Photo courtesy of Melissa Hillier
Having a scavenger hunt is a good way to get kids away from the television or video games and playing outside. Kids can team up to hunt down the items or war against each other in a battle royal. To organize a scavenger hunt, all you need are papers, pencils and things to look for.
Pirate Scavenger Hunt
This scavenger hunt is a good choice if your kids love pirate games. Gather up some loose change for the pirate “treasure” and hide it throughout a designated area, like your backyard. Give each child a list of the coins they must find. For example, each child may need to find five pennies, two quarters, three dimes and a nickel to complete the scavenger hunt. At the end of the game, the winner gets to keep the “booty.”
Nature Scavenger Hunt
To teach kids about nature, have a nature scavenger hunt. Write down a list of natural items that can be found in your backyard and their descriptions on a piece of paper for each child. Have the children search out the items and mark them of their lists.
To make the hunt harder, be more specific with the items on your list. For example, on a first grader’s list you may only have vague items such as two leafs, one rock, three twigs, but on an older child’s list, you can be more specific to make the hunt harder. Some specific list items would be oak leaves, limestone rock, twig from a pine tree, etc.
"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //-->
Hunt for Information Scavenger Hunt
If you live in a large neighborhood, take a walk with the kids and do an “Information Scavenger Hunt.” Give the kids a list of words or letters to look for as they walk around and have them check the items off their list as they find them. The letters or words could be found on license plates, signs, mail boxes, trash cans and building numbers.
Beach Scavenger Hunt
If you live near the beach, try a beach-themed scavenger hunt. Write down a list of beach items for the children to find such as shells, pebbles, sand, seaweed and starfish. Have each child gather his items in a sand pail to make the items easier to carry.
Secret Item Scavenger Hunt
This scavenger hunt requires only one item, so it is really easy to organize. Have one of the children choose a favorite toy to use as the “treasure.” Hide the toy somewhere in the yard and have the children find it. The child that finds the toy gets to hide it next. This is a good scavenger hunt game if you want the children occupied for a long time since it really doesn’t have an end.
Using these scavenger hunt ideas, you will be able to keep your kids outside and happy for hours on weekends, after school, during birthday parties or any time they need some fresh air and sunshine.
