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How to Build a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a game where a list of items is created by the person hosting the scavenger hunt. The items are gathered by individuals or teams. The purpose of the game is to gather all of the items on the list in an allotted amount of time. The individuals or teams who return to the starting point of the hunt in the allotted time with all the items on the list are the winners. Scavenger hunts can be created for all ages and to suit any party or gathering including birthday parties, picnics, even at a place of employment.

Things You'll Need

Paper
Pens/Pencils/Markers
Clues
List of individuals or teams
List of items
Rules
Map
Party supplies

Instructions

Building a Scavenger Hunt
- 1
  
  Scavenger hunts are fun for everyone.
  
  Create a theme. A scavenger hunt can be entertainment for any party, outing, road trip or theme that can be imagined. Areas of the hunt can be anywhere indoors or outdoors including neighborhoods, malls, and parks, even on the Internet.
- 2
  
  Be sure to have your list in hand and get ready to hunt.
  
  Create your scavenger hunt list. Preparing the list for a scavenger hunt will depend on the age group of the participants and if it will be individual or team-oriented. The list should be creative and have good clues and tips to enhance the participant's experience. Some items could be from the neighborhood or the city the hunt is in.
- 3
  
  Create unique and interesting clues.
  
  Write the clues for your scavenger hunt. Adding clues and tips help to find the locations of the items. The clues can be riddles that have to be deciphered. The clues will indicate the direction of the next location that the participants need to proceed to. Landmarks can also be used for directions to the next point on the map.
- 4
  
  Set a reasonable time to complete the scavenger hunt.
  
  Set the length of time for the scavenger hunt. The time that is allotted for finding all of the items should also be on the list. There is a set amount of time to find all the items on the list in order to win. Each participant or team participating in the hunt will receive a copy of the list with all the pertinent information to carry out the hunt. When participants receive the list the hunt begins and the clock starts ticking away.
- 5
  
  Participants need to know the rules of the hunt.
  
  Explain all the rules. Gather everyone who is participating in the hunt together. You want to explain the rules of the hunt to everyone thoroughly. This gives them time to ask any questions they may have.
- 6
  
  Hide or locate the items to be found on the scavenger hunt.
  
  Hide the scavenger hunt items. If you are hosting a small scavenger hunt at home or for a small party, then chances are you will need to hide the scavenger hunts items. However, if you are having a large corporate size scavenger hunt or even a city-wide scavenger hunt, then you won't have to hide items. Some scavenger hunts use local landmarks or items in the office. In cases like these, participants may have to take a photo of the item or bring something back from a location like a business card.
- 7
  
  Get ready for the fun to begin on your scavenger hunt.
  
  Prepare to hunt. When beginning the scavenger hunt the individuals or teams are separated and each is given a list of the same specific items that are to be found. The individual or team that finds all the items and returns with them to the host in the allotted time is the winner of the hunt.

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