Inside: 70 Fun Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Teens + Prize Ideas
If you or your teen are anything like I was growing up, I loved getting together with my friends to act goofy, have fun, and try new things. I remember growing up one activity we all love to do was create and plan fun scavenger hunts.
We participated in scavenger hunts for birthdays, church events, school field trips, and sometimes even just for fun.
They are a great way to get the kids out to enjoy their friends and see the world around them. Maybe even notice little things they would never pay attention to or try something they would otherwise never want to try.
These fun scavenger hunt ideas for teens are perfect for any age of teen from 13 -18, check out our favorite ideas and have fun!
Tips for Planning a Treasure Hunt for Teens
If you ever went on scavenger hunts as a teen then you know how incredibly fun they can be. Here is my list of steps to pull it off with low fuss.
- Choose a Location: I love to choose an outdoor shopping center because the kids can be a little louder there and not disrupt anything or disturb anyone.
- Be sure you let parents know what to expect – If you are inviting parents to drop their kids off, make sure you come right out and say that. If you need volunteers to help with the hunt, be sure you request them. Have multiple forms of communication (emails, phone, etc) and make sure every parent has a way to contact you during or after the party should the need arise. We like to make sure to tell parents that each team would have an adult with them at all times if needed. Remind kids to bring their phones and make sure they are fully charged for pictures!
- Make out your list. This is where it gets really fun. Talk to friends and family members to get as many creative ideas as possible. However, keep your location in mind when planning, and make sure you don’t add anything that might cause your participants to get into trouble. Don’t worry we have a fun list of ideas for any age of teen!
- Give parents a designated drop off location and time as well as pickup location and time.
The Rules for a Scavenger Hunt for Teens
Each team was assigned an adult “coach” to walk around with them, help take photos if needed, and make sure no one gave them any trouble.
- You must take a photo or video to prove that you completed each scavenger hunt task
- Do not be intrusive or disrespectful of any person, business, or creature.
- Stay out of the way of crowds.
- Remain with your group at all times. Except for the bathroom, of course, 🙂
Each team chose a captain and a person responsible for taking photos of everything. I gave that person my cell phone number so that they could text me a photograph of each item along with its number as they went down the list.
Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Teens
These scavenger hunt clues for teens are a great way to get everyone laughing and being creative together. I love starting off any party with a fun scavenger hunt. It’s a great way to break the ice and have some fun.
1. Everyone in the same bathroom stall
2. Smelling a flower
3. Someone kicking a ball
4. Team posing with a stranger
5. Someone shaking hands
6. A teammate hanging upside down
7. Holding a bug
8. A Rubberband ball
9. A for sale sign
10. Everyone on a slide
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt for Teenagers
These neighborhood and outdoor scavenger hunt ideas are great ideas for your driving teen. Dividing up into teams with a designated driver (WHO ONLY FOCUSES ON DRIVING) while the other team members search for items. These are great scavenger hunt ideas for 16-year-olds!
11. Stop Sign
12. Flowers
13. Bird
14. Fence
15. House with Garage
16. Mailbox
17. Basketball Hoop
18. Dog
19. Bicycle
20. Blue House
21. Red Door
22. Fire Hydrant
23. On a Swing Set
24. Using a Stick as a Mic
25. Flag
26. Balancing on Something
27. Yard Statue
28. Trampoline
29. Wood Pile
30. Mini-Van
31. Wind Chimes
32. Street Light
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Teens
33. Motorcycle
34. Drive-Thru Window
35. Tennis Court
36. Crosswalk
37. Park Bench
38. Lake/Pond
39. Gas Pump
40. A Bridge
Birthday Scavenger Hunt for Teenager
Celebrating a birthday? A birthday scavenger hunt was always one of my favorite bday activities to do with my best friends. We did a ton of these in my tween/early teen years! These are great 14-year-old scavenger hunt ideas and scavenger hunt ideas for 13 years old. They are old enough to let loose in a mall or to chauffeur around town to come up with all their scavenger hunt items.
41. Birthday boy or girl in a party hat
42. Group Selfie
43. A Human Pyramid
44. An Interesting Decoration
45. Swinging on a Swing
46. Something that displays a rule
47. Someone wearing sunglasses
48. Something with animal print
49. The number the birthday boy or girl is turning
50. Painted fingernails
51. Everyone under a tree posing like trees
52. Something Pink
53. Something Purple
54. A Dollar Bill
55. A Shopping Bag
Things To Do for Teen Scavenger Hunt
56. Create a hopscotch pattern and get 3 strangers to try it.
57. Get 4 strangers to spell YMCA with their arms
58. Recreate the iconic Beatles photo crossing the street. (BE SAFE THOUGH)
59. Get a picture of the entire team in a reflection other than a mirror.
60. Get a stranger to take a jumping photo with the group.
61. Make a human pyramid.
62. Get all team members to cram into the smallest space possible.
63. Hold the door for a stranger.
64. Act like a stranger is a celebrity and ask for their autograph.
Scavenger Hunt Prizes for Teenagers
65. Gifts Cards – Starbucks, Target, Amazon, Chick-fil-a, or Visa
66. Candy – Large size candy bags or candy bars
67. Popular Items – Scrunchies, Waterbottles, Mini Brands,
68. Stickers
69. Books
70. Dollar Store Trinkets – Bouncy Balls, Pencils, Erases, Mini Toys, Bubbles
The Most Important Thing to Remember
We all love having fun, creating memories, and having a good time. But there is one thing that is the most important thing to remember when playing, planning, or putting together a scavenger hunt.
BE SAFE.
Although you are playing with the best intentions, not everyone will be accepting of teens running around and causing chaos.
Choose your location, tasks, and challenges wisely and use your best judgment.
More Fun Ideas Your Teens Will Love
If you liked these fun scavenger hunt ideas for teens, then check out a few more fun ideas your teenager will love.
- Snack Ideas for Teens – After all the scavenger hunt fun, teens will be hungry from all their hard work. But, we all know teens can be finicky eaters, and finding snacks they’ll actually eat isn’t always the easiest thing to do, which is why we’ve rounded up the best snack ideas for hungry teens. From healthy and fruity to no-quite-so-healthy (but, totally delicious) and sweet, and salty, you’re sure to find more than a few snack ideas.
- Teen Volunteer Programs – Looking for more fun activities to do with your teens? Volunteer work can teach your teen a lot of valuable life lessons. Whether you want your child to learn the importance of giving back to the community or you’re hoping they’ll gain some valuable skills that will help them in a future job, there are lots of reasons to pursue local volunteer opportunities.
- Fun First Day Ideas for Teens – Some first dates are as simple and easy as going out to dinner and getting dessert, while others involve staying at home to cook together, playing games, watching the sunset, and having a movie night. Teenage couples may want to do something special and unique, especially for an anniversary. These first-date ideas are perfect for teen couples.
