Disclaimer: Devoted Grandma is reader-supported. If you purchase anything through my site, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thank you.
I am always trying to dream up unique activities for when my grandkids visit, and recently I tried a scavenger hunt around my house and yard. Guess what? They loved it!
It was so fun to watch the kids – all different ages – work together to solve the clues and find the prize (candy and a few odds and ends from the dollar store).
Since I love to share a good thing with you, my fellow Devoted Grandmas, here are the clues I used, plus a few more tips and tricks for planning the perfect scavenger hunt for your grandkids.
How to plan the perfect scavenger hunt for your grandkids
The best part about hosting a scavenger hunt for the grands is that it can be as low-key or elaborate as you want it to be, with a price point to match (free to maybe $10, depending on if you get special prizes). You can customize it to your location and include some of the participant’s likes or interests. A few places where you can set up a scavenger hunt include:
- Your home/backyard
- Your grandchild’s home
- Park
- Nature trail/area
- A beach
- A farm
- Around the neighborhood
- The library
- Museum
- Zoo
- An indoor play place
Different kinds of scavenger hunts
The scavenger hunt I put together for my grandkids was done with hints on cards, but there are other ways to do it!
When my kids were young, I used to make a long list of things they needed to find (I.e., on a road trip, they were prompted to find five red cars, three railroad crossing signs, two billboards, and so on), which was easy to customize based on our location and circumstance. Other kinds of scavenger hunts include:
- Mystery scavenger hunt (like a real-life game of Clue, but without the murder)
- Geocaching (using GPS points to find a treasure)
- Photo scavenger hunt (taking pictures of specific items)
- Treasure hunt with a map
- Five senses hunt (where participants must touch, smell, hear, taste, and see certain things)
How to set up your scavenger hunt
Setting up the scavenger hunt for your grandkids may be the most time-consuming part, as you have to come up with the clues, write or type them, and then hide them in the appropriate spot. If you add a prize at the end, ensure it is well hidden, so it isn’t accidentally spotted while your grands run around looking for other clues!
Clues for the scavenger hunt
Here are the clues I used for the scavenger hunt around my house! You will want to customize them to your location, but I hope these inspire you!
Clue #1: The first clue is easy, you’ll see, Look for something that starts with the letter “B”. It’s round and bounces when it hits the ground, Find it now, don’t make a sound!
Clue #2: You found the first one, good job! Now it’s time to search for something that’s soft. It’s fluffy and comfy, and you’ll find it on a bed, Look for it now, and you’ll move ahead!
Clue #3: You’re doing great, let’s keep it up! Now search for something that you can fill a cup. It’s something that comes out of a faucet, Find it quick, don’t get lost in thought!
Clue #4: You’re getting closer, just a few more, Now search for something that’s used to lock a door. It’s shiny and silver, and you use it every day, Find it now, before it gets away!
Clue #5: You’re doing awesome, keep it up! Now search for something that you use to pour a cup. It’s made of ceramic, and you use it for tea, Find it now, and you’ll move on to three!
Clue #6: You’re almost there, don’t give up now! Search for something that’s soft and brown. It’s made from trees, and you use it to write, Find it now, and you’ll be right!
Clue #7: You’re doing great, let’s keep it going! Search for something that’s used for sewing. It’s long and thin, and you use it with thread, Find it now, and you’ll be ahead!
Clue #8: You’re so close, just two more to go! Search for something that you use to blow. It’s filled with air, and you use it for fun, Find it now, and you’ll be done!
Clue #9: You’re doing amazing, keep it up! Search for something that you use to clean up. It’s long, and you use it to sweep, Find it now, and you’ll be on the final leap!
Clue #10: You made it, you found them all! Your prize is waiting, so stand tall! Now search for something that’s shiny and bright, Your prize is there, in plain sight!
Fun and somewhat easy, right? While I was writing this, I thought of another kind of scavenger hunt – one that calls for rhyming words! Here is another ten-clue example:
Clue #1: Welcome to the scavenger hunt fun, Let’s start with clue number one! Look for something that rhymes with “sink”, It’s where you go to get a drink.
Clue #2: Good job, you found the first hint! Now let’s see if you can mint a new discovery with this clue: Find something that rhymes with “shoe”.
Clue #3: Three clues down, seven to go, Are you ready for the next show? Search high and low, don’t just stand, Find something that rhymes with “hand”.
Clue #4: Wow, you’re doing great so far, Now it’s time to find something with a bar. Look for something that rhymes with “pen”, It’s where you write with ink, again and again.
Clue #5: Halfway there, don’t give up yet, This scavenger hunt is a sure bet! Find something that rhymes with “bee”, It’s something that can help you see.
Clue #6: Six clues down, four to go, Let’s keep up the scavenger hunt show. Search for something that rhymes with “sock”, It’s something you use to wind a clock.
Clue #7: You’re doing great, just a few more, Keep searching like never before. Look for something that rhymes with “hat”, It’s something that’s soft and can help you nap.
Clue #8: You’re almost there, don’t lose hope, Keep searching with a telescope. Find something that rhymes with “mop”, It’s something you use to help you cope.
Clue #9: Nine clues found, only one to go, Are you ready for the final show? Look for something that rhymes with “smile”, It’s something you wear for a while.
Clue #10: Congratulations, you’ve found them all, You answered the scavenger hunt’s call! Now find your prize, it’s waiting for you, You did great, and that’s absolutely true!
Conclusion
There you have it: An easy and fun activity that both you and your grandkids will love! Have you done a scavenger hunt for them before? How did you do? Please let me know – and let’s talk again soon!
