Coolest Free Scavenger Hunt Ideas
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You'll find many of the coolest free scavenger hunt ideas right here on this page, but wait... Before you set out to search this page for ideas, here's a bit more about why scavenger hunts are loads of fun for everybody!
First off, don't get confused between Treasure Hunts and Scavenger Hunts. Treasure hunts involve following a set of clues that lead you to a treasure. Scavenger hunts involve two or more teams, each with a list of tasks the team members need to accomplish during a predetermined time.
On this page you'll find all the coolest free scavenger hunt ideas, information and inspiration to piece your own scavenger hunt.
You can either scroll down this page and read all the free scavenger hunt ideas or choose the idea category from the drop down list below:
Many of the free scavenger hunt ideas on this page have been graciously submitted by visitors like yourself. If you've got any cool scavenger hunt ideas to add, take a moment and submit your Scavenger Hunt ideas. You'll be taking part in creating the Web's ultimate kid birthday party resource that's ALWAYS FREE for everyone to enjoy! |
Important note before you hurry off: Along with the free scavenger hunt ideas, you'll also find original printables on this page. In order to download our printables, you'll need to subscribe first to our free newsletter. Once you do so, you'll receive the username and password necessary to access the printables. Don't worry, it's all free and your email address will never be shared.
Initial Preparations
You'll first have to divide the large group into small teams. Each team should have at least two kids in it (can have a lot more, but the minimum is two).
If you are planning that each team ride around in a vehicle, it's best to have no more than four kids on each team (plus an adult that can drive) - that way everyone (five people total) can fit in one car (unless you have a big car that holds more people). If the hunt is by foot, you don't need to worry about the amount of kids on a team.
Each team gets a list of things to find in or around the party area or an assigned location, and the first team to find everything on the list (in a designated amount of time) wins! If none of the teams finish finding everything on their list once the game is over, then the team that finds the most is the winning team.
There are lots of possibilities for a scavenger hunt theme: The scavenger hunt can take place outside or inside, have a particular theme like at the beach or an 'around the neighborhood' scavenger hunt, and can take place using pictures, clues, a camera, and loads of variations (more on this below in our scavenger hunt theme section).
At the end of each scavenger hunt there will be a winning team. The winning team is the one to bring all of the items on the list; or maybe each item on the list has a certain amount of points, so the team with the most points wins. You can also add or deduct points for teams that are early or late arriving to the last and final location (a location and final time that is known from the beginning of the hunt). For example: "You earn ten points if you are early", "You lose a point for each minute you are late", etc.
It's best to think of prizes for all of the teams, so that everyone feels that they are awarded something. The winning team can get a bigger prize.
It might also be a good idea to make some items harder to find by using secret codes, riddles or clues (you'll find more about this below in the scavenger hunt clues section of this page).
Remember to set a time limit (this depends on your scavenger hunt list and the age of the kids and how much patience they have). A scavenger hunt can range anywhere from 30 minutes to an all day activity.
Don't forget to feed everyone before or after the scavenger hunt (or even hand out goodie bags that the kids can munch on during the scavenger hunt).
Here's a cool homemade magnifying glass cake that can be cool to make if it's a birthday Scavenger hunt you're celebrating:
 Homemade Magnifying Glass Cakes |
You might want to give each group leader a whistle and/or flag so that all the team members can see him/her clearly. Each team can also wear the same colored tee-shirt, bracelet, bandana (or anything of the sort), which will make it easier for everyone to see each other and stick to their teams.
Scavenger Hunt Rules
When holding a scavenger hunt for kids, it's really important to start off with a set of rules, so that the kids know what they can and can't do. For example, if there is an adult with each group, make it clear that they must stay with that adult at all times.
Before going on any scavenger hunt, create a set of rules. We've created a whole page full of sample scavenger hunt rules.
Scavenger Hunt Themes
As mentioned above, there are unlimited variations for scavenger hunt themes. It really matters what your child loves most. For example, if your child loves horses you can have a scavenger hunt at a horse stable. Or if you want the scavenger hunt to be educational, you can have a hunt at the museum. If you want your kids to have a good time and help the environment as well, why not plan a 'save the environment' scavenger hunt (where the kids can not only learn about keeping the environment clean, but really go out and recycle!).
You can also create a scavenger hunt for any classic or character party theme (pirate, princess, dinosaur, etc.). With just a bit of creativity you can fit the free scavenger hunt ideas you'll find here to to almost any theme in the world.
Here are printable scavenger hunt invitations and thank-you notes that can fit any scavenger hunt theme, they are shaped like a magnifying glass and you can print out the worded or blank version:
 Worded Magnifying Glass Scavenger Invitations |
 Blank Magnifying Glass Scavenger Invitations |
| Click here to access the username and password for these free printables | |
Below we've created the most popular scavenger hunt themes (each comes complete with free scavenger hunt ideas, cool printable invitations and scavenger hunt lists!):
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Neighborhood & Park Scavenger Hunt (Ages 5-7, 8-12)
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Beach Scavenger Hunt (Ages 5-7, 8-12)The beach is always a fun place for a party and for birthday activities. It's also a great place for a scavenger hunt! Check out all of these free scavenger hunt ideas at the beach. |
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Mall Scavenger Hunt (Ages 8-12)For those shopping lovers, a scavenger hunt at the mall can be a whole lot of fun. You'll find lots of free scavenger hunt ideas on this mall scavenger hunt ideas page. |
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Nature Scavenger Hunt (Ages 8-12)There's nothing like the fresh air out in nature! This is one of the most popular hunts and can be very educational as well. Click here for a nature scavenger hunt where you'll find lots more free scavenger hunt ideas. |
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Photo Scavenger Hunt (Ages 8-12)Click, click, click, click... If you love that camera clicking sound, learn how to hold a photo scavenger hunt. |
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Video Camera Scavenger Hunt (Ages 8-12)This is more for the older kids but can definitely add more action and fun! The kids set out with a video camera on this video camera scavenger hunt. |
If you want your scavenger hunt to have a "Top Secret" twist to it, you can check out our Spy Detective party theme for more free scavenger hunt ideas.
Top Tip! Before you buy anything online, make sure to check out scavenger hunt supplies being offered on eBay. Often, you'll find new supplies at a fraction of what they cost at the stores:
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Scavenger Hunt Clues
Unlike a Treasure hunt where clues are a must, for a scavenger hunt clues are not a necessity. You can just have a list of things the kids need to find. But if you want the scavenger hunt to be more challenging, you might want to have a list of clues and/or riddles.
Each clue hints something the team needs to go look for. This is geared more for older kids who are old enough to make calculations, are able to decipher codes and solve brain-teasers. For younger kids who might not know how to read yet, you can create picture clues.
Check out this whole page full of scavenger hunt clues. For free scavenger hunt ideas for riddles, check out our scavenger hunt riddles page.
Your Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Lots of visitors from around the world have contributed their free scavenger hunt ideas to this site! Click here to see another page full with lots more visitor-submitted Scavenger Hunt ideas.
We'd love for you to take a moment and submit your own Scavenger Hunt ideas.
If you'd like share your complete Scavenger Hunt party with us, then once your party is over, send us your own PARTY TALE and we'll create your very own theme party page and photo gallery that's hosted on our site! (Family, friends and just about anybody will be able to find inspiration from your child's birthday party and comment on YOUR ideas!)
