This morning I went for a walk. Since tomorrow is Mother’s Day, I keep thinking, how can I help moms tomorrow have one less thing to be responsible for? And then it hit me! Kids love scavenger hunts and also Breakfast Invitations to play. What if we combine the two to move our preschoolers towards more responsibility as we sip coffee in bed? (They call it manifesting, LOL) Here are two FREE printable scavenger hunts for preschoolers. And yes, one may even help avoid asking your child to brush their teeth 72 times.
RELATED: Scavenger hunts are an easy win and a great way to get kids moving.
Why checklists (and hunts) help kids
Saying I am a big fan of checklists is an understatement. They help children better understand how to prepare for school days, what toys must be picked up, and even what to pack for a family vacation. If there is a piece of scratch paper, I will probably add a checklist to it for my boys.
In this case, we made the checklist a morning routine scavenger hunt. Brilliant, right? Turning a checklist into a hunt offers more flexibility and freedom.
Print these Scavenger Hunts
Printable Scavenger Hunts
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How to use the morning routine scavenger hunt
- Print the morning routine scavenger hunt.
- Show your preschooler the scavenger hunt.
- Talk about each picture.
- Ask your child to pick the first one they would like to find.
- When your child returns with items, invite them to check them off!
- Your child may also want to color in the picture once the morning routine is complete. That works too! Have crayons on the table, just in case.
PRO TIP: Your preschooler does not have to go in any particular order. Let them take the lead. Remember, the goal is completion and more independence. They may have their own way of getting there.
How to use the toy hunt
Sometimes we need a simple hunt to help pass the day. I wanted to include a second scavenger hunt for you to have when you can use a little break. This scavenger hunt has your child hunting for toys around the house.
- Print the indoor toy scavenger hunt.
- Show your preschooler the scavenger hunt.
- Talk about each picture.
- Ask your child to pick the first toy they would like to find.
- When your child returns with items, invite them to check them off!
- Your child may also want to color in the picture once the toy is found. That works too! Have crayons on the table, just in case!
PRO TIP: Some kids love a clipboard! If this sounds like your child, offer the board for them to walk around with as they find the items.
Why scavenger hunts for kids are brilliant
We all know that kids like to take the lead. Scavenger hunts (especially ones like this that get a job done) help everyone win. Less nagging from us, and promotes independence for them.
Other scavenger hunts, such as nature sticky boards, preschool color word hunts, and this treasure map color hunt, find ways to get everyone moving without jumping on the couch.
RELATED: Kids need to move. It is how they learn! Here are 25 gross motor activities for kids that will redirect the energy into something productive for all of us.
More simple scavenger hunts
I have a few favorite scavenger hunts you will enjoy with your child! This is a list of ideas that I have had a lot of fun with my family over the years.
- Outdoor musical hunt for kids
- Preschool count and color
- Primary color hunt
- Toddler outdoor color hunt
Who has time to search for ideas?
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FAQ
The printable scavenger hunts are black and white for easy printing. Open the download, save, and print!
Toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids all enjoy printable scavenger hunts!
Use Canva to help you create a scavenger hunt for your child. It is simple to use and has many fonts, images, and colors to choose from.