Remember when you were little and a perfectly shaped leaf, a shiny acorn, or an unusually interesting rock could feel like finding actual treasure? When you could spend an entire afternoon outside collecting little things, filling your pockets with discoveries, and coming home convinced that every single one was worth keeping?
Somewhere along the way, we stopped looking quite so closely.
And I think fall is the perfect excuse to start again!
This year, I wanted to create a little activity that would encourage us to slow down, get outside, and actually notice the season happening around us.
Not just the pumpkins on the porch or the changing decorations in the stores, but the little things. The crunch of leaves under our shoes. The sound of squirrels rustling through the trees. The first really chilly breeze. The way the afternoon sunlight looks a little more golden this time of year.
So I put together a fall nature scavenger hunt printable featuring 40 little signs of the season to spot, discover, and appreciate along the way.
And because you know I can’t resist making an ordinary afternoon feel like a whole little event, I added DIY treasure bag decorations and a nature journal, too.
40 Little Signs That Fall Is Here
This isn’t your typical scavenger hunt.
Instead of racing around trying to find everything on a list, The Fall Nature Walk is an invitation to explore autumn a little more intentionally.
I put together a printable checklist of 40 little signs of the season, with things to spot, sounds to listen for, changes to observe, and a few treasures to collect along the way.
Some are easy to find. Others might require a little patience, a closer look, or a return trip on another day.
And that’s part of the fun!
You don’t have to find all 40 things in one afternoon. In fact, I kind of love the idea of keeping your checklist handy throughout the season and seeing how many little signs of fall you can discover before winter arrives.
Take it on a neighborhood walk, bring it to the park, explore a wooded trail, or simply wander around your own backyard.
There’s no wrong way to do it.
Download Your Free Printable Fall Nature Walk Kit
Ready for a little autumn adventure?
I’ve put together a free printable kit with everything you need to make your fall nature walk a little more magical!
Inside, you’ll find:
- Fall Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt: A checklist of 40 little signs of fall to spot, hear, observe, and discover.
- My Fall Finds Nature Journal: A little field report to record your favorite discoveries and the things you noticed along the way.
- DIY Treasure Bag Decorations: Vintage-inspired botanical illustrations and labels to cut, color, and use to decorate your very own nature collection bag.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FALL NATURE WALK KIT
Print the pages you want to use, grab a pencil, and head outside!
A little tip: Laminate your scavenger hunt checklist and use a dry-erase marker to check off your discoveries. When you’re ready for another adventure, simply wipe it clean and start again! You can use it throughout the season or tuck it away to bring out next fall.
You’ll also notice little leaf icons beside certain items on the checklist. These indicate things that are already fallen, safe to handle, and appropriate to collect, where collecting is permitted.
Everything else? Just admire it, check it off, and leave it for the next curious explorer.
Make Your Own Nature Walk Treasure Bag
Now, could we just put our discoveries in our pockets?
Of course.
But where’s the fun in that?
I thought it would be even more special to make little treasure bags for collecting our autumn finds.
And naturally, I made a printable for those, too.
The idea is simple: turn an ordinary paper bag into a charming little naturalist’s collection bag using vintage-inspired botanical illustrations and labels.
Think old-fashioned field guides, childhood nature clubs, and afternoons spent exploring the woods.
I’ve included labels like Autumn Field Club, Fall Nature Walk, and Field Notes, along with botanical illustrations you can cut out and arrange however you like.
What You’ll Need
- Small paper bags
- Our free printable treasure bag decorations
- Scissors
- Glue stick or double-sided tape
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers (optional)
How to Make Your Treasure Bag
Step 1: Print your decorations.
Print the treasure bag decorations included in your Fall Nature Walk Kit.
Step 2: Cut out your favorites.
Choose whichever illustrations and labels you’d like to use. You can make each bag completely different!
Step 3: Decorate your bag.
Arrange the pieces on the front and back of your paper bag and glue them into place. Add your name, a few doodles, or some extra decorations if you’re feeling creative.
Step 4: Go find some treasures!
Take your finished bag outside and fill it with a few little discoveries from your walk.
A fallen leaf in the prettiest shade of orange? Treasure.
An interesting acorn? Treasure.
A tiny pinecone that looks like it belongs in a miniature forest? Obviously treasure.
Keep a Little Field Journal
Because sometimes the best discoveries deserve to be remembered!
I also created a little My Fall Finds nature journal to go along with the scavenger hunt. Think of it as your very own autumn field report, with spaces to record the date, weather, who came along, and all the little things you noticed during your adventure.
There’s even a spot to draw, describe, or attach your favorite find, plus prompts to remember what you heard, smelled, and discovered along the way.
I especially love the idea of saving these little field reports. Imagine flipping through them years from now and seeing the things your kids found fascinating, the discoveries they were most excited about, or even how their little drawings changed over time.
A sweet little snapshot of autumn, exactly as you experienced it.
A Few Little Nature Walk Reminders
Part of the magic of exploring nature is learning to appreciate it without disturbing it.
A few things to keep in mind before you head out:
- Only collect items that have already fallen naturally and are safe to touch.
- Leave living plants, flowers, mushrooms, and wildlife exactly where you find them.
- Check local park rules before collecting anything, since some parks and protected areas prohibit removing natural objects.
- Avoid unknown berries, mushrooms, animal droppings, and anything sharp or potentially irritating.
- Take only a few small treasures, leaving plenty behind for the creatures that call the outdoors home.
And remember, not everything needs to come home with you. Sometimes the best treasures are the ones you simply stop long enough to notice.
Make It a Little Fall Tradition
One of my favorite things about this activity is that it doesn’t have to be a one-time adventure.
In fact, I love the idea of making it something to look forward to every fall.
Visit the same walking trail each October. Notice which trees have started changing colors, which little treasures you discover, and all the things that might be different from the year before.
Bring your kids, your significant other, your best friend, or just yourself.
Pack a thermos of apple cider or coffee. Wear your favorite cozy sweater. Take the scenic route home.
And don’t worry too much about checking off every single box.
Because the whole point isn’t really to find 40 things.
It’s to remember how much there is to discover when we slow down enough to look.
Here’s to crunchy leaves, full treasure bags, and noticing a little more of the magic happening right outside our doors. 🍁
Happy wandering!
Looking for even more ways to make the most of the season? Take a peek at my October Bucket List for more cozy, nostalgic, and fun little ways to celebrate fall!
Ready for Your Own Fall Nature Walk?
DOWNLOAD THE FREE FALL NATURE WALK KIT
If you give this activity a try, I’d love to see what you discover! Tag Let’s Mingle on Instagram or TikTok so I can follow along on your autumn adventures.
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