In this article, we’ll explore 20 backyard scavenger hunt ideas that are sure to keep everyone entertained and engaged. Whether you’re planning a party, a family gathering, or just a fun afternoon with friends, these outdoor scavenger hunt ideas are sure to inspire your next backyard adventure.
Backyard scavenger hunts are a fun and engaging way to get children, families, or even adults to spend time outdoors and explore their surroundings. These fun backyard scavenger hunt can be tailored to suit a wide range of interests and skill levels, and they can be as simple or as complex as you like. From searching for natural treasures to solving puzzles and riddles, there are countless ways to create an exciting and memorable backyard scavenger hunt.
20 Backyard Scavenger Hunt Ideas
- Nature scavenger hunt: Create a list of natural items found in your backyard such as leaves, rocks, flowers, and insects, and have participants find and collect them.
- Alphabet hunt: Create a list of items that start with each letter of the alphabet and have participants find something in the backyard that matches each letter.
- Color hunt: Assign each participant a color and have them find and collect as many items in that color as possible within a time limit.
- Sensory hunt: Create a list of sensory items such as something soft, something rough, something smooth, something smelly, and something noisy, and have participants find and identify each item.
- Treasure hunt: Create a map with clues leading to a hidden treasure in the backyard.
- Photo scavenger hunt: Give participants a list of items to find and take a photo of in the backyard.
- Animal hunt: Create a list of animals that could be found in the backyard and have participants identify and document each one.
- Flower hunt: Create a list of different types of flowers and have participants find and identify them.
- Scavenger hunt relay: Divide participants into teams and have them compete to find and collect items on a list the fastest.
- Bug hunt: Create a list of different bugs found in the backyard and have participants identify and document each one.
- Garden scavenger hunt: Create a list of items typically found in a garden, such as a watering can, gloves, and a shovel, and have participants find and collect them.
- Backyard photo challenge: Give participants a list of backyard features and have them take creative photos of each item.
- Backyard obstacle course: Set up an obstacle course in the backyard and have participants complete each challenge.
- Backyard art hunt: Hide pieces of art around the backyard and have participants find and collect them.
- Backyard puzzle hunt: There are free printable scavenger hunts you can use on this. Create a puzzle that leads to the location of a hidden treasure or item in the backyard.
- Backyard scavenger hunt bingo: Create bingo cards with items found in the backyard and have participants find and mark off each item.
- Backyard food scavenger hunt: Create a list of edible items found in the backyard, such as berries and herbs, and have participants find and taste them.
- Backyard science scavenger hunt: Create a list of science-related items found in the backyard, such as soil, seeds, and insects, and have participants find and document them.
- Backyard sports scavenger hunt: Create a list of sports-related items found in the backyard, such as a basketball hoop and a frisbee, and have participants find and play with them.
- Backyard outdoor scavenger hunts: Create a list of camping-related items found in the backyard, such as a tent and a campfire, and have participants find and set them up.
How Do You Give Clues to a Scavenger Hunt?
Giving scavenger hunt clues is an essential part of scavenger hunts for kids, as it helps participants locate and identify the items they are searching for. Here are some tips on how to give clues for a scavenger hunt:
- Use outdoor scavenger hunt riddles: Create riddles or puzzles that lead participants to the location of the item. For example, “I am tall and green, and you can find me near a fence. What am I?”
- Use visual clues: You can use printable backyard scavenger hunt. Provide participants with a picture or drawing that gives them a hint about where the item is located. For example, a picture of a tree may lead participants to look for the item near a tree.
- Use written clues: Provide written clues that describe the location of the item. For example, “Look under the rock next to the birdbath.” There are yard scavenger hunt printable available online.
- Use a map: Create a map that shows the location of each item, along with clues that help participants navigate to each location.
- Use technology: Create a digital scavenger hunt using a smartphone app or website that provides clues and hints about the location of each item.
When giving clues, be sure to make them challenging but not too difficult. You want participants to have fun and feel a sense of accomplishment when they find each item. It’s also important to consider the age and skill level of the participants, and to provide hints or assistance if necessary.
