Scavenger Hunt
In the most common game, a list of items is handed out to the players. They can form teams or work individually. The winner is the player or team that finds the most items on the list.
Here are some ideas for lists that could be used depending on the location.
| Beach heart shaped rock shell bird feather seaweed gum wrapper sun screen sand pail a white sandal |
Park red flower petal bird feather gum wrapper twig with two bends in it coin key ball |
Backyard garden tool seed candy wrapper comb ball pencil white object |
Variations
- Each item on the list could be assigned points depending on how difficult it would be to find that item. A bent stick could be worth 1 point, while a 1989 penny could be worth 10 points.
- Rather than a list, assign each team a color. The winner is the team that finds the most objects that fit their category. If a team was assigned blue, they might come back with a candy wrapper with blue writing, a blue pen, a blue shirt, a blue piece of paper. Teams should only be given points for one of an item (only one pair of blue jeans would be counted).
- Assign each team a shape (circle, square, triangle ...). If the shape is triangle they might find a rock with a triangle edge, a key chain with a triangular link or charm, and a pyramid. Teams could decide in advance if they think one shape will be harder to find. The team that gets the more difficult shape could get more points for each item they find.
- For younger children, use clipart or drawings to create the list. Or assign teams partnering a younger child with someone who can read.
Different Types of Treasure Hunts
Photographic
If all players have a camera, they could have a photographic treasure hunt. Use this idea if players would be collecting items in sensitive eco-system. In a park, the list could include things like a blue flower, a bird a prey, and insect with red on it. Players have to take pictures of each item as they find it.
Information
Pick a theme or topic you want the players to learn more about. You can either provide books, internet access, a library, or other resources. Ask them to list as many facts about the topic as possible in a set amount of time. At the end, have each team read out their fact list. If another team has the same fact, scratch it off both lists. The team with the most unusual facts wins. For example, if the topic is dinosaurs, every team might write down that dinosaurs are extinct.
Music
Choose a word and have players’ list songs with that word in the title. If the word is 'star', the list could include songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, When you Wish Upon a Star, A Star is Born.
Cautions
Be sure to talk to players about respecting the environment, asking permission before taking personal property, and using good judgment when they are collecting items. Depending on the location, you may need to discuss health and safety issues too!
Information retrieved from www.creativekidsathome.com