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As far as childhood pastimes go, embarking on a scavenger hunt is as tried-and-true as playing hopscotch or building a fort. (We know a thing or two about kids' activities—we recently wrote the
book on the subject!). Scavenger hunts can tap into so many things that kids already love—a sense of adventure, the thrill of the hunt, solving riddles. They're also a great option for birthdays and promoting harmonious group play, with teams working toward a shared goal.
Fortunately, the sky's the limit when it comes to planning one. Whether you're looking to engage with nature, while away the time on a road trip, or tackle cabin fever on a rainy day, these indoor and outdoor options are sure to help the what-can-I-do-now? crowd battle boredom. You'll also find plenty of ideas whether you want an activity you can create using what you have on hand or something you can buy or download.
No matter what scavenger hunt you choose, you'll be happy knowing you're helping kids engage with the world around them as opposed to staring at a screen. (You may even have a little fun yourself.) Happy hunting!
More Fun for Kids: Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips | Fun Summer Crafts | Hilarious Knock-Knock Jokes | Outdoor Games for Kids
1
Colors-of-Nature Scavenger Hunt
Paint one row of a cardboard egg carton in various colors, then challenge children to seek out finds in the yard that match each color, which they can nest in the corresponding cubbies. This pre-made kit also serves up a similar idea.
2
Countryside Scavenger Hunt
We're obviously biased, but this one, featuring the charming illustrations frequently seen in the magazine, is our favorite for a weekend in the countryside. Kids seek out everything from red barns and tire swings to honor stands and bed-and-breakfasts.
3
Shapes Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of standard shapes (circle, triangle, heart—you get the idea) and challenge kids to find those shapes around the house or out in nature. (You can even assign points to each shape, with the more challenging ones—trapezoid, octagon—earning more.)
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4
Book Scavenger Hunt
Help your kids raid (and rediscover) their bookshelves with a list of literary-themed look-fors: a book with more than 300 pages, a book with a brother and sister, a book with a dog protagonist, a book set in the city, and so on.
5
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Turn your next family stroll around the block into a more engaging activity for the little ones with this downloadable Bingo game featuring items you'll likely encounter along residential streets, including "basketball hoop" and "lawn mower."
6
Nancy Drew-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Geared toward slightly older kids (think 8-12), this hunt takes inspiration from our favorite literary sleuth. Cut out letters from a magazine to patch together cryptic clues, each leading to the next. Winners can enjoy Nancy's favorite blondies.
See the complete Nancy Drew Party
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7
Photo Scavenger Hunt
If you didn't take a photo, did it really happen? In this hunt, you divide into teams—each equipped with a Polaroid or Instax camera—and challenge participants to capture specific moments (a group cheerleader-style pyramid) or places (a statue, a barber shop) on film in a certain amount of time.
Fun twist: A photo hunt using existing photos stored on your phone. How quickly can participants find...a receipt? A dog? A selfie? A flower? An accidental photo of your foot you took while walking?
Great for a long road trip, this activity allows kids to scratch off every state plate they encounter.
9
Antiquing Scavenger Hunt
If you're a parent who frequently brings (drags?) kids along to the antiques store, this is the hunt for you. Keep them engaged (and buy more shopping time for yourself!) by challenging them to find an assortment of items including: an American flag, a vintage Barbie, a vinyl record, a bowling pin, a Shiny-Brite ornament, a serious-looking portrait, a hat, a pair or roller skates....
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11
Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt
This is a great way to keep kids engaged during your Saturday errands. Challenge them to find a variety of in-season ingredients and flowers along with things like: a bearded dad wearing a baby carrier, a child being pulled in a wagon, a shopper holding a Stanley cup, and so on.
12
Paper Bag Scavenger Hunt
Jot down a list of items on a paper lunch bag, then collect the loot of your labor inside the bag.
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13
Underwater Scavenger Hunt
Place coins in plastic Easter eggs (or something else to help weigh the eggs down) and drop them in the swimming pool, then challenge kids to find as many eggs as they can. You can even assign points to various colors. (Only for strong swimmers.)
Note: For a nighttime, out-of-the-pool twist, place battery-operated tea lights in the eggs for a glow-in-the-dark hunt.
14
Find-Your-Name Scavenger Hunt
Perfect for a rainy day indoors, this hunt involves writing down one's name, then finding items around the house that correspond with each letter. (To entertain kids a little longer, incorporate the middle and last names too.)
15
Bug Hunt
Send more adventurous kids out spotting insects. (It may help to clarify that these items should remain outside.)
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Even if you're not lucky enough to live in the country, this is a fun one to file away for a school field trip or day at the pumpkin patch.
17
Color-Themed Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Assign each child a color and see who can most artfully assemble a collection of items around the house in that colorway.
18
Fourth of July Scavenger Hunt
Here's to the ol' red, white, and clue! Create a trail of American history-themed riddles (you can even kick it off with an "official" letter from the White House), or challenge younger kids to find something red, white, blue, the #4, a hot dog, a bottle of ketchup, an ice pop, you get the idea.
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Particularly fun for a woodland-themed birthday party, this part-practical, part-magical list includes standard found-in-nature fare like twigs and leaves alongside (pre-planted by you!) glittery pinecones, mini-wands, and more.
Fun for families, this game challenges you to spin the spinner, draw a card, and then race against the clock to bring back a designated household item within two minutes. (Chances are mom's going to be very good at this.)
