There’s nothing quite like the magic of exploring the woods with wide-eyed little adventurers—and our Animal Tracks Adventure at Swift Creek Nature Preserve was the perfect blend of nature play, curiosity, and connection.

Hosted in partnership with the amazing team at Triangle Land Conservancy, this Trail Mommas outing was all about tracking the unseen world of wildlife. From footprints in the mud to signs left behind in the forest, we learned how to look closely and uncover stories written all over the forest.

🦋 Forest Scavenger Hunt Bingo, Animal Track Storytelling & Nature Matching
Our day kicked off with Forest Scavenger Hunt Bingo, where kids excitedly looked for chewed on nuts and pinecones to fallen feathers and butterfly wings. Each square they checked off led to new discoveries—and a lot of excited little shouts when we completed a Bingo column and earned a wildlife adventure sticker.

We also got creative with track stories—a fun and imaginative way to look at animal prints and guess what might have happened: Did a deer run by? Did a raccoon stop for a snack? Did a fox sneak through in the night? Their imaginations ran wild, and so did their smiles when they made up their own stories with the animal track casts.

🎨 Colors of the Forest
One of the most beautiful parts of the day was our color match activity, where we explored all the natural shades around us—from bright green moss to rust-red leaves and sun-dappled leaves. It’s amazing how vibrant the forest becomes when you stop and really look.

🪵 What We Spotted
Throughout the hike, we spotted signs of life everywhere. Animal tracks, fluttering dragonflies, busy butterflies, and a number of mushrooms dotted the trail. We even saw coyote scat with crayfish in it, an American Toad and even some special animal habitat.

🌿 Why These Adventures Matter
Events like these are more than just play—they’re powerful moments of connection. Our goal at Trail Mommas is to raise nature-loving, adventure-ready families who respect and care for the wild spaces around them. With the help of partners like Triangle Land Conservancy, we’re making that vision a reality—one muddy footprint at a time.