Inside: 70 Fun Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Teens + Prize Ideas
You or your teen might be like me in that we enjoyed getting together with our pals to be silly, try new things, and generally let loose. When I was a kid, my friends and I would often get together to plan elaborate scavenger hunts.
Scavenger hunts were a staple of many of our celebrations, from birthday parties to church outings to school excursions.
They’re fantastic for encouraging young people to spend time outside with their peers and learn about the world. Perhaps they will start paying attention to the tiniest details or even be willing to try something they have always avoided.
Check out our favorite ideas for a scavenger hunt, which are appropriate for teens of any age between 13 and 18.
Tips for Planning a Treasure Hunt for Teens
You’re missing out on all the fun if you didn’t participate in scavenger hunts as a teenager. To accomplish this with minimum disruption, I have compiled the following list of suggestions.
- Choose a Location: I prefer to go somewhere where we can be loud and not worry about disrupting anyone.
- Be sure you let parents know what to expect – You’ll need to let them know if it’s a come and go or if you need them to stay and help out. Plus, you’ll need to let them know how long you expect the scavenger hunt to take.
- Make out your list. Right about now is when things start to get exciting. Gather as many unique suggestions as you can by talking to loved ones. But think about where you’ll be holding the event, and leave out anything that could get the participants in trouble. We’ve got you covered with a ton of exciting options appropriate for teenagers of all ages!
- Make sure parents know when and where to bring their children, and when and where to pick them up.
The Rules for a Scavenger Hunt for Teens
An adult “coach” was assigned to each group to accompany them on their outing, snap pictures if necessary, and keep the peace.
- Each scavenger hunt task requires you to document your completion with a photo or video.
- Be courteous and polite to everyone and everything you encounter.
- Avoid the hubbub and stay out of the way of the crowds.
- Don’t ever get too far away from the others in your party.
A team captain and a photographer were selected by each group. I gave them my phone number so that as they checked things off the list, they could send me a picture of the item and its corresponding number via text message.
Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Teens
These teen scavenger hunt clues are a fantastic way to get everyone laughing and thinking outside the box. A scavenger hunt is always a great way to get a party started. It’s an excellent method of easing tensions and having a good time.
1. Everyone in front of a store
2. Sniffing a flower
3. A person kicking a ball around
4. Team taking a picture with a stranger or group of strangers
5. Two people shaking hands
6. A person hanging upside down on something
7. A hand with a bug in it
8. Rubberbands formed into a ball
9. Real estate sign that says “for sale”
10. The teammates are all on top of a slipper slide
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt for Teenagers
Ideas for scavenger hunts in the neighborhood or outside are perfect for your teen who is just learning to drive. Teams form, with one person responsible for driving (and only driving), while the others scavenge for items. These are fantastic ideas for a scavenger hunt for a group of 16-year-olds.
11. Yield Sign
12. Garden with flowers
13. Bird flying in the sky
14. A white fence
15. House with a white garage
16. Wooden mailbox
17. Basketball Hoop
18. Brown dog
19. Bicycle or tricycle
20. Yellow House
21. Green Door
22. Fire Hydrant
23. Jungle gym
24. Teammate singing with a stick as the microphone
25. School spirit flag
26. Standing on one leg
27. A gnome or yard statue
28. Trampoline
29. Pile of wood
30. Van
31. Street Lights
32. Wind Chimes
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Teens
33. Crosswalk
34. Motorcycle
35. Photo in a drive-thru window
36. Pond
37. Someone on a tennis court
38. Bench at a park
39. Gas Pump
40. A Bridge
Birthday Scavenger Hunt for Teenager
Having a party for someone’s birthday? My best friends and I used to have the best time ever on our birthdays whenever we did a scavenger hunt. My early teenage years were filled with these kinds of activities. Great scavenger hunt ideas for 13-year-olds and 14-year-olds alike can be found here. They are of an appropriate age to be left unattended in a shopping center or driven all over town in search of scavenger hunt items.
41. Person wearing a party hat
42. Selfie with the entire group
43. Animal print shirt
44. Pineapple
45. Person swinging
46. A Human Pyramid
47. Someone wearing sunglasses
48. Something that displays a rule
49. The number the birthday boy or girl is turning
50. A hand with painted fingernails
51. Teammates standing by a tree posing like trees
52. Something Gray
53. Something Red
54. $5 bill
55. A Plastic Grocery Bag
Things To Do for Teen Scavenger Hunt
56. Create a game of hopscotch pattern and get 3 strangers to try it.
57. Get a group of strangers to spell YMCA with their arms
58. Someone crossing the street
59. Photo of everyone looking in the mirror.
60. Photo of everyone jumping in the air at the same time.
61. Have one person doing a handstand
62. Have everyone inside a car.
63. Someone eating an ice cream cone.
64. Ask a stranger for their autograph.
Scavenger Hunt Prizes for Teenagers
65. Gifts Cards or cash
66. Pop or candy
67. Waterbottles
68. Cute socks
69. Burrito Blanket
70. Temporary tattoos
The Most Important Thing to Remember
Having a good time, making new friends, and making memories are things that we all value highly. But there’s one thing that’s crucial to keep in mind whenever you’re participating in, organizing, or arranging a scavenger hunt.
BE SAFE.
It’s great that you’re having fun, but not everyone will appreciate the anarchy that teens causing havoc can bring.
Use your discretion when deciding where to go, what to do, and what challenges to take on.
More Fun Ideas Your Teens Will Love
Here are some more exciting activities that your teen will enjoy if you liked these scavenger hunt suggestions.
- Snack Ideas for Teens – The teens will be hungry after the exciting scavenger hunt. As a result, we’ve compiled a list of the best snack ideas for hungry teenagers, despite the fact that we all know teenagers can be picky eaters and it’s not always easy to find snacks they’ll actually eat. There are plenty of options, ranging from nutritious and fruity to less-than-healthy (but still delectable) sweet and salty snacks.
- Teen Volunteer Programs – Want more ideas for cool things to do with your teenagers? Teens who participate in volunteer work gain many skills that will help them in the future. There are many benefits to getting your kids involved in community service, such as teaching them the value of helping others and preparing them for the workforce.
- Fun First Day Ideas for Teens – Going out to eat and getting dessert is one option for a first date, while staying in and cooking, playing games, watching the sunset, and watching a movie are all others. Teenage couples, especially on an anniversary, may want to do something out of the ordinary. For a young couple’s first outing together, consider one of these suggestions.
Mom to teens with lots of ideas and inspiration to share for travel, food, parties, school & fun!