Fun Scavenger Hunts for Kids

It seems that scavenger hunts have been around forever. The game has endured the test of time for many reasons but mostly because they are so fun and adaptable, fitting any activity or age group.

A scavenger hunt is a searching game that is played by two individuals or separate teams. Each individual or team receives a list of specific items and the team must seek out the items, (which are not usually purchased) gather them or take photos of them. The objective is to find all or as many of the items as possible and return to home before the opposing individual or team. Sometimes the game is timed and other times there is no limit. Occasionally, there may not be objects to find, but tasks to be completed in order to win the game.

Often times there are rules to the game; areas you may not search, time limits, certain words to use, the ones first to touch an item, no sabotage, return items borrowed, tell an adult what you are doing, etc. Scavenger hunts are fun for adults as well as children and are often played at baby showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, family get-togethers, birthdays, and on holidays. Scavenger hunts are often played in educational settings such as schools and churches and may be for fun or educational purposes. 

It is often no surprise to see children scampering to and fro at picnic sites or parks carrying paper bags or baskets to collect items. Neighborhood children enjoy the game as well, sometimes going house to house (familiar homes only) asking for silly things like wire hangers or empty paper towel rolls that are on their list. Scavenger hunts can be an indoor or outdoor event, they can even be done on the Internet.

Scavenger hunts are often used for educational purposes. For example, nature hunts may include certain types of leaves or acorns, or possibly even certain insects or types of rocks. Anything could be the focus for such hunts. Sometimes items may be hidden, such as numbers printed on cards that are the answers to math problems or spelled and misspelled words. They may be hidden or in plain sight depending on the purpose of the game.

Look to the following lists for some great scavenger hunt games and ideas!

Indoor Scavenger Hunts

Illinois Edu. Scavenger hunt ideas as well as other games.

FEMA Kids A family scavenger hunt game for emergency survival items, with list link.

Quazen Indoor scavenger hunts for kids, instructions and rules.

Tech Trekers English, History, Math hunt templates.

Kidipede History scavenger hunts.

Creative Bible Study A Bible scripture hunt.

Washington Edu. Neuroscience for Kids - Scavenger Hunt

Watson Adventures Public hunts. Choose from Boston, Chicago, L.A., NY, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C.

Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

Love the Outdoors Hunts focused on camping. Includes hunt ideas and scavenger lists.

Lucy Travels Printable scavenger hunt lists.

HP Scavenger hunt directions for a backyard photo hunt.

E How How to do a photo scavenger hunt.

Party 411 Halloween scavenger hunt.

AFK Nature scavenger hunt list with measuring skills.

Parenting Our Kids Scavenger hunt lists for nature hunts.

Gardening List for a nature scavenger hunt.

Online Scavenger Hunts

Lesson Plan Central Various online educational scavenger hunts.

SHF Online scavenger hunt contests and lists of other hunts.

PBS Kids Clifford the Big Red Dog hunt.

Yellowstone An Yellowstone National Park scavenger hunt.

HUD A scavenger hunt that focuses on local government and community.

Kids Health How the Body Works hunt.

Egypt Hunt A combination scavenger and crossword hunt.

State of NJ  New Jersey facts scavenger hunt.

Additional Information

Whether your scavenger hunts happen indoors or out, online or in the classroom, you are sure to have a good time. The game ideas are endless. Have fun!

Masters of the Hunt Lists of fun scavenger hunts for preschoolers through adults. Includes family, nature and holiday hunts.

Jano Health Links to many various scavenger hunts.

Web Knowledge Hunts for Elementary Education. Includes focused links to other hunt pages and megasites.