Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids: Indoor, Outdoor and Car Ride Games

A scavenger hunt needs almost no preparation, costs nothing and works for almost any age. It turns a boring afternoon, a long drive or a party lull into a game. Here is how to run a good one, with ideas for different places.

Pick the place and the length

Decide where the hunt will happen before you write the list. An indoor hunt works on rainy days and keeps everything inside the house. An outdoor hunt suits a yard, a park or a walk. A car ride hunt turns road signs and landmarks into a game. Set a time, such as 15 to 30 minutes, so the game has a clear end.

Write items that are easy to check

Good items are specific and safe. “Something round” or “a red car” are easy to check. Avoid anything that sends children onto roads, into water or near strangers. For younger children, use fewer items and read the list aloud. For older children, add trickier items, such as “something older than you” or “three different leaves”.

Try different ways to play

• Tick list. Everyone gets a list and ticks each item as it is found.
• Bingo. Use a 4×4 grid. The first player with four in a row wins, which keeps the game short.
• Teams. Pair an older child with a younger one so both can join in.
• Photo hunt. Take a picture of each find instead of collecting things.
• Treasure hunt. Hide a small prize and leave numbered clue cards that lead to it.

Seasonal ideas

In December, a Christmas lights hunt is a cheap way to enjoy the evening: look for a wreath, a star, lights shaped like icicles and a decorated tree in a window. For a birthday party, a hunt that asks guests to find someone wearing blue or someone who can whistle helps shy children meet one another. In a classroom, a quick hunt for something that starts with B or something shaped like a triangle fits a spare ten minutes.

Keep it fair and fun

Give a small prize for the most items and another for the most creative find. If a child is stuck, give a hint instead of a solution. End with a quick check of the finds together and a laugh about the funniest one.

Stay safe

Adults should supervise young children, especially outdoors, near roads or in a car. Remind players not to pick plants they do not know or touch wild animals.

Printable scavenger hunts

Our Scavenger Hunt Bundle has six themed hunts with 24 items each, bingo cards, 20 treasure hunt clue cards and a scoreboard. Try the free scavenger hunt sample first.

You can also browse every free sample on the Free Printables page, or see all digital downloads.