The BioBlitz Scavenger Hunt is an outdoor and kid friendly exploration activity where children search for broad natural categories such as a jagged leaf or a yellow flower instead of identifying species. Adults use the iNaturalist app to help children instantly identify their finds and spark curiosity about nature, or children can use the Seek app on their own to identify, then save the pictures for an adult to upload to iNaturalist later. 

This program engages children ages four through eight and their caregivers as they explore a local park or outdoor area. Children receive physical checklists and search for simple observable natural items. The Seek app provides quick and kid-safe identification without accounts or data collection.

 Strengthen observation skills and scientific curiosity

 Learn to categorize natural objects by features rather than names

 Understand how field scientists identify living things

 Build confidence exploring outdoor environments

 Practice teamwork and communication

Children ages four through eight and their caregivers. Adaptable for mixed-age families or school groups.

Introduce the scavenger hunt, explain how grownups can use their iNaturalist app to identify what they see, and distribute checklists, pencils, and clipboards. 

Children explore the defined outdoor area searching for items on their checklists, using Seek for instant identification support.

Gather as a group to share favorite finds, compare observations, and discuss what children discovered during the activity.

Conclude the program, collect materials, answer final questions, and encourage families to keep exploring nature.