What Is a Scavenger Hunt?
Scavenger hunts are a fun way to have fun with old friends and get to know new ones. They’re an enjoyable addition to kids’ parties and great for adult gatherings as well. Many businesses use scavenger hunts as corporate team-building activities. They’re a great icebreaker for any group event!
A hunt may be themed to suit a holiday season, such as a Halloween, Easter, or Christmas scavenger hunt.
There are several different kinds of scavenger hunts. The most common, and most popular, competition is based on a list of items, usually ranging from easy to difficult to find. The scavenger hunt organizer may decide to assign the same number of points for each item (in which case savvy players will go for the easiest items first), or to give harder-to-find items higher point values.
In some scavenger hunts, there are “clues” leading to the location of specific, hidden items. Or, the clues might lead to deciphering a list before the hunt can begin. Oftentimes, the clues are in verse and rhyme.
A scavenger hunt can take place within the confines of a retail store, in a neighborhood, or span an entire town and beyond.
A treasure hunt is sometimes called a scavenger hunt, when participants are given a list of hidden items to find within a confined area such as a room in a house.
Other scavenger hunt variations include photo scavenger hunts, in which the players need only bring back a digital picture of the item or situation on the list. Also popular are Internet scavenger hunts, in which players track down things or facts using online search engines and other Web-based resources.