Central Missouri is home to a variety of parks and trails that come alive with autumn colors. Whether you're strolling through the serene paths of the Rock Bridge State Park or enjoying the panoramic views from our beautiful Columbia Parks, there’s no shortage of beauty to behold. So, grab your light jackets, pack some snacks, and let’s embark on a fun-filled adventure!
 Click image to access printable scavenger hunt! |
Scavenger Hunt for Older Kids: Leaf Identification Challenge
For our older adventurers, we’ve created a scavenger hunt that challenges them to identify different types of leaves found in our local region. Here’s how it works:
- Gather Your Supplies: Print our Scavenger Hunt Page, grab a gallon-sized ziplock bag, *Optional: Bring along a notebook and a pencil to draw and write out your observations.
- The Hunt: As you explore, look for the following trees and their leaves, collect one of each type in your ziplock bag:
- Oak: Identify the lobed leaves of the Red Oak and White Oak.
- Maple: Spot the distinctive palmate shape of the Sugar Maple.
- Dogwood: Look for the unique, oval leaves that often turn a deep red in fall.
- Yellow Poplar: Spot the tulip-shaped leaves that turn a bright yellow.
- Eastern Redbud: Identify the heart-shaped leaves that transition to yellow in fall.
- River Birch: Search for the serrated edges of its triangular leaves.
- Black Gum: Find the glossy leaves that turn a brilliant red.
- Black Walnut: Look for compound leaves with an odd number of leaflets.
- Black Cherry: Identify the slender leaves that turn a rich yellow.
- Record Your Findings: Draw the leaves you find and jot down any interesting facts you discover about each tree.
 Click Image to access printable scavenger hunt! |
Scavenger Hunt for Younger Friends: Colorful Leaf Quest
For our littlest explorers, we’ve designed a simpler scavenger hunt focused on identifying leaves by color. This is a great way to engage their senses and encourage them to appreciate the beauty around them. Here’s how to join in:
- Colorful Quest: As you walk, encourage them to find leaves in the following colors:
- Red: Spot vibrant red leaves on maples.
- Orange: Look for the warm hues on sweetgums.
- Yellow: Discover sunny yellow leaves from birch trees.
- Brown: Collect fallen leaves that have turned a rich brown.
- Green: Some trees are even dropping green leaves.
- Create a Leaf Collage: Once you've collected a variety of leaves, use them to create a colorful collage at home. This activity not only reinforces their color recognition but also gives them a tangible memory of their autumn adventure.
Celebrate this delightful season with your loved ones, and don’t forget to share your findings and memories. Happy autumn, and happy hunting!
This article was generated with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
