The Safari Nature Contest
Every spring, our explorers head outside to capture the wild world around them. This page is updated each year — this year’s contest is below.
Backyard Photo Safari: Become a Wildlife Explorer
Go on a Photo Safari
Real explorers are great observers. This spring, grab a camera (or a parent’s phone) and go on your own safari — through a backyard, a park, or a windowsill garden. Photograph something in the natural world that catches your eye, then tell us what it is. It’s science, art, and fresh air rolled into one, and every young explorer can do it.
Explore with Wonder Explorer
Not sure where to start? Use our free Wonder Explorer outdoor missions to find nature worth photographing — then learn about what you spotted and add it to your photo caption. It’s the perfect companion for your safari!
Open Wonder Explorer →Photo Categories
- Creatures — bugs, birds, pets, pond life, anything that moves
- Plants & Trees — flowers, leaves, moss, mushrooms, seeds
- Sky & Water — clouds, sunsets, rain, rivers, puddles
Age Groups
Take a photo (a grown-up can help) and tell us what you found.
Frame a thoughtful photo and identify the species or subject.
Two age groups, and prizes are awarded in each one.
The Rules
- Photos must be taken by the student (a grown-up can help the youngest explorers).
- Any camera works — phone, tablet, or camera.
- Light cropping is fine, but keep it real — no heavy filters or AI edits.
- Add a one-line caption telling us what your photo shows (and where you took it).
- One entry per student per category (up to 3 total).
How Entries Are Judged
- Wonder — how interesting or surprising the subject is
- Composition — framing, light, and focus
- Curiosity — a thoughtful caption or identification
- Originality — a fresh eye on the natural world
Prizes in Each Age Group
Winners take home a full year of one of our learning apps, or a book written by one of our founders.
Important Dates
How to Enter
Sign Up
Fill out our quick sign-up form so we know your explorer is coming. Entry is free, and it’s open to every homeschool family — you don’t need to be a Homeschool Safari student.
Sign Up for the Contest →Snap Your Photo
Go exploring and photograph something in nature that amazes you. Pick your best shot and write a one-line caption naming what it is (use Wonder Explorer to help!).
Email Us Your Photo
Send your photo and caption to info@homeschoolsafari.com before 5 PM MST on April 24, with your child’s first name, age, and category. We’ll reply to confirm we’ve got it.
Email Your Entry →More contests this year 🦁
The Great Safari Art Contest runs each fall, the family Give-Back Challenge comes in November and December, and the family STEM Build lands in winter. All free, all open to every homeschool family.
homeschoolsafari.com · Contact
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