As parents, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of checking something off your list. Right?! This collection of scavenger hunts for kids of all ages is sure to give your kids that same sense of fulfillment as they learn through play. My kids love exploring, moving, and feeling so satisfied with this exciting list of scavenger hunts – yours will too!
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Scavenger hunts boost hands-on learning
Learning through play is so important! With so many kinds of scavenger hunts out there, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. I’ve collected and organized some really cool preschool scavenger hunt ideas into three simple categories:
- Indoor scavenger hunts
- Outdoor scavenger hunts
- Fun must-do scavenger hunts (holiday and seasonal ideas)
Scavenger hunts are the perfect way to help elevate learning colors, letters, numbers, problem-solving skills, observation skills, and even social skills with hands-on learning! From using markers on a piece of paper to downloading a quick and simple printout, these scavenger hunts will be ready for you in a jiffy.
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Indoor scavenger hunts for kids
Indoor activities are anything but boring and are perfect for rainy days! Check out these low-prep indoor scavenger hunts for kids of any age. I’ve organized them by color activity hunts followed by letter and number hunts.
Color Hunt Birthday Game
Scavenger hunts are such a fun activity for birthday parties! Grab this free printable card with color squares and give it to your kids and watch them run around to find matching colors!
Color Words Hunt
For this preschool indoor scavenger hunt, scribble down some colors and get your little one to discover objects in the house that match.
Rainbow Writing Scavenger Hunt
Simply draw a rainbow then have fun finding corresponding colored objects. When your child has found one, see if they can write it into the rainbow using the same color. This is a great activity for older children or school-age kids who are working on their writing skills.
Treasure Map Color Hunt
A preschool scavenger hunt with treasure hunt clues is always exciting! Create a treasure map with color dots and ask your child to join them using the same color.
Color Counting Hunt
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
Fill a sensory tub with rice, sand, or whatever you want, and hide the letters inside!
Object Collecting Alphabet Hunt
Stuck inside all day? Write the alphabet out on sticky notes and see if your kids can find an object that begins with each letter. This fun rainy day activity will soak up some time as your child will work their way through the entire alphabet.
Secret Message Hunt
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!
Outdoor scavenger hunts for kids
Getting outside in the fresh air and looking closely at nature has always been one of my favorite kid activities. You can do these outdoor scavenger hunt ideas with one child or call in a group of kids for a playdate.
Musical Scavenger Hunt
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
As winter goes away, bugs come out to play! Which makes 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
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
Go outside for a nature scavenger hunt with your preschooler and help your child find nature objects to collect.
Outdoor Color Hunt
Get a tray with colors inside and watch your children run around finding things outdoors that are the same color.
Sound Hunt
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
Another great checklist-inspired preschool scavenger hunt that younger children can do right in their own backyard. Write out a list of items and see if they can find them!
Winter Scavenger Hunt and Printout
Free printable scavenger hunts make it so simple for parents! Use this handy printout for your little ones to discover new winter objects.
Zoo Field Trip Hunt
A preschool scavenger hunt in a new place is always exciting. Take a scavenger hunt list around the zoo and see if your kids can find everything there!
More scavenger hunt fun!
But wait, there’s more! Here are a few of the best scavenger hunt ideas 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
Everyone knows this preschool scavenger hunt, right?! Hide some eggs and off they go!
Fun Games to Play on Zoom
Have a friend or family member tell your children over Zoom what they need to find. Sit back and watch them hunt for it!
Heart Color Hunt
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 Pick Up Hunt
A preschool scavenger hunt that teaches them about the environment is such a wonderful learning activity and opportunity. See if they can search and find litter in your community to collect.
Multi-Language (Chinese, Korean, English) Hunts
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 gain new language skills.
Neighborhood Walk Scavenger Hunts
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
A preschool scavenger hunt on New Year’s Eve makes the day even more exciting. Print out these New Year’s Eve cards so your kids can have fun finding them at the party!
Nighttime Treasure Scavenger Hunt
What’s better than a preschool scavenger hunt? A preschool scavenger hunt in the dark! Grab a flashlight and see if your kids can find everything on the list!
Paw Patrol Toy Hunt
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
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
Make a picture list of the kids’ stuffed toys and then hide them!
Why are scavenger hunts so good for preschoolers?
Scavenger hunts not only offer so many fun learning opportunities for kids, but encourage communication, cognitive skills, and teamwork. And teamwork is important for kids!
The freedom and exploration of a scavenger hunt takes the skills we’d like our toddlers and preschoolers to explore and puts the learning in their hands. The thrill of seeking, finding, and crossing off the list is real!
This is a lot like me when I head to the grocery store and actually 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. IYKYK!
Scavenger hunts are so much fun yet so simple. They are a great activity for any age group — especially if you have both younger and older kids! Watch your kids run around, having the time of their lives while you get to sip a hot drink. What are you waiting for?! Happy hunting!
Activities on Demand
Want great ideas without the ads? Download these 20 hands-on learning games for kids.
FAQs for scavenger hunts
1. Consider what your child enjoys.
2. Think about what you already have on hand based around that enjoyment.
3. Make a list of what to find. Use pictures to help!
4. Hide different items around the house (or outside).
5. Invite your child to go on a hunt to find each item.
Scavenger hunts for younger kids can be done inside or outside. If you are headed outside, try this outdoor color hunt.
Use simple words next to a picture of the object. Don’t forget to add a little box to check off once the object is found!
