A "Picture With" Hunt
Kids love to take pictures, and eight-year-olds are at a perfect age to be able to use a camera efficiently for their scavenger hunt. Use a Polaroid camera for instant pictures or digital cameras so you can download quick pictures at the end. Assign each group a camera and a list of "photo ops" it must get under their time limit. For example, require a photo of one group member with a mailbox. Require a photo of two group members with a neighbor's dog. Require a photo of the whole group standing in front of a fence.
By the Numbers Hunt
Eight-year-olds are typically very proficient with their numbers and love to use their math skills. Give them a list of items to bring back that require just one of an item, then two of the next item, three of the next item and so on until they get to item number 10 on the list. This is a great themed hunt to play outdoors where rocks, leaves, grass blades and other items in nature come in abundance. For an indoor version, assign each group a different room (bathroom, kitchen, pantry) and have them come up with a list of 10 items to bring back, making sure they have one item for the first list item, two for the second list item and so on all the way to the end of the list.
By the Clue Hunt
By the age of eight, many kids love to show off their emerging reading skills. Turn your scavenger hunt into a "Blues Clues" version of a hunt where each team is given a single clue to where it must go to find the next clue. That location will contain another clue to the next location. Continue giving progressive clues until they reach the last clue in the hunt and it leads to the location of a group prize. Have a small treasure chest or box with treats for all members of the group to share.
Glow-in-the-Dark Hunt
What eight-year-old doesn't love glow-in-the-dark toys? Add the element of glow-in-the-dark to ramp up the excitement for your scavenger hunt. You can play this in a roomy indoor space where you can close blinds/window coverings and turn out the lights to make it dark. For an outdoor version, play in the backyard just after it gets dark. Use glow-in-the-dark toys you get at the dollar store (like stars, bats, butterflies etc.). If you want to use regular scavenger hunt items, get a bag of glow-in-the-dark necklaces or bracelets to activate and snap around, lay on top or hang from the item. Give party-goers their list and set them loose in the hunt area.