How to Organize Scavenger Hunts

Choose where you're going to have the scavenger hunt. If you can, opt for a place that's outside and can offer many options, such as a local park or outdoor shopping mall.

Plan for the type of people who are going on the scavenger hunt. If you're dealing with kids, be sure to have adult chaperones for the hunt.

Create a list of items to be found on the scavenger hunt. If you're holding it at a park, include items like a coin, asymmetrical leaf, dandelion and other items that you may find at a park. If you're having a hunt at an outdoor shopping mall, have your hunters find things like a person with a certain style of shirt, someone texting on her cell phone or a food wrapper from a particular restaurant. This type of hunt may be better suited for adults, and you may ask your hunters to take pictures of the items, especially people (who your hunters can't bring back as evidence of their success).

Assign point values to each item. Easier items might be worth one point, while more specific items could be worth 10 points.

Print out the lists for the scavenger hunt, making sure you have enough copies for every person. These lists should include the items to be found, the point values of each item and what time everyone needs to be back at the meeting spot.

Separate your hunters into groups. Smaller groups of two to four people work better than larger groups.

Have your groups start out at a specific meeting spot. Hand each person a list and writing utensil to keep track of the items found. If you're doing a scavenger hunt using cameras, ask each person to bring her own camera.

Explain the rules to your hunters, and remind them when to be back at the meeting spot.

Tally the points when everyone gets back, and hand out prizes. Hand out a larger prize to the first-place team, then smaller ones to the second- and third-place teams. Be sure everyone gets a prize, especially if you're working with younger kids.