Q&A for How to Create a Scavenger Hunt

To create an engaging scavenger hunt for kids, consider different themes and activities. One favorite option involves an alphabet scavenger hunt. Start by writing the alphabet on popsicle sticks or have the kids do it themselves. Hide these sticks around your location, whether it's a farm or a large campus. On the back of each stick, provide hints about where the next stick might be hidden. This not only gives the children a fun tour but also helps reinforce their alphabet skills as they put the sticks in order upon returning. Additionally, explore online resources for outdoor-based scavenger hunts. For example, a themed scavenger hunt like "Oregon Trail" can incorporate obstacles for children to overcome, similar to the challenges in the game. Utilize team-building activities from resources like The Ultimate Camp Resource, where each stop in the scavenger hunt requires teams to complete tasks before receiving the next clue. These activities foster collaboration and problem-solving skills while keeping the adventure exciting for the participants.

"It comes in a bowl and sometimes a cup. You use a set of chopsticks to slurp them up." Answer: Ramen or noodles. "Cold as ice but with more flavor. Served on a stick with tastes you'll savor." Answer: Popsicles. "Erroneously thought to be of German descent. They used to be sold for only ten cents." Answer: A Hamburger. "Triangle-shaped from south of the border. You enjoy these as you wait for your order." Answer: Tortilla chips. "Enjoyed hot or cold according to taste. Have enough of this and you'll be buzz-faced." Answer: Coffee. "It doesn't bark or snarl but eating one can be fun. It's plump and it sizzles and fits nicely in a bun." Answer: A hot dog.

Mix the items or clues so every group gets the same list in a different order.

It depends. If it is for small children, around the yard, house, or neighborhood is probably the best and safest option. For older kids and adults, having the scavenger hunt around a park or city might be more interesting.

Give them all blank paper. Have them write their own lists, then trade lists.

It depends on your preference. Here are a few examples. First, you can hide one object and make them take pictures of the object when they find it. Second, you can hide one of each object per team. Or third, you can hide one object, so who ever finds it gets to keep it in their item bin.

You can hide almost anything, from a bottle cap, to interesting pictures, or souvenirs. Just don't put anything sharp, especially in a tight spot!

Halloween is a good theme if you're doing it in the fall. Otherwise, it depends on what the teens are into. You could do like a dystopian Hunger Games type theme or Harry Potter, or science fiction/Star Wars type theme.

Yes. Typically, each team has the same list of items to ensure fairness.

You can use candy or other packaged foods, but I wouldn't leave fresh food out in the open if you're doing the scavenger hunt outside.

There's really no way to do this without giving yourself a huge advantage. What you could do is have two teams, and you make the list for one team (that you are not on) and have another person make the list for your team.

What animal is the best at baseball - a bat! Two baseball teams played a game. One team won but no man touched base. How could that be? They were all-girls teams.

Obviously you want them to rhyme. Like, if they're looking for cake, I might have a clue like, "Brother of a freezer, houser of the steak. This is where you will find your cake." Or if they're looking for candy, I might say, "This is your final clue, so listen closely, guys! I'm hidden on the slide, go look for your prize!"

For our scavenger hunt, the team returning with the most items in 90 Minutes wins! If both teams complete their lists, the team with the best time wins! Each team also had a different list of items and went door-to-door.

Start off by giving the players a clue so they don't have to look all over and find the wrong one by accident. Also remember to write down the numbers on the cards!