Scavenger Hunt: What It Is and How to Make Your Own

scavenger hunt

As the sunny weather settles in, the want to be outside grows stronger. Plus, with mask mandates lifting there’s more opportunity to interact with our friends and meet new people. What better way to celebrate this than with a scavenger hunt! In today’s blog, we’ll explain exactly what that is and how you can create your own!

What is a Scavenger Hunt?

A Scavenger Hunt is a game with a list defining specific items. Seeking to gather or complete these items, group of participants go out into the world to find them. The first team to complete the list are the winers. 

Evolving from ancient folk games, scavenger hunts were popularised in 1930s New York. Exclusive parties were held where guests had to find hard-to-come-by items. 

A Typical List

Check out what typical scavenger hunt looks like!

Pandemic Item Hunt

Types of Hunts

Scavenger Hunts come in all shapes and sizes. These are but a few!

How to Make Your Own

Follow these steps for making your own Scavenger Hunt!

  1. Plan Your Route. Decide whether the only thing can be completed on foot. Or if the use of public transport/ a car will be needed. Make sure all participants will be able to take part. 
  2. Scout Out Locations. Find interesting local landmarks to hide clues or to be the collectible items. Decide whether participants need to pick up clues/items. Or, whether they should document the spotting with a photograph. 
  3. If you leave clues, put them in numbered envelopes. Taking the form of riddles, scrambled up letters, and puzzles, these give the participants guidance on where to go next.
  4. Give Yourself Time to Plan. Work out where the end point of the hunt is and plan backwards. Consider any possible issues you may run into. 
  5. Make Sure Your Locations Are Publicly Accessible. Ensure that participants aren’t wondering onto private property or photographing items they don’t have permission to.
  6. Set It Up. Make sure you have enough time to place any clues in their locations. Remember to write them down elsewhere in case they get lost/misplaced. 
  7. Prepare for Bad Weather. Have a back-up plan in case it rains or a location is closed. 
  8. Establish Ground Rules. At the beginning of the hunt, make it clear what the rules are. 
  9. Be at the End to Greet the Winners. Congratulate the players on a great hunt!

About the Author

Lydia B.

Lydia B.

Lydia B. is a Marketing Coordinator and Music Club Coach for Gooroo, a tutoring membership that matches students to tutors perfect for them based on their unique learning needs. Gooroo offers Math, English, SAT, Coding, Spanish tutoring, and more.