Scavenger hunts are one of our family’s favorite activities. Who doesn’t love to follow clues around the house to find a special treat or reward? The challenge of figuring out a clue or writing them thrills me. I have written simple scavenger hunts for toddlers and preschoolers, scavenger hunts for a 10 year old girl’s glamour birthday party to complex clues for teenagers leading them all around town. My kids even helped write a scavenger hunt for daddy to welcome him home from work one day. Their favorite part? They were his prize!
Today, we’re doing an activity that combines reinforcing household rules (like turn off the lights when you leave a room) with the fun of a scavenger hunt. Be sure to find a fun treat or little toy for your kids to find at the end. Work with them as they decipher the clues that will lead them around your house. Ask questions to help them figure out the answer. Talk about the household rules as you go.
Here are our clues. For a quick and easy scavenger hunt, download the FREE printable here. Just print, cut the clues and play.
* This clue leads to one of the sinks your kids use to wash their hands.
Let’s stay healthy
Let’s stay clean
Do this often to be
A germ fighting machine
* This clue leads to the sink your child uses to brush their teeth.
Don’t leave me running
I go down a drain
I’m useful when brushing
But please use your brain.
* This clue leads to the kitchen table.
I need to be cleared
The meal is done
With dishes and glasses
Helping out can be fun
* This clue leads to your designated meeting spot in case of fire.
If there’s a fire
Here’s where we meet
Be safe and be quick
So you don’t feel the heat
* This clue leads to the stairs.
We don’t want to trip up
We don’t want to fall down
Please keep me clear
And you’ll see no frown
* This clue leads to a door. Let them run around to find the right door.
I’m big and I’m tall
But not meant to slam
You’ll get in trouble
If you go bam-bam.
* This clue leads to your child’s bed.
You are awake
But I will stay put
Tend to my blankets
From head to my foot.
* This clue leads to a roll of toilet paper.
Don’t use too little
Don’t use too much
Just the perfect amount
Before you flush
* This clue leads to a light switch. Let your child run around the house checking all the light switches.
You’re leaving now
You are all done
Please turn me off
Wasted power’s no fun.
* This clue leads to the inside of the refrigerator.
I keep food fresh
I keep things cold
Close my doors
So you won’t find mold.
Get involved with your children as they run around the house. Teach, learn and have fun!
Kristen is a fun-loving mom to two kids who keep her busy and laughing. Add her great husband and the Lord to the mix and her life is one fantastic, crazy adventure. She is a former youth leader, professional wedding and event planner and has a degree in Christian Thought/Christian Ministry. She loves long lists, diet soda and playing jokes on her husband. Kristen is the author of Teach Me To Serve: 99 Ways Preschoolers Can Learn to Serve & Bless Others. You can find her blogging at Celebrate Every Day With Me where she shares fun ideas for children’s activities, creating memorable moments and party planning. Stop by and celebrate the ‘everyday stuff’ of life. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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Oh thank you so much for this!!!! Today, my 12 year old decided to dye her hair before school, without permission. (just uses a mascara type brush, it washes out.) Tons of drama ensued when I told her she’d be late to school because she needed to take a shower and wash her hair. I hate these things like this – the frustration of pushing the rules, the anger when they are mad at not getting away with it… I really wanted something positive and upbeat. So appreciate this! We’ll do this this week, as a FUN way to encourage and remember what we value as a family. Thank you – really needed something positive this morning.
What a great idea! My kids love scavenger hunts and what a great way to teach/reinforce the household rules! I took it a step further and made it double sided. On one side are the clues (still evenly sectioned but taking up entire page) and on the other side I put a full page colorful, cartoon-ish image of a house with the heading. This way, after scavenger hunt is finished, the kids can put all the pieces together like a puzzle.