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How to Write a Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Kids of all ages enjoy the treasure-seeking fun of a scavenger hunt. One clue leads to another until the ultimate prize or location is found. Scavenger hunts are fun for individuals and for small or large groups. A good scavenger hunt requires some planning. Start with the final location, and work clues backward from there. When writing clues, be sure to gear them to the age group of the hunt's participants. Younger children work best with photo clues. Challenge older children with numeric clues that must be decoded. Children of all ages can have fun with a photo hunt game.

Photo Clues
- A close-up photo of a leaf leads children to a plant, but determining which plant can lead them on quite a hunt!
  
  Photo scavenger hunt clues are good options for children of all ages. Take a photo of each clue location and one of the final destination. Give very young children a photo to lead them to the next clue. For older children, cut the photos into puzzle pieces. They must assemble the photo puzzle to see where the next clue is hidden. For a bigger challenge, photograph only a small portion of the clue's location.
Picture Equations
- Photos depicting the equation "Horseshoe minus horse" leads children to search shoes for their next clue.
  
  Clues provided through picture equations, or rebus puzzles, develop language skills in addition to being fun. These clues use simple drawings or clip art to lead children to their clues. For example, a drawing of someone cooking plus a book would equal a cookbook. Children then know to search the cookbooks for their next clue. These types of clues require a good deal of planning and thought to keep them simple enough for young children.
Word Clues
- Word clues for scavenger hunts come in many forms. Short rhyming verses can lead to the next clue. Trivia clues are another type of word clue. These can be fill-in-the-blank-style clues or simple questions. Coded words and phrases are another fun way to make word clues. Provide a decoding key for each player that depicts each letter of the alphabet represented by a number. Write the clues using numbers; participants must decode the secret message.
Photo Hunt
- Send kids out with a camera and a list of items to hunt and photograph.
  
  Digital photography makes a photo scavenger hunt easy. Give participants a list of items to find, and equip them with digital cameras. Have students find all the items on the list, snapping a photo of each find as they go. The first participant (or team) who returns with a completed list wins the prize. This type of scavenger hunt does not require much planning, because one clue does not have to lead to another.

Kids Games