Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, but it can also be a challenge for families. The kids are out of school, the days are longer, and everyone seems to have more energy.
It’s easy to get distracted by all the fun things spring has to offer – picnics in the park, bike rides with friends, trips to visit grandparents – which leaves less time for important tasks like cleaning up at home or organizing paperwork.
But there’s an easy way you can make sure this season feels fresh and energizing while still being productive: host your own scavengers hunt! A scavenger hunt is just what it sounds like – participants track down items on their list using clues that lead them from one place to another.
The first step is to create your list. Remember, this is meant to be fun so don’t go too overboard with the items. You want your participants to complete the list in a reasonable amount of time, so it should be challenging but not impossible. Think about your family’s favorite things to do together and use those as ideas.
Items could include:
- Something you see every day
- A painting or decoration that makes you smile when you look at it
- An object that makes a noise
- Your favorite stuffed animal
Once you’ve created your list, you’ll need to create clues. These should be simple statements that lead the player to another location in your home. For example:
“I’m on a shelf by the window.”
After someone finds the object, they should receive a new clue that leads them to their next item. Be creative, but try not to make too many clues overlap. You don’t want your participants wasting time looking for objects that have already been found.
To really help things run smoothly, spread your clues out in the morning when everyone is still waking up and groggy. If you’re playing with a large group of people, be sure to assign someone as an “official” who will record the clues and leads on a sheet of paper or whiteboard.
Finally, have a list of prizes that can be won by the player who finds all items in the shortest amount of time. These may inspire everyone to stay focused and hustle!
As with any scavenger hunt, if you’re hosting it indoors make sure you narrow your search field. Players will end up running from room to room otherwise, which means you’ll have a lot of disappointed kids on your hands.
If you’re playing with children under the age of ten consider items they might find interesting – for example, something in their toy box (rather than something in your own). The goal is to make it fun and collaborative, not frustrating and competitive!
Once you’ve completed your hunt, make sure to take some time to enjoy the spring weather together. There’s no need to rush inside after all that searching!