Tips to Hide Scavenger Hunt Clues
This game comes packed with almost 5000 Scavenger Hunt Clues ages 3 to adult!
Click Here for Scavenger Hunt Clues!
If you’re anything like me, you love a good scavenger hunt, and you enjoy entertaining your kids (and yourself!).
One issue my friends and I have come across is running out of creative ways to hide clues. A lot of us – I’m one of them – have a certain creative wall that we hit when it comes to the hunts, and our children expect us to be fun and creative EVERY time, not just in the beginning.
Some of the things we’ve come up with regarding hiding the clues is to hide them in strange, uncommon places. A typical place would be outside next to a tree, for example. Once we’ve done that, we can’t do it again…so how about scraping some bark off the tree, putting the clue behind it, and gluing the bark back on?? They’ll never expect it.
Another thing we’ve done is hide the clue in the refrigerator. Easy, right? What about the next time? Well, take a small plastic sandwich bag and actually hide the clue INSIDE the food (pickle jar, ketchup bottle, etc.). It sounds crazy and more than a little messy, but your kids will appreciate the nuttiness of it!
I have one final tip for you today. We’ve all hidden clues inside the dryer, right? Well, how about hiding it inside the lint catcher? Just think: this will give your children practice at actually paying attention to the lint filter, so once they’re teenagers, they REMEMBER that it’s THERE and you won’t have to constantly remind them to empty it!
Have fun!
Christmas Scavenger Hunts Idea
It’s going to be Christmas soon, believe it or not. As we get older, doesn’t it seem like the years go by quicker and quicker? Well, as parents, it’s sort of our job to make Christmastime entertaining to our precious little children. How do we do that? Many, many ways, of course. But in my house, we love a good scavenger hunt! And there are ways to make them Christmas-specific.
Hiding the clues is one of the most important parts of the Christmas scavenger hunt. And there are plenty of fun places to hide them during this time. You can hide them in the stockings, inside cards, inside wrapped presents, etc.
One thing we did last year that I feel was a major success was giving some clues to our neighbors, especially those who didn’t have much. The kids would then have to go over to the old lady down the block’s house to get it. Her kids were all living in other parts of the country, and she was alone on Christmas. So once they were there, they got the opportunity to talk a while with her. Not only did it relieve some of her boredom and loneliness, but my children learned a little from her.
The other thing we did that I feel good about is creating clues that require action. They were deep into a week-long scavenger hunt, and one of the clues required my children to donate a dollar to a foundation in order to get the next one. Was that fun for them? Probably not…but it teaches a good lesson about the spirit of Christmas and giving, while continuing a game that they do enjoy.
Kids Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Take the Scavenger Hunt inside with this amazing indoor search board game.
Can you find a tape measure, an ugly shirt, and something that begins with the letter C - all somewhere inside of your house?
In each round, 6 cards are shown with objects to be found around the house. The timer is turned over, and each player has 2 minutes to find everything. When the time is up, players show what they’ve found, and move their pawns ahead 1 space for each object found. The first player to reach the “You Win” space, wins the game. Parents concerned about a messy house needn’t worry - after the 4th Round is the Captain Cleanup round. The players race to return all the items to where they were found, and then when finished they can spin the spinner for a chance to move ahead. It’s the classic game of search and find - but this time, the fun’s inside! For 2 - 4 Players, Ages 6 and Up.[1]
Click Here to purchase this game from Amazon.
Around my home, we’re always looking for new, exciting things to do; things that don’t involve renting a movie, playing a video game, or watching cartoons. Thankfully, there actually still are activities that don’t center around the big box in our living rooms. And for the record, it’s not that I don’t also enjoy those things, but limitations and boundaries are a good thing when it comes to television.
One thing we like to do is to have scavenger hunts. I’d say we do this two or three times a week, depending on the season; if it’s winter, you won’t catch me outside much. That’s what our kids’ friends are for! Yes, once in a while there’s a snowman or fort to be built with them, a day of sledding, etc., but summertime is when it really gets fun outside.
Scavenger hunts are not that difficult to set up, really. Start with something minor like just hiding a couple toys – preferably new ones – and write a couple clues for your child. Pretend that it wasn’t you who did it; that a good pirate came in the middle of the night and created a series of clues for you to follow. Go on the hunt with him/her and act like you’re really into it! I’ve found that once I start TRYING to enjoy something with my daughter, little by little I start ACTUALLY enjoying it. Once you get there, more and more ideas for bigger and better scavenger and treasure hunts will pop into your head, and before you know it, you have yourself a little family tradition!
How to Make Scavenger Hunt Riddles
So you’re ready to throw a great scavenger hunt. Now all you need are the clues/riddles. Great, let’s get started.
Coming up with the riddles can be the toughest part. Yes, there’s the planning, there’s getting all the kids together, and sometimes making snacks, but what the hunt will be remembered for will be the riddles.
I have a certain way that I go about coming up with fun clues. First, I think of the place where I want to hide the next clue. For this example, let’s assume I want the clue to be up in a tree; the big tree in the front yard (it’s climbable). Then I focus on the riddle: what can I say on the clue card that will point the kids to this particular tree? Is there a memory associated with this tree? Let’s assume there’s a tire swing on it, and we’ll go from there. I could say “above tire swing”, but that’s too easy and not really a “riddle”. So instead I choose to use riddle-form and say something from the tire’s point of view: “I don’t really belong here. I’m looking up at a clue, but something tells me I’m supposed to be looking at brake pads.”
You know, things like that. Maybe that one’s too hard or maybe it’s too easy, but you get the idea. Depending on the age of the “hunters”, they usually get a kick out of clues like that, even if they’re a little cheesy.
Outdoor Scavenger Hunts
Click Here to Create Custom Scavenger Hunt Prints!
I think that scavenger hunts were just meant to be played outside. Not to worry, inside people or rainly climate-dwellers: you can still surely have a blast inside. But there just seems to be much more opportunity for fun and creativity outside the walls of our homes.
Imagine yourself living in a climate that is not conducive to having a perfect lawn. You know what I’m talking about: you have patches of dead grass everywhere and pits and holes. And you haven’t been able to water your grass because there is a water ban in effect. Not fun, I know: we give up some things to live in our perfect weather.
Anyway, not to fret: take advantage of our sad lawns and use them for fun. One great way is to host a treasure hunt where the kids actually have to DIG UP all the clues, like “real” pirates! Give them a map that you’ve drawn yourself, and draw it to scale. Seriously, draw it to scale as best you can or you’re going to have a holey lawn surrounded by a patch or two of grass. Use red “X”s just like we’ve all seen in the movies. Your kids will love it. Note: keep the clues near the surface, as there’s just no need to make the kids dig four or five feet underground. O.K.? Really. Seems a little much.
If you have a dog with a good nose, do a little experiment: Take one or two of his favorite bones that still have meat on them, and see if he can find them. Do dogs remember where they hid their bones based on memory or based on scent? Find out!
Indoor Scavenger Hunts
So it’s raining outside on a summer day, and the kids are all at home. What to do? Answer: Have an indoor scavenger hunt.
You don’t need a huge house to pull this off, either. There are plenty of very small spaces that you can hide clues: in a book, in the bed sheets, in shelves, etc. Of course, the more space the better, but don’t think you can’t have fun just because you don’t live in a mansion.
Start off as usual by secretly going around the house and adding clues. Don’t let the kids see you or let them know what you’re doing, of course. The more clues the better, as we want to keep them entertained as long as they want to have fun with this.
If you have a couple older kids who want to get involved (let’s say 12 to 13-year-old girls), here’s a fun idea: hide some of the clues in the “scary” basement. There’s a chance they’ll be brave enough to go in the spider area. And if they’re not, your younger son(s) may just save the day by not caring about the spider webs. And they’ll feel heroic by doing it!
Another neat angle on this - and a way to show your kids that you actually do pay attention to their lives – can be to hide a clue or two in their favorite book. The ultimate thing would be if they’ve read a book of yours that they love – that you’ve already read – and to pencil in a clue at a certain part of the story. All they have to do is remember when a certain character did something, open the page, and there’s the clue! (And you can easily erase the clue later.)
Of course, there are a zillion other creative ways to make an indoor scavenger hunt interesting, and that’s up to you!
Scavenger Hunt Party
Last year, instead of the traditional birthday party for my daughter, we held a massive scavenger hunt. I’ll tell you a little how ours went and try to offer some more suggestions for you:
Everybody came and gathered around, talking, eating, and playing video games. I stepped outside for a minute and used my cell phone to call my daughter (she was still in the house). I told her to look in the refrigerator and then hung up. She’s ten years old, so she’s old enough to understand when something fun is up, and she played along famously.
The first clue – in the refrigerator, obviously – pointed to a destination outside, where a few parents and I were already waiting with smiles on our faces; most of the kids had never taken part in a scavenger hunt, so they were very excited and didn’t really know what was happening yet.
As more and more clues were discovered, their excitement grew and they were now running from clue to clue, laughing and squealing as little girls and boys tend to do. Some were hidden in trees, some were inside the house in drawers and cupboards, and some were even buried in the garden!
My daughter’s friends still talk about that scavenger hunt party, and we already have another one planned for her next birthday. I think it really was a hit with them, and it was nice to do something somewhat “original” rather than the typical birthday party!
Now: time to start thinking of something REALLY creative for next year…
Welcome
Welcome to ScavengerHuntClues.org.
If you’re anything like us, you appreciate the exhilaration of a good scavenger hunt, complete with excellent clues, wrong turns, and a final treasure. So thanks for taking the time to check us out; we’re working hard to provide you with a collection of scavenger hunt clues, resources, ideas, games, and more. Share your ideas and stories with us; we can’t wait to hear from you!
To break the ice, I’m going to get right into a story sent to us by a friend:
Scavenger Hunt Clues
When I think of scavenger hunts, I think of the “old school” ones that you just don’t see much of anymore. Anyone remember when a neighborhood boy or girl would come to your door – usually a little out of breath – and ask you for a cup of flour? And boy, did they need it in a hurry! You see, winning a scavenger hunt in our neighborhood was a pretty big deal. And even today – if done well – I believe scavenger hunts can be a wonderful tool for getting to know your neighbors and educating your children. And most importantly, FUN!
I’d like to share what I feel have been a couple fantastic clues over the years.
Pictures: Ask the kids to get a snapshot of someone dressed in World War II garb. World War II is all but forgotten in many circles. All politics aside, it was a major event in our history – in the world’s history – so why not teach something here? It could stimulate great conversation with the children, and who knows: maybe the little old lady who feels alone and isolated will get a visitor today?
Cassette tapes/8-tracks: We all remember these. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that record companies still produced cassettes. But how many six-year-olds have a “clue” what they are? All they need to do is track down ONE. And I’ll bet it’s harder than some of us may think. Again, there’s some good conversation to be had about these, a learning experience for the kids, and it gives us a chance to reminisce a little.
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading.
So there you have the first in what is to be many stories regarding scavenger hunts, their clues, and great ideas. Thanks for visiting, and we hope to see you back in our community soon!