Fun game for kids on hike: Antler Hunt

What animal left these antlers? Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Generally, exploring and discovery is enough for kids, but sometimes even they can grow bored with that and become restless. Remember that they naturally have shorter attention spans than adults.

Fortunately, there are lots of tried and true activities you can do on the trail that’ll keep kids from getting bored. Among them is an Antler Hunt.

An antler hunt is a great opportunity to teach children about nature. Deer and elk shed their antlers during spring (deer usually from January through March and elk from March through May) and then regrow them through the following winter. If lucky, you may find shed antlers on the trail. You’ll first want to read up on the deer inhabiting the area in which you’ll be hiking and learn about their antlers. Be aware that sometimes you are not allowed to remove antlers from the trail, though certainly you can get close to examine them.

Materials: Plastic bag for carrying antlers (if allowed to take them)

Ages: 3 and up

Learn about more than a hundred other hiking diversions for kids in Hikes with Tykes: Games and Activities.