A scavenger hunt game is a fun activity that encourages preschoolers to learn through observing their environment. It’s perfect for a car trip, a day at the park, or a trip to the beach.
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Keep your kids entertained with these printable scavenger hunt game cards. This simple game is fun and includes pictures and words for pre-readers and young children.
There’s something about a scavenger hunt that appeals to all kids. No matter where we are going, my two children are always playing some type of searching game. They’re looking for alphabet letters or guessing one another’s I Spy clues. They look for slug bugs and out-of-state license plates.
I love that it encourages them to be more observant. A scavenger hunt is really a game that can be played anywhere – on the road, around town, or even just at home.
Scavenger hunt game
There really is no “right” way to play, despite what my kids might tell you. Make up your own rules or play with no rules at all!
Print each page of 8 cards and cut them out. Shuffle the cards and give your child a card with an item to look for, or all of the cards at once.
To make these cards last for a while without getting torn up, I recommend printing on card stock and laminating each page. I like to use one-sided self-adhesive laminating sheets.
You can just give your child a washable marker to cross out the picture of each item as they find it. Later, the marker will wipe right off with a wet wipe.
Alternatively, Punch a hole in the side and string them all on a lanyard or key chain.
Cards for on the road
This set of scavenger hunt cards includes things you might see outside the car window on a road trip.
- school bus
- horse
- flower
- cloud
- truck
- tree
- deer
- train
Cards for in the park
These scavenger hunt cards feature items you might find at a neighborhood park with a playground and walking trails.
- grill
- bee
- mushroom
- leaf
- frog
- butterfly
- ball
- sign
Cards for at the beach
If you’re heading to the beach, pack these scavenger hunt cards that include items you might find there.
- bucket
- sunglasses
- crab
- shell
- umbrella
- sandals
- fish
- boat
Get the printable
Download all 3 sets of printable scavenger hunt cards together as a PDF. Each one prints on a single 8.5×11-inch paper.
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Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
What a fun way to keep the kiddos entertained in the car!
I have to develop one for our Sunday School kids inside the church. This gives me some ideas, maybe they have to take a phone and take pictures of certain items in the church and one with best pictures and who returns faster could win. We do it with the lights out, exit lights and emergency lights shining only. Loads of fun for kids and adults. Thanks for the help.
Glad I inspired you! Scavenger hunts are one of those things that you can do with a wide age range without the younger ones feeling left out or the older ones getting bored.