A Fun Scavenger Hunt Game for the Kids (with Printable!)

This is a game that can be played indoors, outdoors or both!

When we were away in PEI, we created a game for the kids to play that was not only fun but also kept them busy for some time. It was challenging and while we just kind of put it together with whatever we had around, it worked out great.

This game can be modified for younger kids (we have always done scavenger hunts with the kids using a variety of toys when they were little) but in this case, the game is meant for older kids. It was enough of a challenge that both my kids enjoyed it!

For the purpose of writing this, ‘you’ will be the hunt master (as I was). That means you’ll hide the items and give the hints etc. Anyone can be the hunt master though (this is also a great job for a mother’s helper or older sibling!)

Here’s how to set it up the scavenger hunt game for the kids:

What you’ll need

10 items (any item that will be hidden, so something identifiable)

Sheets of paper

Coloured paper (again, something identifiable)

A bin/laundry basket per player

To Set up the game

NOTE: 10 items works well with 2 players. If more players, use 15 items.

1) Choose your 10 items. Try to use items of varying sizes to make hiding them a challenge.

Some suggestions: Hats, stuffed animals, hair brush, action figure etc. Set your items aside, and make sure every player sees what they look like before you hide them.

2) Using your coloured paper, you’ll create 3 special note cards

Write the following (one per card)

ONE EXTRA MINUTE

PRIVATE HINT

GROUP HINT

These bonus cards will get hidden as well, and if the players find them, can be used to their advantage. An extra minute of time can help a player search for items longer. A Private Hint means you’ll give only that player a clue to find an item (ie – which room it is in) and a group hint means you give the clue to all players.

Note: If they find the cards, they will bring them to you to use. 

3) Once you have your 10 items selected, and your bonus cards ready to go, print the printable or use a piece of paper to write down each item, and assign a series of points. (1, 2 or 3 points per item).

PRINTABLE – scavenger hunt list (BLANK)

Of the 10 items, you’ll probably want about 5 to be worth 1 point, 3 worth 2 and 2 items worth three.

Every player in the game needs a sheet of paper, so you’ll  be writing the list out for each player!

4) Lastly, every play has a home base basket (a laundry bin works well). This is where they will collect items. You can place their basket anywhere but they need to add the items they find to the basket. So if they have an item in their hand when the timer goes, and not in their bin, the points don’t count.

5) Before the game begins, participants need to be secluded somewhere while you hide the items. Decide if any rooms are off limits, or if the outdoor are is included in their search. (tip: make bathrooms off limits)

Hide the items.

6) Set your timer for either 15 or 20 minutes (depending on how hard you are making the hiding)

Then, once the items and bonus cards are hidden, start the timer and send players on their way. They hunt and bring their items to the baskets to ensure they get their points at the end.

TIP: This is a great game to play on a rainy day!

7) At the end of the timer, anyone with the bonus minute can enjoy searching without the other players. When their minute is up, the scores are tallied.

You can vary the game as much as you like, but it’s great with only the two players, more players, or even as teams!

To recap:

Every item get assigned a point. Items and bonus cards are hidden. Kids stay in a secluded area while you hide them. Each of the players has a home base basket where items have to be dropped off. Set the timer. Kids hunt until timer goes. Points tallied. 

Have fun! (We made this up on the fly, so if I didn’t explain something clearly, please send me a message and I’ll try to expand! 😉