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Scavenger Hunt

 

Category: Active

Venue: Outdoor (could be Indoor as a backup)

Time: 15-30 minutes (depending on the number of items to find; the more the better).

Ages: 7-10

Materials:

    Prizes (one for each guest)

    Two collection bags (reusable grocery bags with handles work well)

    Kitchen timer

    Two each of various household items such as:

  • Spoons

  • Forks

  • Pencils

  • Toothpaste tubes

  • Paper cups

  • Books

  • DVD cases

  • Measuring spoons

  • Plastic glasses

  • Small plastic storage containers

  • Etc.

    

Preparation:

Before the guests arrive, hide all the items around the yard (front and back; up and down) in difficult- to-find but not impossible spots. Hide each item separately away from each other; for example, one spoon in the front yard and the other in the back. Guests will work as two teams to find the items.

Prepare two scavenger item lists, one for each team.

Begin the activity:

Divide the guests into two teams by counting off, birthday child going first. The birthday child will be captain of his team and will choose the captain for the other team. Give each captain a collection bag and a scavenger item list. Go over the rules.

Set the timer for 15 minutes, or longer if you have many items. Say, “ready, set, go” and the game begins. You will stay at home base with the timer, and also to administer the penalty box for the runners who forget the rules. You might want another adult helper out in the field to judge any controversies.

 

Rules:

1. Stay within the boundaries of the game. 

2. Stay with your team. Walk, don’t run from place to place.

3. Those who run must return to home base and will get a one-minute penalty delay.

4. You must find the items in the order they are on the list and put them in your collection bag. If you come to an item further down the list, you should remember where it is and then come back to retrieve it when its order comes up.

5. When you have collected all the items in order, bring your collection bag back to home base for judging.

 

Winning the game:

The team wins by collecting all scavenger items before time runs out. Let the team that finishes first pick their prizes first.