Are your kids already going stir crazy this summer? Are you looking for fun new activities to keep them engaged – and maybe even learn a little? A scavenger hunt is the answer! This is a great way to keep your kids and family entertained. You can even create multiple ones to last all summer! 

Tips for Scavenger Hunts

Before you plan out your scavenger hunt clues and ideas, below are a few tips and things to consider. 

• Keep it age appropriate. If you have multiple age levels in your family, consider putting different aged kids together on teams.
• Don’t overdo it. It is easy to get on a roll since putting one together is fun! But, keep time and focus levels in mind, especially for younger kids.
• Plan it at a good time. You don’t want anyone stressed or hungry during your scavenger hunt! So, make sure it’s not close to a nap or mealtime!
• Keep the weather in mind if it’s an outdoor hunt. Have a backup plan or date if storms are in the forecast!
• Have fun with it! If you have fun putting it together, then your kids/family will enjoy it! 

Scavenger Hunt Ideas

There are all types of scavenger hunts, and creating one doesn’t have to be hard! Here are some ideas for putting one together for your kids or family.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

You can choose to create a scavenger hunt that utilizes indoor or outdoor spaces, or both! If creating an outdoor one, try to work in a little learning about nature. For example, finding specific types of plants for older kids or spotting various animals for younger kids. Indoor scavenger hunts are great if you know it’s going to be hot or rainy on the days you want to have your hunt.

Use a Theme

Another fun option for a scavenger hunt is creating one based on a theme. It could be anything from “things that go” to “food.” For younger children, you could do a simpler theme, like a specific color.

Make an Announcement 

Scavenger hunts are a fun and interactive way to make announcements to your kids. Back when I was a single mom, I had a trip planned for my oldest daughter and myself to go to Puerto Rico and on a Disney Cruise. So, to announce this surprise trip, I did a scavenger hunt with clues (each clue lead to an item needed for a beach trip like sandals, swimsuit, etc.) and the last item was a journal that shared about the trip in the beginning. 

List vs. Clue

There are two major “types” of scavenger hunts, ones that have a list and you find the items or ones that lead from one clue to the next. Lists are great if you have a lot of things to find or younger children. You can even do picture lists. Clues are great for older children, team scavenger hunts or ones that lead to an announcement. 

Location Matters

Determine where you will do the scavenger hunt first as that will set the tone and help you know what you want to do with your hunt. Will it be at your home – inside or the backyard? Do you want to have it at a park if it’s a nature hunt? These are good questions to ask yourself before you plan it out!

Learning is Fun

Don’t be afraid to add in some learning components to your scavenger hunts. You could incorporate clues or list items from books your kids are reading. Or, for nature hunts, you can encourage learning about different animals or plants. 

Get creative! Scavenger hunts are just as much fun to create as they are to participate in!