Whether your kids are playing indoors or outdoors, these are the best scavenger hunts to keep them entertained for hours.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associates participant we earn from qualifying purchases.
Scavenger hunts for kids are a great boredom buster in the summertime. We’ve collected a wide variety of themes below that are tons of fun.
There are 2 main types:
- Hunters have a list of items to check off as they find them naturally.
- Clues are hidden in advance, with each one leading to the next.
You’ll find both kinds on our list. You can use any of them as-is or adapt them for your family. Swap out items, change the location, or use one of these lists as inspiration to create your own.
Good scavenger hunt clues encourage kids to think creatively, whether that’s solving a riddle (ex. You’ll find me where you keep your socks) or just searching for an item that fits a description (ex. Something that’s fuzzy).
Become a Happy Camper!
Sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter
and get a free printable 30 Day Reading Calendar!
Neighborhood chalk
This fun idea from Saving Talents combines sidewalk chalk art and a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
Backyard
This backyard scavenger hunt from Messy Little Monsters needs no setup, just something to check items off the list.
Birthday
Plan a birthday scavenger hunt at home for your child on their special day with this idea from House of Mahalo.
Summer Olympics
Do your kids love to watch the summer Olympics? Challenge them to look for everything on this summer Olympics list from Free Kids Crafts.
Road signs
Add this road signs hunt from Trish Sutton to your activities to do on a road trip.
Group photos
Need an activity for a group of kids together? Try this photo scavenger hunt, designed for scout troops by Making Friends, that has kids posing for fun photos.
LEGO
This LEGO minifigure scavenger hunt from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls needs a little setup, but it’s a ton of fun!
Bear hunt
Plan a fun community activity and send your kids on a bear hunt with Kids Activities Blog.
Nature
Send the kids out into the backyard or take a trip to a local park to find everything on this nature scavenger hunt from One Mama’s Daily Drama.
Flashlight
For a fun after-dark kids’ activity, try a flashlight scavenger hunt in your backyard. Find out how from Today’s Creative Activities.
Playground
Spend an afternoon on the playground and take a break to play this playground scavenger hunt from The Tiptoe Fairy.
Grocery store
Going shopping can be boring when you’re a kid, but not with this grocery store hunt from Moms and Munchkins.
Books
Challenge your kids to find books that match the clues from Scholastic on your bookshelf or at the library.
Math
Encourage your kids to find math in everyday life with this activity from Learn in Color that uses magazines and newspapers.
Treasure hunt
Make a map of your house or backyard, then hide the clues for this pirate treasure scavenger hunt.
Neighborhood emojis
Get your whole neighborhood involved in this fun emoji scavenger hunt idea from Fireflies and Mud Pies.
Rhyming
The clues for this hunt around the house are all rhyming riddles. Learn how to put it together at Celebrate Every Day with Me.
Bug hunt
Kids who love looking under rocks and befriending creepy crawly critters will adore this bug hunt list from Worth Writing For.
Camping
Don’t forget to pack this camping scavenger hunt for your next adventure, via Paper Trail Design.
Science
Kids can test their science knowledge by looking for items with different properties, from Tired But Crafty Mummy.
Dinosaurs
Follow the rhyming clues from Play Party Plan to find all the dinosaurs hidden around the house.
Video chat
Next time you’re zooming with grandparents or other family members, give your kids this video chat scavenger hunt from View From a Stepstool.
Alphabet
See if your kids can find all 26 letters of the alphabet with this creative activity from KC Edventures.
Indoor color
This indoor color hunt from Ideas for the Home is super cute and includes tons of tips for customizing it for your kids’ ages and interests.
These scavenger hunt ideas are a great addition to any other themed kids’ activity you’re planning or as a stand-alone one. They require little to no prep in advance but can provide hours of entertainment for kids. Best of all, they’re fun for all ages – even when younger kids and older kids are playing together.
Plan your summer with the DIY Summer Camp Planner!
Our step-by-step guide will help you organize a day, a week, or a whole summer of fun activities for your kids.
