What to Put on a Scavenger Hunt List

Holiday Lists

• Holiday parties provide a great opportunity to gather friends and family. Each holiday provides several options for what to include on your scavenger hunt list. On the Fourth of July, list items colored in red, white or blue such as a white towel, a red flower and a blue bag. For Easter, the scavenger list could include riddles, leading participants to treats. At Christmas include items such as garland, presents, or greeting cards. Send Halloween party guests to search for orange items or specific costumes.

Outdoor Lists

• Scavenger hunts are often conducted outdoors. For an outdoor hunt list include items that relate to your location. For example, if you're camping, list items found at a campground such as a tent pole or a piece of firewood. On a nature hike, include animal prints, different plants and berries, and rubbings of different items such as leaves. Outdoor scavenger hunts can also be created for urban areas as well. This is more ideal for adult participants, unless you can pair up youngsters with adults. List items found on city streets such as a subway token, landmarks, and flyers or receipts from various businesses. If you're spending a day at the beach, compile a list of objects such as shells or hide picnic items like paper plates and forks around a small area. Be sure to gather all unfound items before leaving.

Treasure Hunt Lists

• Treasure hunts are often planned ahead because instead of listing items commonly found at a location, you'll have to list clues which you'll hide for participants to find. These clues may be landmarks or areas to which participants must go to find new clues. For example, direct participants to the garage by asking where the car is parked; have the next clue waiting in the garage. At the end of a treasure hunt a prize is hidden for participants that find all of their clues.

Hobby Lists

• Scavenger hunts can be themed according to hobbies as well. For example, a reading or book club scavenger hunt list would include quotes from certain books or a book from each genre. Flower or horticulturalist clubs would include different varieties of plants and flowers and gardening tools on their lists. Those interested in computers would enjoy a list that includes various Internet sites or answers to questions that must be found using the Internet.

Alphabetical Lists

• Create a list where participants must hunt for items alphabetically. For example, if the group were hiking, plants that begin with the letters of the alphabet would make a great list. If indoors, list items likely to be found indoors such as an apron, a book, and a calendar.