Enjoy Fall Activities at the Park searching for Nature Treasures

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

 

We are so excited that fall is finally here. The temperatures are cooler, and in fact, the weather is finally just right here in Texas. The foliage is starting to turn and going on a treasure hunt in nature is great fun!

This fall we signed my son up for Tinkergarten so we could experience nature together as much as possible. We have been loving enjoying all fall has to offer us and exploring nature in new ways. Today I wanted to share a fun activity we did: a treasure hunt!

We try to be an on-the-go family on the weekends, trying out new activities and experiences. And of course, wrapping up with a tasty and fun snack.

 

We read the book How to Find Gold and then went on a little treasure hunt of our own. We followed a cute little treasure map and searched for arrows and clues along the way. Using arrows made from sticks found at the park, we “guides” helped our “explorers” search for the next direction on our treasure hunt. Each flag along the way had a note with an activity (such as walk backward, or do hopscotch), which was a great way to keep our little explorers engaged in the activity.

A treasure hunt activity is wonderful for toddlers and preschoolers because it helps them build their focus and promotes cognitive flexibility. Staying on the task of searching for the next clue works on their self-control. Practicing these skills with the bonus of fresh air and an outdoors activity makes this a perfect fall activity.

When we made our way across the little park bridge, we found the treasure chest, full of golden and yellow flowers, such as sunflowers. The next task on our treasure agenda was to use the nature treasures in a fun, new way. We made little suncatchers with the petals and leaves, practicing our motor skills (and building up an appetite for snack time).

I love that we can do these types of activities with simple supplies. All we needed were clear, plastic container lids, and clear contact paper. We punched a hole in the lid to tie some yarn so the suncatcher can be hung up on a branch or hook. Then we gathered petals and leaves on the lid, finally covering them with a circular cut out from the contact paper to keep them in their place.

Finally, after all the treasure hunt fun was done, we went to our blankets for the next treasure – our snacks! I love that we can enjoy fall with the new fun flavor of Maple Cheerios from Walmart on these adventures. The prep is easy, too: just pour the Maple Cheerios in a snack container and toss it in our backpack, along with some water. The Maple Cheerios are made with real maple syrup and are gluten-free.

Maple Cheerios are a mix of a nostalgic snack my child loved as an older infant, with the flavors of fall, and are perfect for these Autumn Adventures. I remember making Cheerios necklaces for my little one when we went grocery shopping, to keep him occupied and happy while we pushed him around in the cart. Now we can use the fun seasonal flavor of Maple Cheerios as a great snack after a fun preschooler activity.

 

Our outings with the group need to be nut-free. However, when we enjoy the park on our own, we can break out the peanut butter snacks. Did you know General Mills also has Peanut Butter Chocolate Blasted Shreds? Peanut Butter Chocolate. That’s right. Another fabulous on-the-go snack (or even dessert) after a few hours chasing a preschooler through the beautiful outdoors.

 

 

What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy the lovely fall season? Don’t forget to grab the family size Maple Cheerios at your local Walmart display on your way out for a fun adventure.