find the Lake

Let’s continue the hunt with an easy one. Can anyone find the lake?

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Here it is!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake. Got it!

Snack Time!

Let’s check off a few items from our scavenger hunt checklist: Picnic table – Check! and Snack Time – Check!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Just need a snack to keep me going.”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Do you like it? “I give it a, ‘Thumbs Up’ dad!”

Where’s the Trail?

Oh, here’s one!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“That was an easy one to find. Check it off the list!”

Side Note: If you’re enjoying this fun post, I think you’ll really love our Storytime with Eric Carle post too!

Grab Your Acorns

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

That’s 1, 2, 3, 4 acorns. Good job buddy!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Find Some Pine Cones

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“3 pine cones. Check!”

Get Your Leaves

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“That leaf looks pretty brown to me.”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Oh, here’s a BIG one!”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Brown leaves, got ’em!”

Time to Mitten Up and Explore!

The boys wanted to do a few things that weren’t on the list, so we took a nice break from our scavenger hunt. With some climbing, sight-seeing and brotherly love!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

The boys hands were getting cold, time to mitten up!

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Now that’s nice and toasty.”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

These polar bear mittens were too cute.

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Where’s Aiden?

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Here I am!”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Aiden, I think we should do some climbing. I’ve got this cool tree to show you.”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“It’s perfect for climbing…”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“See, no problem. Now you try!”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“OK, I can do this. One step at a time…”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Maybe not, but look at this view. It’s awesome!”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Good try bro. You did your best!”

Back to the Scavenger Hunt

OK, all done with exploration. Now back to the hunt!

Grab Some Twigs

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Whoa, check out my stick!”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Almost done. Now we just need a few rocks!”

Find Your Rocks

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Found a rock! Now look into my eyes and fall under my spell.”

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Scavenger Hunt Complete!

With all the rocks collected, we’re now all done with our scavenger hunt.

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Got the rocks and now our scavenger hunt is complete!

That was fun (and exhausting)! The boys did a great job following instructions, lets take a look at everything…

Check Out Our Haul

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Wow! Look at all the fun stuff we found on our scavenger hunt! Pine cones, acorns and twigs. OH MY!

What Do We Do With It?

Our original idea was to make a few different Christmas tree ornaments with the nature supplies we rounded up, but the boys had a different idea.

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

The boys wanted to get another look at the lake before we left.

I wonder what the kids want to do with all the stuff they found. Let’s see…

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

I don’t like that look in your eyes Aiden. As long as you don’t…

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Pour everything…out. Well, what do you have to say for yourself?

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Wanna’ snuggle?” OK, lil’ bear, you win! But hopefully Noah doesn’t get any ideas…

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

Well, I guess that’s that! Anything you wanna’ say or do before we go?

Lake James State Park - Nature park scavenger hunt

“Rick James.”

LOL, this was such a fun way to spend a day with our boys. They learned to use a map, got to explore and followed directions. What a great playdate!

If you’re looking for more creative playdate ideas, be sure to check out…

Gymboree’s Playdate Guide on Pinterest!

Filed Under: Blog, Hubby's Corner Tagged With: Family, Tips

About Clyde Sanchez (Hubby)

My husband is a great father and very supportive. He specializes in SEO, web design and photography (which is what he likes to write about). He also helps me craft!

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Courtney Sanchez

Hi, I'm Courtney!

Welcome. Here is where I share the fun how-to crafts I've done with my kids and for my home. I also really love DIY parties too! Read More…

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