A scavenger hunt is one of the easiest activities to run with almost no setup — just a list and some hidden items. This version works indoors, outdoors, or as a trick-or-treat add-on.
1. Write out 10-15 items on a simple list (a piece of paper and a pen is all you need — no fancy printable required).
2. Hide or place items around your house, yard, or party space.
3. Give each kid (or team) a copy of the list.
4. Set a time limit, or just let them go until everything’s found.
Sample Item List
- Something orange
- A spider (real decoration or drawn one)
- Something that glows in the dark
- A pumpkin (carved, painted, or plastic)
- Something with a face
- A black cat decoration
- Something that crinkles
- A bat shape
- Something with stripes
- A candy wrapper in a specific color
Variations
- Photo scavenger hunt: kids take a photo of each item instead of collecting it — works well for older kids with a phone or a shared family camera
- Neighborhood version: for trick-or-treating, turn specific yard decorations (a skeleton, a specific pumpkin design, a spider web) into hunt items as families walk the block
- Team relay: split into teams, first team to find all items wins a small prize
Tips
- Keep the list to items you know exist in your space rather than hoping for lucky finds — walk through and confirm before handing out lists
- Mix easy and tricky items so younger and older kids both stay engaged
- A small prize for finishing (not just winning) keeps it low-pressure for younger participants
Supplies Roundup
- Halloween decoration variety pack (for hiding/staging items)
- Small prize bag fillers
- Clipboards for kids (optional, makes it feel official)
What’s on your scavenger hunt list? Share your ideas below.