Create a Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are very popular games for kids. It's also a great game idea for parties; even if you're an adult, scavenger hunts are still fun. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Steps

 * 1)  Decide when and where you want to have the hunt: In the park, at home, at the office, etc.
 * 2)  Decide what kind of prize to have at the end of the hunt. If the hunt is for kids, a good prize might be small toys, chocolate candy. Coupons or movie tickets are good prizes for older children. Adults will appreciate  a gift certificate to a nice restaraunt, a giftcard to a favorite store or a basket of goodies, etc.
 * 3)  Create a list of things for the guests to find. The list can include easy-to-find items, such as a stick of gum, a pencil, needle and thread; or harder-to-find items, such as an old record, a ticket stub from an old movie, a hula hoop. Be creative! The possibilities are endless!
 * 4)  On the day of the hunt, divide your guests into teams. Give each team a list of items and a time limit. The guests should have enough time to find most of the items; an hour might be a good place to start.
 * 5)  When the time is up, count the number of items for each team. The team who got the most items wins!

Tips

 * For very young children (preschool age) limit the scavenger hunt to no more than fifteen minutes. At the elementary age, the scavenger hunt can go up to half an hour before frustration and chaos ensue.
 * For an alternative, try a video scavenger hunt. This works on the same principle except you give the guests a list of things to do and record them doing it. An example: have your guests act like ducks and climb in a fountain, quacking. Again, be creative!
 * After a video scavenger hunt, pop some popcorn, and watch the videos.
 * If you don't want to have to put the things away after, give an extra prize to the team who puts the things away in their place, eg: toothpaste in the bathrooom.

Warnings

 * If planning a scavenger hunt for young children, make sure to have an adult head each team.
 * If your hunt is in the dark, ensure that there are no obstacles that might trip or hurt people scrambling about and not seeing very well. Provide flashlights for assistance or head lamps.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Find a Lost Dog
 * How to Find Lost Objects
 * How to Bury Valuables to Keep Them Safe
 * How to Bury Your Burdens

Sources and Citations

 * There are several printable scavenger hunt parties at My Mystery Party, that are great for kid's parties.
 * There are several printable scavenger hunt lists at Scavenger Hunts, including a glow in the dark scavenger hunt and jigsaw puzzle scavenger hunt that are perfect for kids.