Fun Scavenger Hunts Ideas for Kids
Scavenger Hunts are an awesome way to get the brain and body moving and we have used them a lot as a learning resource within our home education. They are a fun activity for kids but they can also learn whilst playing. There a lots of ways you can set up a scavenger hunt and these are some ideas to get you inspired to design a scavenger hunt for your kids that is all about fun, but at the same time learning!
Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt
By Colour
Give everyone a container they can use to put items into. Gather as many items of a chosen colour that they can.
Miniature
Everyone gets a very small box of the same size. They have to fill it with as many tiny things as possible in an allotted time. No duplicates
Magazine
Make a list of items to search for in a magazine, (i.e. man with a beard, a flower, a perfume bottle). Set a timer.
Alphabet Hunt
Give each child a sheet with a list of A to Z. Challenge them to find one item beginning with each letter
Nature Hunt
Give each child a container to use to put items in. Challenge them to gather as many nature related items as they can. Make sure they know not to put live things into the container.
Clue Based
Come up with scavenger hunt clues to help your children find the items on their list.
Get creative. You can use just about any theme you want for a scavenger hunt. You can also have some cool prizes to make it even more fun!
Printable Scavenger Hunts
If you don’t want to make your own scavenger hunt then I have you covered with a fabulous roundup of some of the best scavenger hunts with free printables.
Outdoor Scavenger Hunts
- A Fun Sensory Garden / Backyard Scavenger Hunt
- Beach Scavenger Hunt
Get ready for sun, sand, and scavenging fun! Introducing our “Free Downloadable Beach Scavenger Hunt for Kids” – the ultimate adventure for little beach explorers - A Bug Scavenger Hunt
- Zoo Scavenger Hunts
Two different scavenger hunts to try out the next time you visit the zoo with your kids. - Fun Neighborhood Outdoor Scavenger Hunt with Sidewalk Chalk
This is the perfect way to get the entire neighborhood involved in a scavenger hunt yet do it on your own time at each family’s convenience. - Camping scavenger hunt printable
One of these lists is a campground scavenger hunt for helping kids get oriented to the features around the campsite and the other is a giant family camping scavenger hunt. - Beach Scavenger Hunt
Great for a day at the beach and this one has created clues for preschoolers and readers, varying the design (and difficulty). - Rock Pool Scavenger Hunt
If you are heading to any rock pools be sure to check out this free printable. - Nature Scavenger Hunt
Fun outdoor activity for kids.
Indoor Scavenger Hunts
- Book Scavenger Hunt
This is a fantastic game to play either at home (if you have loads of books) or even better in a library. - Globe Trek Scavenger Hunt
Get ready for an exciting adventure that will take you on a journey around the globe. - Indoor Scavenger Hunt
This is the perfect activity when you need something to do that is super easy. - Periodic Table Scavenger Hunt
With 3 levels of difficulty, this periodic table game includes nearly all of the elements. What a fantastic way to learn about the periodic table. - Indoor Scavenger Hunt
This free printable features common items that most households will have in them, such as blue crayons or markers, balls, and toys with wheels. - Nonfiction Book Scavenger Hunt
A fun way to teach preschoolers about the different parts common to nonfiction books and how to go about using them. - Fun At Home Scavenger Hunt
An indoor scavenger hunt that is great to add some excitement to rainy days or those times when you’re stuck at home. - Colour Scavenger Hunt
Colour Scavenger Hunt—a thrill-packed, brain-teasing extravaganza that’ll have your kids squealing with delight and begging for more!
Special Occasions
- St Patrick’s Day
Start planning your own St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt with this great free printable. - Christmas-Theme Hunt
This Christmas-themed printable scavenger hunt for toddlers and preschoolers is ideal to play indoors and get them moving around and hunting for the objects. - Easter Hunt Clues
Easter scavenger hunt clues, with free printables that your kids will talk about for years to come! - Thanksgiving Hunt
A fun hunt to get all the family involved. - Halloween Hunt
Get the whole family involved in this exciting Halloween hunt with free printable. - Christmas Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Enjoy strolling the neighbourhood and checking out all the cool Christmas displays while checking off everything on your scavenger hunt list. - 4th July Hunt
Do you want some patriotic fun this 4th of July? Check out this free 4th of July Scavenger Hunt Printable!
Seasonal Scavenger Hunts
- Summer Scavenger Hunt
Turn a summer walk into a fun and exciting scavenger hunt with this free printable. - Fall Scavenger Hunt
Take this hunt on walks with you to help your kids learn about nature in the Autumn. - Spring Hunt
Great to keep kids busy outdoors whether your hiking, camping, or going on a nature walk with this free printable spring scavenger hunt! - Spring Scavenger Hunt
Another great spring hunt, perfect for getting your kids outside and exploring. - Summer Scavenger Hunts
For various summer activities: beach, nature walk, camping, and playground and backyard. Also includes a blank one so you can make up your own stuff to find.
Other Great Scavenger Hunts
- 5 Find and Draw Scavenger Hunts for Kids
Love this idea as it gets the kids outside into nature and doubles as an art activity. - 7 Easy Scavenger Hunts
If your looking for fun activities for the kids check these free printable treasure hunts. - Pet Store Scavenger Hunt
Pet stores are always enjoyable places to be but what about having things to look for while you are there. - #SummerSelfie Scavenger Hunt!
This is a fun way to ensure that your kids end up with pictures that have you in them too! - Printable Scavenger Hunts
Thirteen different scavenger hunt to keep your kids entertained.
