How to plan a family scavenger hunt

Mar 21, 2012 2:00 PM by Christina Holt

Posted in Parenting / Family Fun / Family Activities

Planning a scavenger hunt

When done right, scavenger hunts can be a fun and interactive activity for the whole family. With the proper planning, your clues will excite and amaze your children -- creating a fun, family memory that will last a lifetime.

Consider the age of all participants so all clues, locations and prizes are age appropriate.
Place a prize at the end of the scavenger hunt. For a party, put together small goody bags for each child, hang a piñata or serve cake and ice cream for the entire party.
Map out and walk the route to ensure you have the clues pointed to the correct locations and to time how long the hunt takes to complete.

If you're celebrating an event, model the clues and map around the theme.
Create the perfect scavenger hunt with the tips below.
Create a safety plan if a large group of children are involved. If your scavenger hunt includes going outdoors or to public locations, make sure you have enough adults to watch over and stay with the kids while on the scavenger hunt.

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How to create a family-friendly scavenger hunt

Work backward

Start at the end of the scavenger hunt -- by leaving a prize -- and then select the next to last location. While at the next to last location, write a clue as to where the prize is located. The second to last location will have a clue as to where the hunters can find the second to last clue, and so on.

Draw maps for younger children

Lead the way for younger children by mapping out the scavenger hunt trail. This helps to ensure the kids find the clues instead of getting frustrated or losing interest.

Use a birthday party theme

If your child is having a pirate-themed party, make a treasure map or make each clue piece together to form a treasure map. At the end, reward each pirate with a small bag of coins, an eye patch (or other pirate wear) or goodies -- like pirate-themed cupcakes.

Get creative with your clues

If part of the scavenger hunt is inside a house, keep one room dark and require that the kids use flashlights.
Make some clues invisible by writing on the paper with white crayon. Use a highlighter or light-colored marker to reveal the clue.
Get your neighbors involved in the scavenger hunt by planting clues in neighboring houses or yards.

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Scavenger hunt tips

Younger children (ages 2-5)

keep the scavenger hunt inside the house
write the clues in big, bold letters and include a drawing or visual hint along with the words

Older children (ages 6-12)

utilize the inside of a house and the front or backyard
use riddles and rhymes to make the clues more difficult

Tweens/teens (age 12 and up)

go to a location away from the home (shopping center, park, beach, etc.)
use riddles and rhymes to make the clues more difficult

For larger groups, split the group in half and have them compete against each other to see who can complete the hunt first. It’s best to make it a competition with older kids or with kids who you know will not get upset over the competitiveness.