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Description

Explore a wood like a detective and see if you can recognise trees by their leaves in this outdoor hunt.

Source: https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/leaf-spotters/

Resources

Pens or pencils
"pdf_leaf_spotter_sheet" PDF

Take it further
Now everyone’s familiar with the trees and woodland, you could go back and visit to spot signs of animal and insect life and listen for birdsong. You could find out more about the species as part of the Animal Friend Activity Badge.


Safety: Outdoor activities
You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

Safety: Animals and insects
Be aware of the risks before interacting with animals. Be aware of anyone with allergies, and make alternative arrangements for them.

Instructions

Before you begin
- Involve the group in deciding where to go; they may be eager to visit a specific type of place.
- Don’t forget to do a risk assessment, and invite parents and carers (and Young Leaders) to come with you.
- Print enough copies of the Leaf hunt sheet (attached PDF), so that each group has one between them. Alternatively, find or make your own sheets, or use an app such as the Woodland Trust Tree ID app (https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/identify-trees-with-our-tree-id-app/).
- Find a wood that has a variety of trees – try to make sure that there are at least some trees that are on the leaf spotter sheet. Make sure to get the group involved in choosing the area.


Get ready to search
1. Everyone should get into small groups; an adult should join each group.
2. The person leading the activity should give each group a copy of the 'Leaf hunt' sheet.
3. Each group should look at the sheet, and talk about the shapes of the leaves and the names of the trees they belong to. Groups should look at how the leaves are different shapes (for example, how some are smooth and some are spiky), and how some are single leaves (like oak) while some are multiple (like rowan). People could also look at the veins and markings visible on the leaves. Taking time to look at the sheets before they begin will make it easier when people spot the leaves.
4. The person leading the activity should remind everyone not to pick any leaves as the trees need them.


Explore the wood
1. Each group should enjoy exploring the wood and trying to spot all of the leaves on the ‘Leaf hunt’ sheet.
2. When a group finds a leaf, they should also look at the tree it’s growing on. They could look at whether the tree is on its own or in a group, how tall it is, what the bark is like, or whether the tree is in the sun or the shade.
3. Everyone should think about how they’d recognise this tree again, without the ‘Leaf hunt’ sheet.
4. Once a group has filled in as much of their sheet as they can, they should stand by their adult, and give them their sheet. Their adult should call out the name of a tree, and everyone in the group should run to stand by it. The adult should make sure they can see the tree they call, and everyone should remember not to run out of sight.
5. Groups should keep playing, as their adult calls out different trees. If the group is struggling, they could give clues, for example, ‘an oak tree, the tree that also makes acorns’ or ‘a holly bush, that has prickly leaves that remind us of Christmas’.
If there’s time, everyone should enjoy playing in the woods. They could use the trees as bases for a game. No one should go out of sight or hide.


Reflection
- This activity gives everyone the chance to try new things. Had anyone been to this woodland area before? Even if some people had visited before, this was probably a new way for them to explore. Which trees did people find? What else did people notice about the trees, as well as their leaves? Can anyone describe a tree, including its height, shape, and bark? Now everyone’s a tree detective, they’ll be able to use their new skill next time they visit somewhere with trees.
- This activity was also a chance for everyone to value the outdoors. Woods can be exciting places to explore and play games, but they’re also a home for animals and insects (and they produce the oxygen we need to breathe). Some trees (deciduous trees) shed their leaves in autumn, the fallen leaves decompose and produce leaf litter that feeds new spring growth and is a home for animals and insects. How did the woods make everyone feel? Why is it important to look after woodland?


Change the level of challenge
Start with three or four leaves, and add in more as groups get to know the leaves and become more confident.

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Badge Links

• Explore - Explain
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• Explore - Predict
• Explore - What and where