50+ Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids (Free Printables & Clues!)

Looking for fun scavenger hunt ideas for kids and families? Whether you need printable scavenger hunt clues for a birthday party, a holiday activity, or just a fun afternoon adventure, we’ve got you covered!

Scavenger hunts are one of our favorite ways to get kids moving, thinking, and working together. Over the years, we’ve created tons of free printable scavenger hunts for different themes—some with riddles and clues, others with checklists of things to find.

On this page, you’ll find a collection of our best scavenger hunts, organized by occasion and type. Whether you’re searching for holiday-themed treasure hunts, outdoor nature challenges, or indoor search-and-find games, you’ll find the perfect printable to get started.

Want to set up a scavenger hunt in minutes? Grab your free printable scavenger hunt clues below and turn any day into an exciting adventure!

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Best Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Ideas (Free Printables!)

Outdoor scavenger hunts are a great way to get kids moving, exploring nature, and having fun.

Whether you’re heading to the backyard, a local park, or on a road trip, these free printable scavenger hunts make any outing an adventure!

Everyday Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

• Neighborhood scavenger hunt printable – Get kids outside and exploring local sights with this fun printable.
• Backyard scavenger hunt printable – A simple yet exciting hunt to discover hidden treasures in your own yard.
• Garden scavenger hunt printable – Learn about plants, bugs, and flowers while playing in the garden.

Adventure-Themed Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

• Farm scavenger hunt printable – Spot farm animals, tractors, and crops while visiting a local farm.
• Zoo scavenger hunt printable – Challenge kids to find different types of animals at the zoo.
• Beach scavenger hunt printable – Perfect for summer! Hunt for seashells, sandcastles, and ocean waves.
• Camping scavenger hunt – Make your next camping trip even more exciting with this printable hunt.
• Road trip scavenger hunt – Keep kids entertained in the car by spotting fun roadside items.
• Butterfly scavenger hunt printable – Search for 12 common butterfly species while learning about nature.

Seasonal & Holiday Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

• Earth Day scavenger hunt printable – Celebrate the planet with an eco-friendly outdoor challenge.
• Tree scavenger hunt – Great for Arbor Day or any nature walk. Identify different trees around you.
• Cinco de Mayo scavenger hunt printable – Celebrate Mexican culture with a themed scavenger hunt featuring festive items like maracas, sombreros, and piñatas.
• Summer scavenger hunt printable – Soak up the sun while searching for classic summer sights like beach balls, ice cream trucks, and sunglasses!
• 4th of July scavenger hunt – Celebrate Independence Day by spotting red, white, and blue items outdoors.
• Fall scavenger hunt printable – Enjoy the crisp autumn air while searching for colorful leaves, acorns, pumpkins, and other fall treasures on this fun outdoor adventure!
• Pumpkin patch scavenger hunt printable – Make fall visits to the pumpkin patch even more fun with this printable!

Fun & Free Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Teens & Kids

A photo scavenger hunt is a great way to get older kids and teens engaged while exploring their surroundings.

Whether you’re looking for a fun holiday activity, a party game, or just a creative way to spend the day, these printable scavenger hunts challenge players to capture specific moments with their cameras.

• Valentine’s Day photo scavenger hunt – Search for love-themed items like heart-shaped objects, pink flowers, and Valentine’s decorations.
• Easter photo scavenger hunt – Capture Easter eggs, bunny decorations, and pastel-colored treats in this festive challenge.
• Halloween photo scavenger hunt – Spot and photograph spooky decorations, carved pumpkins, and creative costumes.
• Thanksgiving photo scavenger hunt – Look for autumn leaves, pumpkin pies, and Thanksgiving table settings while documenting the season.
• Christmas photo scavenger hunt – Capture the holiday spirit by snapping pictures of twinkling lights, festive ornaments, and wrapped gifts.

Download these free photo scavenger hunts and start capturing fun memories today!

Fun & Free Indoor Scavenger Hunt Printables

No need to cancel the fun when the weather keeps you inside!

These indoor scavenger hunt ideas are perfect for keeping kids entertained at home, in the classroom, or even on a field trip.

Whether they’re searching for books, historical facts, or holiday-themed objects, these printable scavenger hunts make learning and play more exciting.

• Book scavenger hunt – Turn a trip to the library or an afternoon of reading into an engaging challenge.
• Museum scavenger hunt – Perfect for field trips, this printable helps kids spot key exhibits and artifacts.
• Presidential scavenger hunt – A fun way to learn about U.S. Presidents, great for history lessons or President’s Day.
• Aquarium scavenger hunt – Keep kids engaged during a visit by spotting different sea creatures and marine life.
• ABC scavenger hunt – A playful way for younger kids to practice letter recognition and phonics.
• First day of school scavenger hunt – A great icebreaker activity for classrooms to make the first day more interactive.
• Pi Day scavenger hunt – A math-inspired challenge where kids find objects that start with “Pi.”
• Leprechaun scavenger hunt – Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by searching for lucky charms and festive symbols.
• Mother’s Day scavenger hunt – A sweet way for kids to find special surprises for Mom.
• Turkey scavenger hunt – A Thanksgiving-themed game to find hidden turkeys around the house.
• New Years Eve scavenger hunt – Keep kids entertained while waiting for the countdown with this festive activity.

Download these free indoor scavenger hunt printables and make any day more exciting!

Free Printable Scavenger Hunt Clues

Make your scavenger hunt even more exciting with clue-based riddles!

These free scavenger hunt clues add a fun twist to the classic game, leading kids from one hidden clue to the next until they reach a final surprise.

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or everyday fun, these scavenger hunts bring mystery and excitement to any occasion.

General & Themed Scavenger Hunt Clues

• Lego scavenger hunt clues – A fun year-round treasure hunt for brick lovers.
• Birthday scavenger hunt clues – Hide gifts around the house and make birthday surprises even more special.
• Basketball riddles for a scavenger hunt – Perfect for sports fans, these riddles lead to a slam dunk surprise!

Holiday Scavenger Hunt Clues

• Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt clues – Hide 12 love-themed riddles around the house for kids (or adults!) to find.
• St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt riddles – The leprechaun has left behind 12 tricky clues—can the kids solve them all?
• Easter treasure hunt clues – Let the Easter Bunny hide these rhyming riddles for an extra festive hunt.
• Garden Easter egg hunt clues – A perfect outdoor challenge for Easter celebrations.
• Star Wars treasure hunt clues – May the force guide you as you search for hidden surprises!
• Halloween treasure hunt riddles – Trick or treat? Follow these clues to uncover hidden candy!
• Halloween candy scavenger hunt clues – Hide treats around the house for a spooktacular treasure hunt.
• Thanksgiving scavenger hunt clues – Find all 12 Thanksgiving-themed riddles hidden throughout the house.
• Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt – Where did the Elf land this time? Follow the clues to find out!
• Reindeer scavenger hunt clues – Hide these clues at home or in the classroom for a festive holiday game.
• Santa scavenger hunt printable – Help the kids track down 12 missing Santas in this fun Christmas activity.
• Christmas treasure hunt clues – Make gift-giving extra exciting by leading kids through a series of riddles.

Download these free printable scavenger hunt clues and create a fun-filled adventure today

What You Need for a Fun Scavenger Hunt

Before you start, grab a few simple supplies to make your scavenger hunt even more exciting. Most of these you already have at home!

• Cardstock or regular paper – for printing the scavenger hunt clues.
• Laminator (optional) – great for reusable clue-based hunts.
• Storage clipboard – handy for outdoor scavenger hunts or road trip games.
• Small prizes – a fun reward for the winner or completion of the hunt.

Once you have your supplies ready, it’s time to choose your scavenger hunt and start the adventure!

Best Prizes & Gifts for Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are exciting on their own, but a small prize at the end can make the experience even more special!

While a simple treat or candy is often enough, you might want to add a themed surprise—especially for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.

• On the Nature Trail Book – A great choice for kids aged 4-8 who love exploring the outdoors.
• Toddler scavenger hunt cards – Keep the fun going with interactive search-and-find cards for younger kids.
• Pirate treasure dig – Perfect for treasure hunt-style scavenger games, letting kids dig for their own prize.

Whether you choose a book, an activity, or a simple treat, the real reward is the adventure itself!

Escape Room Ideas & Printables for Older Kids

If your older kids love puzzles and problem-solving, an escape room challenge is a great way to keep them engaged!

These escape room puzzle ideas are perfect for holidays and special occasions, offering a fun mix of logic, clues, and teamwork.

• Easter escape room printables for kids – A holiday-themed challenge filled with creative puzzles and clues.
• Halloween escape room printables for children – A spooky, brain-teasing adventure for kids who love mysteries.
• Thanksgiving escape room ideas for at home – Set up an at-home escape challenge to entertain family and friends.
• Christmas escape room printables for the family – A festive escape game designed for family fun.

Last Updated on 20 February 2025 by Clare Brown