Scavenger hunts are one of those games which can be designed to incorporate many different games and techniques into one game – perhaps that is why they have become so popular in a relatively short period of time.
There is the aspect of mystery elements first and foremost – it is a hunt, and you are following clues. Riddles are one of the most obvious things to include as part of your scavenger hunt, and they can add an extra layer of fun and complexity to the game.
There is also an element of physical exercise and competition – whoever gathers all or most of the objectives in a set time frame is the winner and when the game takes place outdoors it can be tailored to fit a desired amount of physical activity.
One of the best things about scavenger hunts is the ability to tailor them to specific purposes – kids can enjoy many different types of scavenger hunts, but in this case we want to accomplish several different things – getting the kids outdoors, and making them see the world from a different perspective.
Too often kids these days seem to spend all their time on video screens, either large or small. But kids inherently love nature. Sometimes the trick is in finding ways to expose them to more of it, and to teach them more about it.
This is where Scavenger Hunts excel – not just for kids, but players of all ages. These games are perfect for teaching all sorts of things, and for familiarizing people with unfamiliar places or objects.
This is especially true for outdoor scavenger hunts, but remember – when dealing with the outdoors, safety is key. Design your scavenger hunt with safety first and foremost in mind. That means no cliff climbing!
In the past, scavenger hunts were often about getting physical objects and bringing them to the judge – these days, though, the types of objectives can be as varied as your imagination! Start with easy to identify objectives for your first outdoors scavenger hunts, and switch up the objectives.
With the prevalence of really good cameras on most phones these days, getting pictures can be an objective in itself (such as a lightning struck oak tree or a sculpture in the local park). Another objective might be a fallen leaf from a certain section of the park or woods, or a rock from an area on the trail that has certain rocks.
Another good idea is having the kids count how many bugs and butterflies they see – this will make them pay close attention to what is sharing nature with them, and may pique a growing interest in the world around us!
The objectives are simple – to learn, to be safe and to have a lot of fun. Scavenger Hunts designed for kids and teenagers can fulfill all three of those criteria! Have clearly designated areas during your hunt, and form the kids into small teams for added safety and fun. Make your clues and objectives easy to understand, even if they may not be easy to find, and have a great time!
The author has written about business, family and home and now writes for a company that organizes and implements scavenger hunts around the world!
For a great time that helps people learn communication and cooperation, the scavenger hunt can fill many roles and imporve cooperation.
