Spring is a wonderful time of year for new growth, and in May especially we see our woodlands, fields and hedgerows fully blossoming forth with fresh life and vibrant colour. Familiar walks that we’ve enjoyed all winter can suddenly look quite different, as leaves unfurl and grasses sprout.

Why not make the most of this fresh new look by organising a spring treasure hunt for family and friends? Everyone gets a list of things to look out for and it can either be played as a general game with everyone joining in to help, or as a competition, with the first person to find everything the winner.

Of course, we want to encourage sensitivity and care of the environment on any outdoor walk or game, so instead of collecting the actual times, take photos of them in situ instead, and ask everyone to keep to marked footpaths and trails to avoid trampling delicate wildlife. And be careful not to disturb birds, insects and other animals if you happen to come across them.

Here’s 10 ideas for what could be on your spring treasure hunt list:

A green leaf or shoot
A flower bud or blossom
Something fuzzy or furry
Something spotted
Something striped
Something curly
Something spiky
Something soft
Something smooth
Something that makes a noise

Activities like these can not only help to make being outdoors even more fun, but encourage appreciation and understanding of the natural world around us. Learning the identity and characteristics of the different items you end up with photos of can really add to that important knowledge as well.

For ideas on some local Perthshire walks that can be good locations for a spring treasure hunt, take a look at this article: Four of the Best Walks To Do in Perthshire. But this activity can equally well be enjoyed in you local park, hedgerow or countryside lane too! We hope you enjoy getting out and about and spotting the ever-increasing signs of spring this month.