For the littles

For Everyone

 For older kids and teens

Scavenger Hunt

Can you spot everything on our spring scavenger hunt list? Print or download this list for your next walk in the woods, or have fun making your own list as a family before you go.

A is for Acorn

Can you find letter shapes in the natural world around you, or perhaps a natural object for every letter of the alphabet? Find our ABC checklist here. 

Pond Adventure

Pack the nets, buckets and bug boxes and visit Baxter’s Pond. See what bugs and animals call the pond home. Don’t forget your bug ID cards (print double-sided for best results)

More to do

Looking for more outdoor fun? Harness your child’s endless energy and maximize your family’s outdoor experience with advice and activities from our outdoor interpreters, Ranger Rebecca and Nature Nut Andrea. Videos, reading lists and more can be found at RVCA's Fresh Air Fun Page!

Photo challenge

Forget the selfies! Put your phone to the test: What beautiful nature photo can you freeze in time? The flight of a feathered friend, the unique bend of a tree branch, the buds about to burst? Filters allowed! Be sure to post to your socials and tag us with #RVCAFreshAirFun.

Naturally Artistic Challenge

Create your own outdoor masterpiece using nature’s gifts. Using rocks, twigs, leaves and any other natural materials you find, build your design outside, take a snap and leave it behind. Post it on your socials and tag us with #RVCAFreshAirFun! Find instructions here!

Five Senses in the Forest

Harness the restorative power of nature to help you stay grounded and able to cope with the stress all around us. Try our Five Senses in the Forest mindfulness activity here. 

Join the world’s largest treasure hunt!

Just you and your phone, chasing a secret — if you have to be outside, this is how to do it! The global geocaching movement is all around us, including at Baxter Conservation Area. Use your phone to track down the secret treasures tucked into our trees. Download the Geocaching app for iPhone or Android to get started. Bring a friend!

Pond Study: Using bugs to test for pollution

Some bugs are more sensitive to poor water quality than others. In this hands-on science experiment, get up close and personal with the benthic invertebrates that live in your local pond or stream to determine whether or not its polluted. Instructions here!

Trail Journaling

Forest therapy is great for your mental health. Next time you're on a hike, at the cottage or even at a local park, tune into your wild side for a few minutes. Put away your phone, find a comfy spot to sit and just watch and listen. What do you see? From where you're sitting, what can you hear? Print your trail journal here!