Scavenger hunts are more than just a way to keep children busy. These hunts can also help build family memories and critical thinking skills. Scavenger hunts, depending on their nature, can be fun and a form of exercise. There are fun games and scavenger hunt clues for kids, quizzes and murder mystery games suitable for adults of all ages and specially-designed products for seasonal celebrations such as Halloween and Christmas, Easter, or summer. On the Grapevine’s website, visitors will find ready-made products for celebrations and other events. You’ll find everything you require from murder mysteries to pub quizzes and incredible themed treasure hunts that are great for kids.
Scavenger hunts can be done anywhere: in your home, at the campground, around your neighborhood, or almost anywhere else. Both adults and children will enjoy them because they are fun, creative, and inexpensive.
What is a Scavenger hunt?
A scavenger hunt begins with a location or series of locations where players seek hidden objects. The idea behind a scavenger hunting is to make a list of items that the participants will need to locate, photograph, or ask for.
Nature Scavenger Hunts
Nature scavenger hunts can be done in your yard, in a park or in a nature preserve. This activity involves looking for hidden objects or following clues. Nature hunts can be enjoyed by all ages, even young children. Your hunt can be arranged however you wish, by asking other searchers:
- For a nature craft, collect pinecones, leaves, and sticks.
- Photograph and spot nature items from a checklist
Photograph a variety bugs, leaves, plants or flowers to identify and photograph them
Outdoor scavenger hunts are a great way for the senses to be engaged. A search asking players to identify objects they can see, smell, or hear is a great idea.
An environmental hunt is a great way to educate children about the importance of responsible stewardship. Pick up any trash that you see on your walks to beautify the trail. Although it may seem like a tedious task, collecting trash can actually be fun when done in a playful way.
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts
An excellent way to meet your neighbors is to host a neighborhood scavenger hunt. There are several variations to the neighborhood hunt.
Another variation is for teams to go door-todoor. The players tell the neighbor that they are going on a scavenger hunting trip. The players then ask the neighbor for an item from their list. They should ask for common items such as a rubberband, a toothpick or a canceled stamp.
Photo Scavenger Hunts
Participants in a photo scavenger hunt must have either a smartphone or a camera. Participants might be given disposable cameras or inexpensive cameras. Instead of collecting objects you might ask players to take photos of what they find.
Instead of looking at the items people have found, you can look through the photos taken. Smartphones allow you to look at the objects displayed on your screen.
Disposable cameras require that you meet again after the photos have been developed in order to review the results. For kids who grew up with smartphones and digital cameras, printing photos can be a novel option. This is a great option for groups who meet often.
Ideas for photo scavenger hunts:
- Items with a specific color or shape
- Local landmarks
Certain activities are performed by players (jumping on trampolines, standing in front signs, making silly faces, etc.
Things that begin with a particular letter
Field Trip Scavenger Hunts
Field trip scavenger hunting can be a great way for kids to have fun while visiting a museum, zoo or amusement park. Scavenger hunts in public spaces give players a list to search for items while they’re at an event or on a field trip.
You may need to do some detective work before organizing these activities.
Ideas for field trip scavenger hunts:
- Some colors and shapes
- Items found in the museum’s exhibit
- Items that have a logo
- You can find specific rides at an amusement park or carnival.
- Different types of animals in the zoo
- Specialty food vendors (cotton candy, popcorn, etc.
Talk to children about safety and proper etiquette when conducting a scavenger hunt. For example, if your hunt takes place in a museum, make sure that children understand that it is safe to talk and move.
Children should be taught to stick with their designated groups at all times, even if they are in noisy outdoor settings. If younger children are involved, make sure an adult or teenager is there to supervise them. Also, plan what you will do in case anyone gets lost.
Stay-at-Home Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are also great for at-home fun. These are great ways to spice up boring weekends. This inexpensive, but still creative entertainment is also available at sleepovers or birthday parties.
Ideas for scavenger hunts at home:
- Favorite things: Favorite foods, favorite colors and favorite toy
- Items for the home
- Anything that begins with A, B or C.
