# Scavenger Hunts for Kids

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/family/kids/scavenger-hunts-for-kids/
- Published: 2015-12-11T10:00:06+11:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

## _Looking for a fun way to entertain your little ones for an afternoon? Why not plan a scavenger hunt? _

Finding activities to keep the kids busy is not always easy, especially when they
reach a certain age. Making up a scavenger hunt is great for their bodies and their
minds. They can explore the world around them, get some exercise, practice their
hunting skills and achieve a sense of accomplishment. If you feel like you and your
kids are stuck on fun activities and sliding closer and closer to that dreaded indoor
rut, then it’s time to get out there and hunt!

### **Fun Scavenger Hunt Games**

You can really make a scavenger hunt with anything. Younger children will probably
be happiest to look for items that are small yet easy to identify which is why Easter
egg hunts are quite successful for little ones. However, you don’t have to simply
hide Easter eggs you can hide other items too toy cars; marbles; stuffed animals.
This will give toddlers a sense of thrill and excitement, even if they are too young
to properly understand the concept of a scavenger hunt.

[⌊Scavenger hunts for kids | stay at home mum⌉⌊Scavenger hunts for kids | stay at
home mum⌉[

Once your child is able to understand what a scavenger hunt is and is able to read
clues, then you can choose from some of these tried and loved scavenger hunt games:

 * The Great Nature Hunt ready to explore the world around you? Choose items that
   you can find in the park, in the beach or in your backyard such as flowers, rocks,
   sticks and plants. You can make it more advanced with word association clues,
   such as “Find something that belongs to a bird” (a nest or a feather) or “Find
   something that comes from the sea” (a sea shell or piece of kelp).

 * Magazine Hunting scavenger hunts can also be performed indoors. All you need 
   are a few old magazines, some child safe scissors, a poster board and some glue.
   Take a few moments to look through the magazines in search for items that would
   interest your children and that they would be able to identify. Write up a list
   of items for your children to ‘seek out’ in the magazines, such as a fishing 
   boat (from Dad’s fishing magazine), a robot and bicycle (from the Toys R Us catalogue)
   and a big purple yoga ball (from your Women’s Health magazine).Then, help them
   cut out these items and glue them to the poster board.

 * The ABC’s of Hunting make a scavenger hunt where you child has to find something
   that belongs to every letter of the alphabet. This is a great game to play while
   on a family picnic as your kids can run around searching while you and your husband
   enjoy some quiet time.

 * Photo Scavenger Hunts another great option for any scavenger hunt is to give 
   your child a camera and ask them to take a photo of each item they find. This
   is especially good if some of the items on the list are simply too big or too
   dangerous to carry back to you.

### **The Thrill of the Hunt**

One important thing to remember when it comes to scavenger hunts is that it can 
be quite easy for kids to get overwhelmed and frustrated, especially if the clues
are too hard or if they are not having any success finding the items. Offer your
assistance anytime they need it and try to choose clues and games that work with
their ability. With practice, they will get better and you can enjoy more advanced
versions of the versatile scavenger hunt.

#### Here are some Free Scavenger Hunt Printables from Around the Net:

[⌊Scavenger hunt printables | stay at home mum⌉⌊Scavenger hunt printables | stay
at home mum⌉[

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)

 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)