Turn Tantrums into Triumphs! 9 Easy Games to Keep Your Toddler Engaged on Nature Walks
Image from Shutterstock
Imagine this: The weather is perfect so you set out on a nature walk with your little one, eager to share the beauty of the outdoors. But then, a familiar chorus begins: “I’m bored!” or the dreaded, “I’m tired!” You glance at the trail ahead, a seemingly endless stretch that eventually leads to the welcome sight of your car. The thought of carrying a wriggling toddler fills you with dread.
But wait! There’s a secret weapon in your arsenal: redirection.
Just like a master magician, you have the power to whisk your child away from their grumbles and into a world of wonder. The key? A little bit of magic - called curiosity and wonder! By becoming part of the adventure, acting surprised at a hidden ladybug or enthralled by a jumping grasshopper, you can spark their curiosity and transform a tedious trek into an unforgettable exploration.
Unlock the magic through these 9 easy games you can play with your little one. Turn your nature walks into captivating adventures, keeping your little explorer engaged from start to finish.
And maybe, just maybe, your little one, like mine, will have so much fun they will ask you to take them back to the “nature park” again (instead of the city park)!
Does it Sink or Float?
Photo by Sierra Wilde
This is a great one to play if you are near water. Pick up some sticks, leaves, grass, bark, rocks, etc. Let your child toss them in the water, one at a time. Before you hand them the next object, ask them what they saw.
Break the Ice
Photo by Sierra Wilde
This is a great game to play if you are near frozen water. It’s best played on a warm day or right after a light freeze. Just make sure your child knows to remain on shore and not step on the ice. I typically make sure we play this along shallow waters, just in case.
Who was Here Before Me?
Photo by Jake Wilde
Look for animal tracks on or near the trail. Then ask your child “What animal left those?" Ask if they think it was a baby, mama, or papa animal. Ask what the animal was doing on or near the trail. Kids can come up with some really silly ideas!
Pro Tip: Lean into their answer. See if you can create a story together or teach them a short lesson about the animal.
Look for animal scat (aka poop) on or near the trail. Ask them “What animal pooped here?” I like to act silly when I ask this question. Like “I’m astonished a rabbit would just poop right there! How silly! That silly rabbit!”
Look for other signs. You could look for signs that a deer rubbed, or ate, the bark off a tree, for trees that a beaver chopped down, laid down grass where a herd of deer slept, a secret animal path into the woods or near water, and more. You may even see signs that a human rode through on a horse, bike, or skis, depending on the season and trail.
I Spy with My Little Eye…
Photo by Sierra Wilde
This game can be a great way to practice colors, shapes, sizes, numbers, descriptive or directional terms, and more.
I spy the color…
Yellow flower
Brown post
I spy something (shape)…
Round river rock
Rectangular sign along the path
Triangle marker for the path
I spy something (size)…
Larger than
Smaller than
Taller than
Shorter than
Wider than
More narrow than
I spy (number) of something…
Two dandelions
One dog
I spy something… (descriptive or directional)
Something that flies
Something that grows
Something that swims
Something green above you
Something yellow on your right
Something blue in front of you
Scavenger Hunt
Photo from Shutterstock
Like “I Spy” this game is another great way to practice colors, shapes, sizes, numbers, descriptive or directional terms, and more.
Pro Tip: I prefer to have my child point out when they find the item, over collecting it. This way there is no prep work and it causes less impact on the area (Leave No Trace). Be careful about what items they collect. Some items are protected, like the feathers of migratory birds (surprisingly, (at least to me) that list also includes Canadian Geese).
Preparing for Kindergarten? Have them look for things that begin with certain letters (e.g. Water for “W” or Bird for “B”).
Teaching your child a second language? Have them try to name the item in that language!
What is That?
Photo by Jake Wilde
Depending on complexity, this is a good game for toddlers on up. See if they can identify tracks, scat, types of plants and trees, bugs and insects, birds, and other animals. Help them identify nearby mountain peaks or rocks they find.
Get help identifying mountains, plants, bugs, and birds. While you can carry field guides, it may be easier to use your phone or even download a couple “outdoor” apps.
Hiking Maps - PeakVisor will help you identify the mountains along the horizon, as well as have a “birds eye” view of the topography
Picture This can be used to identify all kinds of indoor and outdoor plants, if they are edible or toxic, whether they are healthy, and even what disease is ailing them!
If you are out of data/service range, you can still snap a photo (or 20) and view the results, once you return back to civilization
Audubon can help you quickly identify a bird by its size, color, type, habitat, and more!
If you plan on being out of data/service range, downloaded the field guide ahead of time.
Fireflies
Photo by Sierra Wilde
Always bring along a small flashlight with laser. If you have a toddler, this can be a really fun one during dawn or dusk. Just know, you do have to be a tad sly, however, if you don’t want them to catch on. Merely pop on the laser, have it “fly” ahead of them as they run after it, and then blink out as they are about to catch it. It helps if you get excited when they try to catch it… and then amazed and confused about where it could have gone when it disappears.
We use the OLIGHT Arkfeld Pro Flashlight with Green Laser.* Grab one on sale over Father’s Day or during another holiday sale. Psssst… their Black Friday deals are usually a great time to shop!
Pro Tip: You can spot actual fireflies (aka lightning bugs) late May through early June. Check online to see if there is an area near you that is known to have them. Sometimes natural areas and National Parks will host events (such as those at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park).
Nursery Rhyme Songs
There are really, at least, two ways to play this. You can either have them name a song they would like to sing and then sing it together. Or you can host your very own version of Don’t Forget the Lyrics! If you are unfamiliar, the gist is that you sing a few lines from the song and then drop off, and see if they can fill in the next few lines of the song.
Group Storytelling Improvisation
Photo by Sierra Wilde
You may remember this from grade school, but if not, here is how to play… You begin a story with one line. Your child continues it with another. And then you add another line to the story. And so on, and so forth. The sillier it gets, the better the story!
For example, you could start the story with something as simple as “One day, as the wind gusted and blew, a lightning bolt shot down from the sky and hit a nearby cottonwood tree!”
By incorporating these fun and engaging games into your nature walks, you can transform potential tantrums into unforgettable adventures. Remember, the key is to keep it lighthearted, playful, and tailored to your toddler’s interests. With a little creativity and patience, you can turn your hikes into a magical experience for both you and your little one!
