Scavenger hunts are always a favourite for birthday parties but why not create a few for the kids during the holidays or weekends too! It is a quick and easy way to create some fun and entertainment. Your kids could search for their afternoon tea or get a special treat as the treasure.

Hunts can be as simple as looking for items on a list or can be more complex with riddles, challenges and fun tasks to complete before finding the ‘treasure’. As kids get older, they’ll be ready for more advanced challenges. Your children can do it as a team, by themselves or a combination of the two.

Here are 10 challenges you can set for your kids for an anytime scavenger hunt. You can pick and choose from these challenges, add some riddles or challenges of your own and away you go! 

For more ideas and inspiration, check out our Ultimate Guide to Scavenger Hunts ebook, available at www.bigbookofgames.com

Photo Sort: 

The children have to sort photos (I use pictures of the children, one from each year) into the correct chronological order to get the next clue. 

Say Hello: 

Say Hello in 5 different languages before being given the next clue. 

Lyrics puzzle: 

Find words hidden on pieces of paper and then arrange them into lyrics from a well-known song. 

Ball Toss: 

Throw x (you decide) number of balls into the bucket from behind the line to be given your next clue. 

Word Scramble: 

Make a word out of a selection of letters they are given. 

Rainbow hunt: 

Find a small item in the house or garden in each colour of the rainbow.  

Envelope Hunt: 

Hunt for coloured envelopes that contain puzzle pieces. Put together the puzzle to reveal a word that will lead you to the treasure. The puzzle is a piece of paper with a word written on it then cut into puzzle pieces.

No Hands:

Using only your feet, remove all the marbles or pieces of lego from the bucket of water. No hands are allowed or you will start again. 

Colour Count: 

Count the exact number of each colour of beads or pieces of lego mixed in the bowl. 

Card Stack:

Use playing cards given to build a 3-layer card house.