Winter Wildlife Challenge: Track the Tracks!

Winter is a magical time for exploring the outdoors and there’s no better way to get kids noticing nature than by following the clues animals leave behind. Welcome to our Winter Wildlife Challenge: Track the Tracks!

Whether you’re a family looking for weekend fun, a homeschooler diving into science lessons, or a teacher planning an outdoor activity for students, this challenge is perfect for kids ages 6–12.

Step 1: Observe Carefully

Bundle up and head outside; whether it’s your backyard, a nearby park, or a local trail. Look for animal footprints in snow, mud, or soil. Take your time and notice:

• Size and shape of the track
• Number of toes or claws
• Patterns in how the animal walked
  

Encourage students to stop, look, listen, and even smell, this is real scientific observation in action!

Step 2: Identify the Animal

Look up some tracking guides for kids or even get out "Bold Explorer Adventure Kit" that comes with suggestions and a small guide on tracking. Can you spot deer, foxes, rabbits, or birds? Ask your kids to make predictions: which animal do they think left the tracks and why?

This is a fun way to teach critical thinking and hypothesis-making, all while connecting with nature.

Step 3: Record Your Evidence

Give each student a wildlife journal or notebook. Encourage them to:

• Sketch the tracks they find
  
• Note the location and weather conditions
  
• Write down any other signs (feathers, chewed branches, scat)
  

Over time, this builds both scientific observation skills and mindfulness, as kids learn to notice patterns and changes in their environment.

Step 4: Make It a Challenge

Turn it into a friendly competition or class activity:

• Who can find the most different animal tracks in one outing?
  
• Can the kids identify an animal based on multiple clues (footprints + droppings + tracks)?
  

Why It Matters

Tracking wildlife teaches kids patience, awareness, and respect for nature. It also strengthens observation and critical thinking skills, while being a fun hands-on science activity that works for families, homeschoolers, and classrooms alike.

Pro Tip: Pair this activity with the Bold Explorer Adventure Kit - it comes with magnifying tools, a field guide, and journal pages that make tracking and recording wildlife extra fun and educational!