Saguaro National Park scavenger hunt for kids

What makes Saguaro National Park worth investigating

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of the modern city of Tucson. Here you have a chance to see these enormous cacti, silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.

The Tohono O'odham people have harvested saguaro fruit for centuries, using long poles made from saguaro ribs to knock the red fruit from the tops of the cacti.

Largest cacti in the United States, growing up to 50 feet tall. Two separate districts flanking the city of Tucson. Saguaros can weigh over 6 tons when fully hydrated. Home to the Gila woodpecker which carves nest holes in saguaro trunks. The best seasons to visit are fall, winter, and spring. Winter Season With daytime temperature from the low 50's to the high 70's Summer Season As we get deeper into the summer season, temperatures will range from mid-90's to low 110's. This is a great time to experience the desert as the day breaks or in the late of the day as the sun disappears behind the surrounding mountain ranges.

8 things to look for

Use this as an observation menu, not a race. Choose fewer items for younger children, pause for questions and sketches, and leave every natural and historic object where it belongs.

• Saguaro Cactus Nature
  A towering cactus with upward-reaching arms that can live over 150 years
• Gila Woodpecker Wildlife
  A black-and-white bird that pecks nest holes into saguaro cacti Observe only from the required distance; a sound, track, or other safe sign may count.
• Cactus Wren Wildlife
  Arizona's state bird, which builds nests in cholla and saguaro cacti Observe only from the required distance; a sound, track, or other safe sign may count.
• Prickly Pear Cactus Nature
  A flat-padded cactus that produces purple fruit eaten by desert animals
• Petroglyphs History
  Ancient rock carvings left by the Hohokam people on boulders along the trails
• Javelina Wildlife
  A pig-like desert mammal that travels in herds and eats prickly pear pads Observe only from the required distance; a sound, track, or other safe sign may count.
• Crested Saguaro Nature
  A rare saguaro with a fan-shaped growth on top instead of the normal rounded tip
• Roadrunner Wildlife
  A fast-running ground bird that hunts lizards and snakes in the desert Observe only from the required distance; a sound, track, or other safe sign may count.

Checklist items describe things a visitor might observe. A sighting is never guaranteed. Do not approach wildlife, cross barriers, leave approved areas, or handle protected objects to complete an item.

Adapt the hunt by age

Turn “I want to go there” into a family plan

1. The child finds Saguaro National Park in the HomeSchool.You park catalog and taps the heart.
2. The parent receives an in-app alert that the child wants to visit.
3. Saguaro National Park appears in the child’s Travel Wish List inside the parent area.
4. The family chooses timing together, checks current conditions, and prints or opens this hunt.
5. After exploring, the child can save visit memories and progress in the park passport.

Respect the place

An adult should supervise the entire visit. Observe wildlife from the required distance, stay on allowed routes, follow posted and ranger instructions, pack out waste, and do not collect plants, rocks, cultural objects, or animals. HomeSchool.You is an independent learning platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service or any state or local park agency.

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