Bored Grandkids? This Scavenger Hunt Blueprint Turns Whining Into Wild Adventure

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I’m always looking for fun and creative things to do when my grandkids come to visit. Recently, I tried something new—a scavenger hunt around the house and yard. And guess what? They loved it!

It was so much fun watching the kids—different ages and all—work together to figure out the clues and find the prize. (I used candy and a few small items from the dollar store.)

Since I always like to share great ideas with other grandmas, I’ve included the clues I used, along with some easy tips to help you plan your own scavenger hunt with your grandkids.

How to Plan the Perfect Scavenger Hunt for Your Grandkids

Scavenger hunts are a fun way to spend time with your grandkids—and the best part is, you can make them as simple or fancy as you want! You can keep it free or spend just a little (maybe up to $10) if you want to add prizes.

You can also make the hunt fit your space and your grandkids’ interests. Here are some great places to set one up:

• Your house or backyard
• Your grandchild’s house
• A park
• A nature trail
• A beach
• A farm
• Around the neighborhood
• The library
• A museum
• The zoo
• An indoor play place

Types of Scavenger Hunts

The one I made for my grandkids used clue cards. But there are lots of fun ways to do scavenger hunts!

When my kids were younger, I made a list of things to find on road trips. For example:

• Spot six blue cars
• Find two railroad crossing signs
• Look for three billboards

You can change the list depending on where you are.

Here are other fun ideas for scavenger hunts:

• Mystery Hunt – Like a simple version of Clue, but without the scary stuff
• Geocaching – Use GPS to find hidden “treasure”
• Photo Hunt – Take pictures of special things
• Treasure Map Hunt – Follow a map to find the prize
• Five Senses Hunt – Find things you can see, hear, touch, smell, and maybe even taste

How to Set Up Your Scavenger Hunt

Getting the scavenger hunt ready might take the most time. You’ll need to think of fun clues, write or type them out, and then hide each one in the right spot.

If you plan to have a prize at the end, make sure to hide it really well. You don’t want your grandkids to find it too early while they’re looking for the other clues!

Clues for the Scavenger Hunt

Here are the clues I used for a scavenger hunt around my house! You can change them to fit your space, but I hope these give you some fun ideas.

Clue #1:
Let’s start the hunt—this will be neat!
Look for something that bounces off your feet.
It starts with a “B,” it’s round and small,
Find it fast, and you’ll have a ball!
(Hint: It’s a ball!)

Clue #2:
Great job, you found the first one!
Now look for something soft and fun.
It’s fluffy and comfy, where you rest your head,
Look for it now—it’s on a bed!
(Hint: It’s a pillow!)

Clue #3:
You’re doing great, don’t stop now,
Find something you pour in a cup—do you know how?
It flows from the faucet, clear and wet,
Find it next—it’s the best one yet!
(Hint: Water!)

Clue #4:
Just a few more, you’re on a roll,
Now find what locks a door or a hole.
It’s shiny and silver, and you use it each day,
Find it fast—it’s not far away!
(Hint: A key!)

Clue #5:
You’re doing awesome, let’s keep on track,
Find what you pour into a mug or a snack.
It’s made of ceramic, holds coffee or tea,
Look for it now—what could it be?
(Hint: A cup or mug!)

Clue #6:
You’re almost there, you’re doing fine,
Now find something brown that helps you write a line.
It’s made from wood and sharp at one end,
Look for it now—it’s your writing friend!
(Hint: A pencil!)

Clue #7:
Let’s keep it going, you’re doing well,
Find what helps when a button fell.
It’s thin and sharp and used with thread,
Find it now—it’s often in red!
(Hint: A needle!)

Clue #8:
Only two more, you’re nearly done,
Find something full of air and fun.
You blow it up and toss it high,
It floats a bit and zooms through the sky!
(Hint: A balloon!)

Clue #9:
Almost there—you’re doing great!
Find something that helps when you clean up late.
It has a long handle and bristles, too,
Find it now—it’s waiting for you!
(Hint: A broom!)

Clue #10:
You made it to the final clue,
Your prize is near—you’re almost through!
It’s shiny and bright and hidden just right,
Find your reward—it’s in plain sight!
(Hint: Wherever you’ve hidden the prize!)

Bonus: A Rhyming Word Scavenger Hunt

Here’s another fun version where kids find items based on rhyming words!

Clue #1:
Welcome to the scavenger hunt fun,
Let’s get started with clue number one!
Find something that rhymes with “sink,”
It’s where you go to get a drink.
(Hint: The sink!)

Clue #2:
Good job, you found the first clue!
Now find something that rhymes with “shoe.”
(Hint: A shoe!)

Clue #3:
You’re doing great, now take a stand,
Find something that rhymes with “hand.”
(Hint: A band or a rubber band!)

Clue #4:
You’re on a roll, don’t stop then,
Find something that rhymes with “pen.”
(Hint: A pen!)

Clue #5:
You’re halfway through, just wait and see,
Find something that rhymes with “bee.”
(Hint: A key or something you use to see—a pair of glasses!)

Clue #6:
Six clues down, now check the clock,
Find something that rhymes with “sock.”
(Hint: A clock!)

Clue #7:
You’re so close, you’re almost back,
Find something that rhymes with “hat.”
(Hint: A mat or a nap blanket!)

Clue #8:
Don’t give up, stay in the game,
Find something that rhymes with “mop.”
(Hint: A top!)

Clue #9:
Almost there, just one more trial,
Find something that rhymes with “smile.”
(Hint: A tile or a file!)

Clue #10:
You did it—you found each clue,
Now find the prize that’s waiting for you!
(Hint: Hide the prize in a fun spot!)

Conclusion

And that’s it—an easy, fun activity your grandkids will enjoy (and you will too)!

Have you ever tried a scavenger hunt with them before? How did it go? I’d love to hear about it. Let’s chat again soon!

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