Simple Halloween Scavenger Hunts for Kids
Creative Party Games and Activities for Both Inside and Outside
Oct 21, 2008
With a little preparation and planning, a Halloween scavenger hunt is a great activity to do at a Halloween party because it can be adapted to any age group and location. The only things needed to pull together a scavenger hunt activity are the list of things to look for, a pen for recording, a bag to collect items and for older kids, increase the challenge of a scavenger hunt by letting them use a digital camera.
Halloween Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt
Perfect for preschool aged children, an Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt is done outside as a group with one person recording all the sightings. Begin with the following list:
- Black cats
- Witches
- Monsters
- Jack-o-lanterns
- Ghosts
- Scarecrows
- Skeletons
- Broomsticks
- Bats
Add more Halloween theme items to the list and for an extra challenge, record the number of times a particular item is spotted.
Orange and Black Scavenger Hunt
Best done inside the house, an orange and black scavenger hunt can make for some interesting collections. The kids need to find two of each of the following items, one black and one orange.
- A food item
- An article of clothing
- Something used to attach things (tape, yarn, shoe lace)
- Something music related
- Something that came from outside
- A toy
- A photograph or art work
- Something that feels soft
- Something used to write or draw
- A Halloween object
Another variation of this scavenger hunt is to tell the children to collect 10 black items and 10 orange things on their own to see how creative their collections become.
Spooky Scavenger Hunt
A great scavenger hunt to do with older kids just as the sun is setting, collect or photograph the following things in the yard or park.
Things that look like:
- a spider
- a spider web
- an eyeball
- a crooked finger
- werewolf fur
- an ingredient for witch’s brew
- bird’s claws
Things that sound like:
- bones cracking
- the wind
- a ghost
- a screech
- a hammer
- nails scratching
- rain drops
The scavenger hunt site could be set up ahead of time to ensure that there are enough items for each team and also appropriate displays for photographing.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt Bingo
Make up a few versions of the bingo card to distribute to a group of children while on a walk outside. Use the word “GHOST” instead of BINGO to keep with the Halloween theme and have prizes for the children who are able to cross off five things in a row on their cards first. As the children see or experience each of the following things, have them cross it off their card.
- Witch
- Pumpkin
- Jack-o-lantern
- Black cat
- Skeleton
- Spooky eyes
- Bats
- Someone in costume
- Ghost
- Monster
- Scarecrow
- Spider web
- Broomstick
- Happy Halloween sign
- Tombstones
- Orange lights
- Halloween music
- Spooky sounds
- Halloween candy
- Vampire
- Moon
- Candles
- Glow-in-the-dark decorations
- Someone wearing orange and black
- Halloween treat bag
This version of BINGO works well if the kids cross the things off they see both inside and outside throughout the Halloween party.
Whether it is a Halloween version of Eye Spy or a spooky scavenger hunt using a camera at dusk, Halloween scavenger hunts are economical, creative and fun activities that work for kids of all ages. For more Halloween party ideas read Halloween Games for Preschoolers and Toddlers and Halloween Birthday Party Ideas for Kids.
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