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Going on a Scavenger Hunt in the Snow! X Marks the Spot

Click here to read Going on a Scavenger Hunt in the Snow! X Marks the Spot on Hands On As We Grow®


A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

Sometimes I find it really difficult to find things for toddlers and preschoolers to do outside in the snow.

This was especially true with my 3 year old!

Finding new ideas to keep preschoolers busy outside in the winter

Too old to simply be amazed by it like his little sister.

Too young to master snowballs, snow-forts, snowmen.

So I had this thought one day outside with my 3 year old, Charlie, when the snow was too fluffy to do much with.

I grabbed some of his water safe bright colored toys and created a treasure hunt in the snow!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

How to Make an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt in the Snow

This outdoor scavenger hunt is the perfect simple way to get preschoolers and even toddlers active in the snow without frustration of not being able to do it right.

It’s super easy to set up and doesn’t require going out for special supplies!

To Make Your Own Scavenger Treasure Hunt in the Snow You’ll Need:

  • Toys that can handle getting wet
  • Food coloring
  • Water bottle (squeeze kind is best)
  • Snowy Yard
  • Small shovel (optional)
  • Toy or container to hide a small treat in (optional)
Supplies needed for an outdoor scavenger hunt in the snow. X marks the spot.

Setting Up A Scavenger Treasure Hunt in the Snow

Prep to Do Inside

First thing I did to set this up was gather toys that I could burry in the snow.

I also grabbed a small minion ball toy that opens up and hid a small treat inside that was individually wrapped so it would get ruined in the snow.

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

You could also use a small plastic container for this and put a treat in a zipper bag inside.

Or you can skip this step completely.

Next I grabbed a small squeeze bottle of water flavoring I’m not a fan of.

For me this was just convenient because I didn’t intend to use it.

But when we did this activity again I used a water bottle with a squeeze top and food coloring mixed with water.

Prep to do Outside

Next I went outside with all my supplies and started to hide the toys one by one around the yard!

We are blessed to have a generous size backyard. But you can easily do this with a small yard.

Just choose the number of toys you have room to hide.

As I buried the toys I made sure to pile a large mound over them and then used the food coloring to mark the mound with a big X.

X marks the spot!

A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

The final mound with the treat hidden inside I added a small mark to with the food coloring so I could remember to make sure it was the final mound.

I did this again when my son was 4 and I also numbered the mounds so he had to dig them up in order.

And I did the numbers in random so he had to really search for the next one.

That’s it.

Outdoor Scavenger Treasure Hunt in the Snow

Once everything was set up I went in and got my son ready to go outside and play in the snow together!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

When I took him outside he was intrigued right away.

I handed him the shovel and said, “We are going on a treasure hunt today!”

A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

Charlie went right to work digging up his first X marked snow mound!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

I could see the excitement building as he started to uncover some color!

A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

This snow scavenger hunt was already a success!

The memories were being formed and the joy on his face was priceless!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

One by one he dip up and then started running to the next spot!

A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

X Marks the spot!

Download the Winter Fun Week of Crafts & Activities here for FREE!

Digging for treasure in the snow
A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

After finding the treasure in 2 snow piles my son ditched the shovel and moved onto digging with his hands.

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

He was getting so much gross motor play with this activity.

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

He was also building confidence with each and every snow pile.

A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

I love watching his self confidence increase with activities that are suited for his age!

Completely change from the lower sense of ability that came when he would try to make a snowball and couldn’t.

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!
Finding treasure outside in the snow
A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

I had done it!

Found something my 3 year old could do in the snow without any let downs!

Search. Dig. Discover.

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!
Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!
A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

We had been outside together playing in the snow for 20 minutes already without a single whine or complaint.

Awesome!

The Element of Surprise

It was so funny watching him throw his entire body into the snow to uncover his next treasure.

And with each new discovery he had so much excitement.

Even though I just hid his normal every day toys in the snow for the scavenger hunt it was always a surprise!

Digging for treasure in the snow

I think that was a key to this activity too.

He truly had no idea what was hidden under the mounds of snow.

A super simple outdoor winter scavenger treasure hunt in the snow for some gross motor adventures with toddlers and preschoolers!

Finally we reached the final mound!

I told him this one had a very special treasure inside!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

Charlie was so excited to dig this one up!

Perfect thing to end off our scavenger hunt in the snow!

Turn playing outside in the snow into an easy scavenger hunt and dig up treasure at home using simple supplies like food coloring and toys!

When he uncovered the minion ball I don’t think he realized something was inside.

Finding his last treasure with the candy canes inside!

I told him to open it.

He got very excited at the hint and went straight to work!

When he discovered his treasure he was ready to head inside for some hot chocolate and his candy cane treasure!!

Fun idea for playing outside in the snow with a treasure hunt

What are your favorite snow activities to do with little ones?

Share with us in the comments! I’m always looking for new ideas to get my kids playing outside in the winter!

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