How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (2024)

Happy Scavenger Hunt Day!

Yep, there is actually a national day for it!

To celebrate, we wanted to share some tips on how YOU can create your own scavenger hunt with your friends and family!

By definition: a scavenger hunt is a game, typically played in an extensive outdoor area, in which participants have to collect a number of miscellaneous objects.

It’s heaps of fun and since we know a thing or two about a scavenger hunt, here is your step-by-step guide on how you can create your own thrilling and adventurous scavenger hunt:

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (1)

Choose your location(s) and time

We currently service over 978 locations worldwide, but don’t worry, you don’t have to go that far!

There might be an iconic attraction near where you live that could play an excellent location for a scavenger hunt. For example, if you lived in London, you could hide your items/clues around the Southwark area, home of the London Eye!

Give your players a time limit of how long they have to complete the hunt, which adds a bit of competitive pressure on your players to ensure they complete it in time!

Once you pick your location and time, next is the theme…

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (2)

Pick a theme

It’s time to get creative with a theme!

There’s all sorts of generic and more exotic themes you could choose from. You could do something as basic as a nature-themed hunt, a food related hunt where you could scavenge for the best food, or if you’re hosting a bachelorette/hen party, you could have fun with that too!

Other theme ideas include Sherlock Holmes where you could hide a bunch of riddles and players have to find the end result, or Harry Potter for players who want to find the hidden objects.

The more creative and in-depth, the more fun it will be for your players.

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (3)

Create your lists and riddles

Once you’ve picked your theme, time and location, gather your team together and give them the tools they need to start their scavenger hunt.

This is the most fun, because if you’re organising the list and items - you’re in control!

Assign points to each clue, awarding more points for more difficult items and keep the list secret until the day of the event for the ultimate suspense!

Make sure you keep a list on the side with the places you’ve hidden the objects or clues, so you don’t forget mid-game should anyone get stuck!

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (4)

Hide the clues and/or objects

One of your most crucial jobs is to ensure you hide your clues/objects in hotspot areas that your players will find challenging.

But it’s also important that you don’t overwhelm or confuse your players - ensure the clues/objects are hidden in places that aren’t too hard to reach.

Consider the mobility of your players and how far they need to go in order to get the clues.

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (5)

Write your riddles/clues

Any scavenger hunt needs the aid of some riddles and/or clues to help your players along their journey.

In order to find the hidden items, you need to write some captivating and brain-teasing riddles or clues and each riddle or clue can bring your players one step closer to the final result.

They can range from mathematical riddles leading to coordinates on a map, the geometric riddles and even riddles that lead your players to a certain attraction or object.

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (6)

First one to solve all the clues and grab the final object/figures out the end result wins!

Add an element of competitiveness amongst the group - first one to find all the clues and solve the scavenger hunt wins a prize!

But most importantly, have fun!

If you want to experience a virtual scavenger hunt where you can see your local city turn into a giant playground, our detective day experience is the ultimate scavenger hunt!

Find your nearest adventure here.

How To Plan Your Own Scavenger Hunt (2024)

FAQs

What are some good scavenger hunt clues and answers? ›

FAQ: Scavenger hunt clues
  • If you want to eat, then take a seat! (Dining room chair)
  • One of me per day keeps the doctor away. (Apple)
  • I can't mix batter, but I can bake a cake. (Oven)
  • I come in pairs, I'm easy to lose, I go between your feet and your shoes. (Socks)
Nov 30, 2022

How do you make clever clues for a scavenger hunt? ›

40 best clues for your ultimate scavenger hunt
  1. You cut me on a table, but I'm never eaten. ...
  2. A band that doesn't play instruments but has plenty of styles. ( ...
  3. Everything ends with me. ...
  4. How many glasses of water can one drink on an empty stomach? ( ...
  5. I am not a lamp, but I can light up. ...
  6. I am not an organ, but I have 13 hearts.
Oct 12, 2022

How do you make a scavenger hunt lesson plan? ›

Post “cards” around the room (or into the halls) with specific learning tasks on them. Prepare an answer page that each student will carry around. Students are told a starting point in the scavenger hunt. After working through the first card (their starting point), students walk around to find the answer.

How can I make my scavenger hunt more fun? ›

Incorporate surprise elements or bonus challenges to maintain interest. Ensure the hunt is accessible to all participants, offering tasks that cater to different skills and interests.

What is the rule of scavenger hunt? ›

Hide or identify objects, landmarks, or other things for players to find, and write down fun clues using words and images. Split players into teams, set a time limit, and then set them loose!

What are good scavenger hunt questions? ›

Scavenger Hunt Riddles for Kids
  • I am in the kitchen, but you can't eat me, fido really loves to greet me! ...
  • When you feel tired, you might use me, I have four legs, but I have no feet. ...
  • I have a neck but do not have a head, I wear a cap on top instead. ...
  • I am a rainbow in a box. ...
  • I grow short as I get older.
Dec 15, 2022

What is an example sentence for scavenger hunt? ›

They were on a scavenger hunt, they said. The money for the scavenger hunt was left over tuition for school and from local sponsors. This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license. There is also an outdoor classroom for schools and groups, and a scavenger hunt scorecard.

What has blades but is not a knife? ›

Fan. I have blades but I'm not a knife.

What are good clues for an outdoor scavenger hunt? ›

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Clues for Adults
  • I have four legs and no feet. ...
  • Stretch me far and fill up a trough, I can also be used to cool you off. ...
  • In a place like this, a dog can sleep. ...
  • With two wheels I can roll and I can take you where you want to go. ...
  • I can swing open and I can lock up tight.
Feb 1, 2024

What is a bed without sheets and I'm always dirty? ›

50. Flowerbed. I'm a bed without sheets and always dirty.

What are some good scavenger hunt clues for adults? ›

The 35 Best Scavenger Hunt Clues for Adults
  • If I'm on the road, you'll have a decision to make. ...
  • I am two things: an instrument and a shape. ( ...
  • Looking for the best way to avoid the doctor's office? ...
  • I don't move; however, you may find me running around your backyard but never in the house. (
May 6, 2022

What is a scavenger hunt assignment? ›

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.

How long should a scavenger hunt take? ›

A good rule of thumb is to aim to have your scavenger hunt last 30 minutes to an hour. If you have younger participants, veer towards the 30-minute mark, as they have a shorter attention span. If you have a group of determined adults, you can easily complete an hour of solid hunting.

How do you plan a children's scavenger hunt? ›

Start by choosing a location and theme for your scavenger hunt. Create a list of items or clues that the children need to find, making sure they are age-appropriate and achievable. Hide the items or place the clues strategically around the area. Prepare any additional materials such as maps or instructions.

Is there an app to create your own scavenger hunt? ›

TurfHunt is one of the coolest DIY scavenger hunt apps. The program is a fully-customizable location-based treasure hunt game. Gamemasters create quizzes and courses with an easy-to-use design and publish tool. Players can download the app and join the hunt by entering a custom code.

Is there a free scavenger hunt app? ›

If you're looking for a basic free scavenger hunt app, Actionbound might be your choice.

What items can be used for a scavenger hunt? ›

Field trip scavenger hunt ideas include:
  • Certain colors or shapes.
  • Items in an exhibit at the museum.
  • Items with a logo on them.
  • Specific rides at a carnival or amusem*nt park.
  • Types of animals at the zoo.
  • Vendors that sell specific food items (cotton candy, popcorn)
  • Words or letters from signs.
Aug 19, 2022

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rubie Ullrich

Last Updated:

Views: 5953

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rubie Ullrich

Birthday: 1998-02-02

Address: 743 Stoltenberg Center, Genovevaville, NJ 59925-3119

Phone: +2202978377583

Job: Administration Engineer

Hobby: Surfing, Sailing, Listening to music, Web surfing, Kitesurfing, Geocaching, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Rubie Ullrich, I am a enthusiastic, perfect, tender, vivacious, talented, famous, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.