Want your kids to love reading as much as you do? Then give them a scavenger hunt with books as the prize. The scavenger hunt for kids can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. You could give your kids a list of 100 words and have them guess what five word phrase describes you best. Or you could give them a 30-question multiple choice test and have them choose which of three pictures best fits their guess about what you like to do for a living.
What is Scarvenger Hunts?
According to Wikipedia: “A scavenger hunt is a game in which the organizers prepare a list defining specific items, which the participants seek to gather or complete all items on the list, usually without purchasing them. Usually participants work in small teams, although the rules may allow individuals to participate. The goal is to be the first to complete the list or to complete the most items on that list. In variations of the game, players take photographs of listed items or be challenged to complete the tasks on the list in the most creative manner. A treasure hunt is another name for the game, but it may involve following a series of clues to find objects or a single prize in a particular order”.
Scavenger ideas for kids can be as complex or as simple as you want them to be. The key is that you, as the adult, control the level of difficulty. Here are 50 great ideas for scavenger hunts for kids:
1. Reading Lists – Print out 100 titles (or roughly 100 words) from the Yale Book of World Wide Reading and have your child pick out 5 to read. (Hint: If he’s 7 years old, read the books to him and he’ll enjoy it almost as much as you.)
2. What is your favorite food group? Give your child three different categories (fruit, vegetable, junk food) and have them find an example of something in each category on a list of 25 foods. Have them describe the food and explain which category it belongs in. If they get it right, tell them they are a smart cookie and give them an award. If they get it wrong, tell them they need to pay more attention in class and give them an award. Either way, give them an additional prize for finding the three categories in the first place.
3. What animal best describes you? Give your child a list of 10 things and have them find an example of each on a list of 25 items. Have them describe the item and explain which list it belongs on.
4. What is your favorite color? Give your child a list of 20 different colors and have them find the one that describes you best. If they guess right, tell them they are a smart cookie and give them an award.
5. In fact, what is your favorite day of the week? Help your child create a scavenger hunt with seven different days of the week as the prize. Let them describe a single thing they like about each day. If they get it right, give them an award. If they get it wrong, then tell them they need to pay more attention in class and give them an award. Either way, give them an additional prize for getting three questions right.
6. Do you like green eggs and ham? Help your child create a scavenger hunt with three categories (green, yellow and brown) and have them find three examples of something in each category on a list of 25 things. Have them describe the things and explain which category they belong in.
7. What is your idea of the perfect vacation? Help your child create a scavenger hunt with three different categories (holidays, vacations and no-vacation) and have them find three examples of something in each category on a list of 25 things. Have them describe the things and explain which category they belong in.
8. What is your favorite sport to watch? Give your child a list of 20 sports and have them find the one that describes you best. If they guess right, tell them they are a smart cookie and give them an award. If they get it wrong, then tell them they need to pay more attention in class and give them an award. Either way, give them an additional prize for getting three questions right.
9. What is your favorite cartoon character? Give your child a list of 10 cartoon characters and have him find the one that describes him best.
10. What is your favorite type of animal? Help your child create a scavenger hunt with five different types of animals (dog, cat, bird, etc.) and have them find five examples of something that describes you best. Have them describe the things and explain which category they belong in.
How to create a scavenger hunt for a kid?
You’ve got to get people excited enough so they’ll want to participate in your scavenger hunt. You’ve got to excite them so much that they’ll be willing to pay money to participate.
The first thing you’ve got to accept is that sometimes people don’t respond the way you think they should. Especially when it comes to things you believe are important to them. In such cases, you’ve got to understand that sometimes people will do the exact opposite of what you think they should do. Don’t take it so seriously. It’s just part of being human. If you are serious about making a change, then you’ll have to make adjustments as you go along.
If you adjust your expectations and you remain open-minded, then you’ll find that quite often people do respond in ways you would never have thought possible.
If you do this, then you’ll be able to create an environment in which more people are willing to participate in your scavenger hunt. And quite often, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many people will come forward with money to participate. You’ll be able to create a better reality for yourself because you’ll be able to attract more people who share your values.
How to Scavenger Hunt:
1. Choose a Book Your Kid Will Love!
2. Next, divide the book into three parts. (One part for each scavenger hunt category.)
3. Create a list of 25 items for each category.
But if you don’t have much time to create a scavenger hunt, you can choose a suitable one in this list:
1. Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt
This is a atractive game for kid with a thirst for knowledge. The box contains 35 Find and Seek cards, 2 instruction cards, and 1 drawstring bag. All you need is some time and a bunch of kids.
2. Scavenger Hunt to Play Rain or Shine
It’s great for family fun! The game is suitable for kid years 6 and up. Their idea of having fun isn’t just playing board games; they like to get outside and have adventures too! This time they are on a scavenger hunt where they must find items on a list that have to do with being an outdoor adventurer.
3. Family Scavenger Hunt Game
This is the best version of our Find and Seek card game. It contains 280 cards and instructions. This is the perfect rainy day or vacation activity for kids ages 6+
4. Outdoor Nature Scavenger Hunt
This game is a great way for your kids to get out in nature and learn all about it. It’s designed for kids ages 3+ but adults will also enjoy this game as well!
5. Nature Themed Camping Bingo Game
A great way to get the whole family outside and active! Great for families with children, couples, friends, or anyone looking for an exciting camping activity! Nature-Themed Camping Bingo Game Cards These cards are designed to be used with Nature Scavenger Hunt Game. Whether you’re looking for a fun camping trip idea, a great way to get the family active, or simply a great gift for someone who loves the great game, these 50 cards are just what you need!
6. Briarpatch Travel Scavenger Hunt
Great for scouts, cub scouts, boy scouts and other outdoor groups. This is the perfect rainy day or vacation activity for kids ages 7+ or for a group of friends who wants to play a fun travel themed game!
7. Family Scavenger Hunt by Outset Media
Great for families with children ages 5+ or as a family fun night activity! This game is designed to be played with Find and Seek card game. It’s the perfect rainy day or vacation activity for kids ages 6 and up
8. Party Hearty, Birthday Bingo
Great for kids and adults, this outdoor scavenger hunt bingo card game is easy to learn but challenging to master. This set includes the indoor and outdoor bingo sheets, the 14 clue sheets, and 8 blank template sheets. This is an ideal party favor bag or gift idea for the kids (or adults!) who has the greatest chance of winning the scavenger hunt.
9. Treasure Hunt Game for Children
Great for children ages 3-10 or for families with children this is a great rainy day or vacation activity. This is a simple and fast playing card game that can be played in 30 minutes or less. The goal of the game is to find all of the treasure cards located on the board and hidden in the boxes before your opponents do.
10. Go Seek – Speedy scavenger-hunt
It’s for 2 to 10 players. This exciting new card game features dozens of amazing prizes. The game comes with 150 cards, portable plastic case and instructions.
So many people struggle with coming up with “fresh” ideas. You don’t have to be as imaginative as James (LOL) to have ideas that are actually fresh and profitable. By scavenger hunting through all the stuff you already know about, you will come up with ideas that are both new and also very profitable.
FAQs for “Scavenger hunt ideas”
What is the difference between a scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt?
A treasure hunt has an actual, physical prize. Like a bag of gold coins or a box full of diamonds or something else you can actually possess. A treasure hunt is more like a game of “hot-and-cold.” You start out by giving your group a bunch of “hints” about where the prize is located.
OK, so what kind of clues do you use to give people when you are running a “treasure hunt”?
Clues are anything you choose to tell the participants which will help them find the prize. If you are giving a scavenger hunt with a list of things to buy, then your clues would be the list of things to buy.
But what if I don’t know exactly where the prize is located? How will my participants be able to find it?