Saturday, July 14, 2012

Katrena's Scavenger Hunt #4 With Alphabet Code Clues

Katrena's Indoor Scavenger Hunt #4 With Alphabet Code Clues
Scavenger hunts can be loads of fun for the kids, but sometimes they seem to be over so quickly! This indoor scavenger hunt is a great way to sneak in a little practice with code reading and spelling as the kids must stop and find matching letters for each picture in order to determine where to search next.

You can make this one tougher by hiding the clues in unexpected places at the code's hint. If you have older and younger kids working together, you might wish to hide them so that the clues are easily visible and encourage the older kids to solve the code while the younger kids hunt for the clues.

How to play Katrena's alphabet code treasure hunt
  1. Print the alphabet code (click on the image to enlarge and then select "file" and "print") – the kids will use this to crack the code on the clues.
  2. Print the prizes in code and choose which one(s) you wish to use (1st is "Way to Go", 2nd is "Awesome", 3rd is "Fabulous")
  3. Print clues #1-10 and cut on the horizontal lines, leaving the blank space on the right intact.
  4. Keep clue #1.
  5. Hide clue #2 in the microwave.
  6. Hide clue #3 with the toothbrushes.
  7. Hide clue #4 in the kitchen sink.
  8. Hide clue #5 on the couch.
  9. Hide clue #6 under a bedroom pillow.
  10. Hide clue #7 on the telephone.
  11. Hide clue #8 in a chair.
  12. Hide clue #9 in the refrigerator.
  13. Hide clue #10 on the bookshelf.
  14. Place prize in the stove.
  15. Give clue #1 to the person(s) doing the scavenger hunt.
Alphabet Code for Indoor Treasure Hunt
Free Scavenger Hunt Clues with alphabet matching code
Free scavenger hunt prizes in code
I hope you and the children will enjoy playing this scavenger hunt. My kids have always loved to solve clues and mysteries, and I thought it would be loads of fun to put the prizes into code too! Find more of my free scavenger hunts and other articles at the Wildflower Bouquets site map.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Amazing Sunflower Field Near Catawba College in North Carolina

Sunflowers in North Carolina © Katrena
July brings fireworks to Faith, rubber duckies to the Bull Hole near Cooleemee, and the tractor parade to Mocksville in North Carolina, but few people know of the pot of gold that comes to life between these towns in this heated month. Agriculture abounds in Rowan and surrounding counties in the Piedmont of NC. Folks in these parts are used to seeing corn marching across the rolling hills or wheat dancing in the breeze, but this field is different and as rare as a diamond without flaw. Tomatoes are just a slice away and watermelons are approaching their peak when the yellow petals begin to dance around the brown seeds in this most special field.

Bird Sanctuary in Rowan County © Katrena
Many of the most amazing sites in this Southern state lie just a few steps off the beaten path. This beautiful piece of yellow and brown artwork lies just a short distance between Catawba College Rowan Memorial Park. It's near where the old drive-in movie theater used to welcome folks before the mall was built, for those of you old enough to remember. Rabon's Barber Shop, Ellis Park, and the beautiful horses of Saving Grace Farm are just a few miles away. Travelers heading north on highway 601 past Catawba College toward Davie County would be wise to make a left at the caution light, headed toward Salisbury Mall, Jake Alexander Boulevard, and the $2.00 movie theater. Those traveling south from Greasy Corners should forgo the shortcut and drive all the way up to the blinking caution light before turning right.

Agriculture in the Piedmont © Katrena
A field lies to the left just a few yards after that turn toward Jake Alexander Boulevard. You might even see a lone farmer wearing a wide-brimmed hat yielding a hoe. Yes, this is a bird sanctuary created by hand. This huge sunflower field is an act of loving labor and becomes a magnet beckoning flying friends galore by day and lightening bugs by night. The sunflowers are just beginning to lift their heads to the sky's heated orb. It won't be long before the pot of gold lies in full splendor.

Old Fashioned Farming in the South © Katrena
Capturing the beautiful essence of this sunflower field on a photo card is like trying to freeze a child's first steps or a sunset's majestic markings. Just as a sand castle's beauty is soon wiped away into the ocean, so this sunflower field has its short season...but oh the rewards of the short drive off the tried and true trek in July. Salisbury's pot of gold is beginning to bloom!

It's hard to figure out an address for a sunflower field! Take the Jake Alexander Blvd exit - you're about 5-10 minutes from the field, depending on traffic and stoplights.
  • Turn onto Jake Alexander Blvd toward the car dealerships, and you'll eventually see a YMCA and cross over a train track a little ways past that.
  • Keep going straight - you'll see an Advance Auto Parts on the left and then a stoplight where there's a McDonald's, CVS pharmacy, and a gas station at the corners.
  • Keep going straight - I believe the name of the road is Hwy 601 at that point.
  • You'll see a small school on the right and large housing developments on both sides of a road a little ways past that.
  • After the housing developments you'll see some trees.
  • Just past the trees you'll see the field on the right. 
The road ends almost in sight of the field, so if you drive past it, simply turn around and look to your left right before the trees. My family has enjoyed looking at this golden work of art for several years. Kudos to the farmer who has worked his beauty throughout many hot summers.

Nearby (about 5 miles) fun things to do:
Visit my Wildflower Bouquets site map and Travel NC With Kids blog for more family-friendly ideas!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Katrena's American Flag Scavenger Hunt


Katrena's Patriotic American Flag Scavenger Hunt
Teaching the kids about the American flag through the use of a scavenger hunt can provide a unique opportunity to encourage patriotism in a game format. It can also provide a teaching opportunity if the kids do not know the answers! This is a fun game that you can play more than once because you can change the hiding places each time.

This scavenger hunt includes ten simple questions and answers related to the United States flag and can be played inside or outside. If you wish to print the images below, simply click on each to enlarge and select "file" near the top left of the screen and then "print."

How to play Katrena's American Flag Themed Scavenger Hunt

While the child(ren) is (are) in another room:
  • Hide ten small American flags (or print and hide the ten flag printables below), ensuring that the flag is displayed vertically without touching the ground or other objects and make a note of the location of each.
  • Place a glass or some other type of container in a centralized location in which to place the flags as they are found.
  • Print the questions.
Then....
  1. Have the kid(s) to come in and ask them the first question. Give hints if necessary.
  2. Once the correct answer is offered, provide a hint for the location of the first flag/printable and have the player search for the hidden flag/printable.
  3. Once the flag/printable has been found, place it in the holding container.
  4. Continue the above procedure for #2-10. Alternate if more than one child is playing.
American Flag Scavenger Hunt Printables
American Flag Scavenger Hunt Questions
American Flag Scavenger Hunt Answers
I hope you enjoy this patriotic scavenger hunt! I have several family members who are veterans, so flag etiquette is something that I try to teach my own daughters. Find more scavenger hunts, printables, and articles at my Wildflower Bouquets site map.