Looking for a fun way to keep kids occupied indoors–without using screens? A scavenger hunt is a great activity for kids of all ages. Download this free printable indoor scavenger hunt for kids for the ultimate rainy or snowy day activity!
Sometimes, no matter how long and loud you sing “Rain, rain, go away,” it does not go away. And that means you’re stuck inside, trying to keep kids from climbing the walls! Having an indoor scavenger hunt is a fun way for them to burn off some energy–in an organized way.
As a homeschool mom, I’ve learned there are times when my young kids are struggling to focus, and they need to get up and move around. Usually, we head outside and run off some energy.
But sometimes, the weather just doesn’t cooperate. Rain, cold, or even extreme heat keeps us stuck inside. When bad weather days keep you indoors, an indoor scavenger hunt game is an easy activity. Getting up and moving around breaks the monotony of a boring day.
Plus, indoor scavenger hunts are a great way to get the whole family involved in indoor activities when you can’t go out. Use them for your kids, or as a fun activity for family night. Everyone is sure to have a good time!
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In This Post
How to Do a Scavenger Hunt Indoors
An indoor scavenger hunt can be tricky. You want to make it a little challenging, so kids aren’t done in just a few minutes.
But you also don’t want it to be so challenging they can’t do it on their own, or so that little kids can’t participate.
The trick is to make some specific items and others that are more open to interpretation. I’ve seen teenagers get really into scavenger hunts when they’re encouraged to be creative and come up with alternative ideas.
Indoor Scavenger Hunt Rules
Depending on how many kids are involved, and their ages, there are a few ways you can set up an indoor scavenger hunt.
- Set a time limit to see how many things they can find. The person who finds the most items from the list before time runs out is the winner.
- Give each child a copy of the list and a container (think a bucket with a handle) and have them race to see who can find all the items first.
- Separate kids into teams and see which team can find all the items. (This is great if you have a mix of older and younger kids.)
No matter how you decide to set up your indoor scavenger hunt, kids will have some screen-free fun for at least a little while.
Related: 12 Quiet Activities for Kids to Keep Them Busy
Ideas for a Scavenger Hunt at Home
What makes a good item to hunt can vary depending on your house, the ages of your kids, and the amount of stuff you have. (So, probably not a good idea if you’re a minimalist!)
However, there are a few household items that most of us have in our homes that kids can find and collect.
If you find there’s something on the printable indoor scavenger hunt list that you don’t have, you can always cross it out. Or, encourage your kids to think outside the box and come up with something creative.
An indoor scavenger hunt is the perfect activity for:
- rainy days
- a birthday party
- boredom busters
A scavenger hunt can help kids improve their observation skills while enjoying a little friendly competition. If your kids get a little too competitive (like mine!), set them up on teams so they learn to work together to gather all of the items.
Supplies You Need for This Free Printable Scavenger Hunt
This fun indoor activity is easy, and you don’t need any special tools. But there are a few supplies you can have on hand to make it easier and more fun.
The best part of this indoor scavenger hunt is that you can use it over and over again. Simply laminate the sheets and let kids mark off their items with a dry-erase marker. Then, you can use them over and over again.
- small collection baskets
- quality printer (I love myHP printerwith an Instant Ink subscription)
- laminator
- laminating sheets
How to Host an Indoor Scavenger Hunt
If you want to host a scavenger hunt for a homeschool co-op, neighborhood kids, or as a fun activity for a birthday party, here are a few guidelines.
- Plan the Hunt: You can start by deciding on the theme of your scavenger hunt. It could be based on colors, shapes, or a specific topic like animals or superheroes. This will help you develop clues and items that align with the theme. (Or, use our free printable for a hands-off approach.)
- Hide the Items: Hide small objects or treasures around the house, making sure they are safe and easy to find. Make sure it’s not too hard for younger children to find the items on the list.
- Set the Rules: Before starting the scavenger hunt, explain the rules to the kids. Let them know how many items they need to find or how much time they have to finish the hunt. Encourage them to work together and have fun.
- Provide Tools: Give the kids a bag or basket to collect the items they find during the hunt. This will make them feel like real treasure hunters and keep everything organized.
- Offer Rewards: Consider having small prizes or treats for the participants. This will add excitement and motivation to the game. It could be something simple like stickers or small toys.
- Safety First: Ensure the area where the scavenger hunt takes place is childproofed and free from any hazards. Keep an eye on the kids throughout the activity to ensure their safety.
30 Easy Items to Find on Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Create your own scavenger hunt from scratch. Or make it easier on yourself and download the simple scavenger hunt at the bottom of this post. It includes 30 different items that older kids and younger kids can find.
- A toy car
- A stuffed animal
- Your favorite book
- Something that is blue
- Something you sleep with
- A ball
- Something soft
- A pair of socks that aren’t yours
- Something you can wear
- A food you like to eat
- Something that has batteries
- An art project you made
- A fun game
- A movie
- A thing shaped like a circle
- Something that starts with the letter “A”
- Something that smells nice
- Something you use every day
- A gift someone gave you
- Something you put on your food
- Your favorite color
- Something that keeps you warm
- A heart
- Something that is metal
- Something that makes a sound
- A picture
- Your favorite art supply
- Something that goes on your head
- Money
- A block
Download the Free Indoor Scavenger Hunt Printable
Indoor scavenger hunts are lots of fun for kids of any age. Download your own copy of the scavenger hunt for a printable activity that’s so much fun! Enter your email address below, and I’ll send the pdf file straight to your inbox.
More Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Looking for more fun and free scavenger hunts for kids? Check out these other ideas:
- Christmas Scavenger Hunt
- Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt
- Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
- Playground Scavenger Hunt
- Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
- Family Scavenger Hunt (indoors or outdoors)
