You’ve got to try these scavenger hunts for kids – they’re terrific! My boys are fully invested, and I get to watch on the sidelines with my hot tea. It’s that late-morning learning through play we all crave.
But this collection of scavenger hunts is even better than that. These ideas have us finding Paw Patrol Pups, nighttime treasure hunts, and even walking our neighborhoods searching for lucky finds. This is the group of scavenger hunts you are looking for. I added links and images for you to skim and scan as your preschooler begs you for one more round of memory match.
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Collection of Preschool Scavenger Hunts
I’ve collected a combination of ideas from friends that have created some really cool preschool scavenger hunts. I divided the hunts into four categories; color hunts, letters/numbers hunts, outdoor scavenger hunts, and others (really cool ideas that needed a category of their own).
Dive in, and take a look around. I know you will find some terrific scavenger hunts for your preschoolers!
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Indoor Scavenger Hunts for kids
Here you will find low-prep indoor scavenger hunts for kids. I listed the hunts by color hunts and then hunts that reinforced letters and numbers at home. Indoor activities are anything but boring! Do I also geek out over color activities for kids? I do. But why else would you have stumbled upon this corner of the web.
Color Hunt Birthday Game (Made with Happy) – grab a free printable card with color squares for this preschool scavenger hunt. Give it to your kids and watch them run around to find matching colors!
Color Words Hunt (Days with Grey) – for this preschool scavenger hunt, scribble down some colors and get your little one to discover objects in the house that match.
Rainbow Writing Scavenger Hunt (How We Learn) – draw a rainbow then have fun finding different color objects. When your child has found one, see if they can write it into the rainbow using the same color.
Treasure Map Color Hunt (Days with Grey) – a preschool scavenger hunt with treasure is always exciting! Create a
Color Counting Hunt (Days with Grey) – draw out circles with a number inside in different colors. Watch your little ones collect the right color and number of objects.
Letter Hunt Sensory Play (How We Learn) – fill a sensory tub with rice, sand, or whatever you want, and hide the letters inside!
Object Collecting Alphabet Hunt (Raising Dragons) – a great preschool scavenger hunt is using letters. Write the alphabet out on sticky notes and see if your kids can find an object that begins with each letter. Simple!
Secret Message Hunt (School Times Snippets) – what’s a preschool scavenger hunt without a little challenge? Think of a word, write a line for each letter, and place a colored dot beneath each line. See if your child can find the letter matching the color and spell the word!
Scavenger Hunts for Kids Outside
Getting outside and looking closely at nature has always been one of my favorite kid activities. You can do these hunts with one child or call in a group for a playdate.
Musical Scavenger Hunt (Days with Grey) – create a chalk circle with colors then play the music! Whatever square they stop on, they must find an object to match the color.
Bug Scavenger Hunt (Messy Little Monster) – as winter goes away, bugs come out to play! Making this a great spring scavenger hunt for preschoolers. Grab a sheet with pictures of creepy crawlies and see if they can find them around the garden!
Colors of Nature (Messy Little Monster) – A preschool fall scavenger hunt is perfect when the leaves are turning. Cut some colored cards into squares and ask your kids to find things in nature that match.
Nature Scavenger Hunt (Days with Grey) – go outside for a nature scavenger hunt for preschoolers and help your child find nature objects to collect.
Outdoor Color Hunt (Days with Grey) – get a tray with colors inside and watch your children run around finding things outdoors that are the same color.
Sound Hunt (Toddler Approved) – so great for little ears, this preschool scavenger hunt gets them listening to different sounds and learning what they are.
The Backyard and Garden Hunt (Crafts on Sea) – another great checklist preschool scavenger hunt. Write out a list of objects and see if they can find them!
Winter Scavenger Hunt and Printout (Kiddie Charts)– use these handy printouts so your little ones can discover new winter objects!
Zoo Field Trip Hunt (123 Homeschool 4 Me) – a preschool scavenger hunt in a new place is always exciting. Take a list around the zoo and see if your kids can find everything there!
More Scavenger Hunt Fun!
But that’s not all! Here are a few favorite scavenger hunts for kids that I found for holidays, seasons, and unique ideas to get the party started! (and by party, I mean kids entertained and you watching with a cold beverage)
Easter Hunt (Toddler Approved) – everyone knows this preschool scavenger hunt, right?! Hide some eggs and off they go!
Fun Games to Play on Zoom (Meaningful Mama) – have a friend or family member tell your children over Zoom what they need to find. Watch them hunt for it!
Heart Color Hunt (Toddler Approved) – this preschool scavenger hunt is super simple. Cut out colored hearts and hide them around the house. See if your little one can find them all!
Litter Picks Up Hunt (Toddler Approved) – a preschool scavenger hunt that teaches them about the environment is another level. See if they can find litter to collect.
Multi-Language (Chinese, Korean, English) Hunts (Chalk Academy) – a preschool scavenger hunt is a great way to learn and practice languages. Give your kids scavenger hunt cards in a language of your choice to help them learn.
Neighborhood Walk Scavenger Hunts (Coffee and Carpool) – make a list of things you might find on a walk around the neighborhood and watch your little ones find them!
New Year’s Eve Hunt (Toddler Approved) – a preschool scavenger hunt on New Year’s Eve makes the day even more special. Print out some New Year’s Eve cards so your kids can have fun finding them at the party!
Nighttime Treasure Scavenger Hunt (Happily Ever Mom) – what’s better than a preschool scavenger hunt? A preschool scavenger hunt in the dark! Grab a torch and see if your kids can find everything on the list!
Paw Patrol Toy Hunt (Toddler Approved) – create a list of Paw Patrol toys for this preschool scavenger hunt. Hide the toys and see if your kids can find them!
Snowman Hunt (Toddler Approved) – cut out snowman shapes and put the letters of your child’s name on each one. Once they’ve collected them, see if they can spell out their name in snowmen!
Stuffed Animal Hunt (Toddler Approved) – make a picture list of the kids’ stuffed toys and the…hide them!
Why Are Scavenger Hunts So Good for Preschoolers?
The freedom and exploration of a scavenger hunt take the skills we’d like our toddlers and preschoolers to explore and put the learning in their hands. The thrill of seeking, finding, and crossing off the list is real!
When a child learns by doing, the child remembers. Scavenger hunts are a way to help elevate learning colors, letters, numbers, and so much more. From using markers on paper to a quick and simple printout, these scavenger hunts will be ready for you in a jiffy.
This is a lot like me when I finally remember to put the grocery list in my bag, and I cross each item as it’s tossed in the cart—such a satisfying feeling.
Scavenger hunts are a fun way to create teamwork. Here is why teamwork is important for kids, along with simple preschool activities to encourage teamwork.
Scavenger Hunts Never Get Old!
A preschool scavenger hunt is so much fun yet so simple. Watch your kids run around, having the time of their lives while you get to sip a hot drink. What are you waiting for?! Get your little one hunting!
Activities on Demand
Want great ideas without the ads? Download these 20 hands-on learning games for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Think about what your child enjoys.
2. Think about what you already have around that enjoyment.
3. Make a list of what you find. Pictures help!
4. Hide objects around the house.
5. Invite your child to go on a hunt to find each item.
Scavenger hunts for kids can be done inside or outside. If you are headed outside, try this outdoor color hunt.
Simple words next to the picture, along with a box to check once the object is found.
