Enjoy these Summer Scavenger Hunt Ideas while you’re relaxing outside in the backyard, camping, heading out for a walk/hike or exploring places around town!
If there’s one thing we love, it’s a fun scavenger hunt for kids!
In fact, we’ve been known to ‘divide and conquer’ in a friendly family competition on more than one occasion.
20+ Summer Scavenger Hunts
In addition to just being fun, scavenger hunts are also great ways for kids to learn — your kids will hone their observation skills, practice new words, explore new places and many hunts also intregrate a little science and math too.
Our goal — one scavenger hunt each week for the whole summer!
Since I’ve been on the look-out for some cool hunts that we can do this summer, I thought I would share some of our finds — more than 20 awesomely fun ideas for fun ways to get out & have an adventure!
I know summer is actually only 16 weeks long but I wanted to include some extra ideas so we’d have a nice variety to choose from (and in case we ended up needing a scavenger hunt that matched an attraction we are visiting).
Summer Scavenger Hunt Ideas & Clues
Most of the hunts on our list include a free printable so you can easily keep them on hand for some quick summer fun. We’ve also included a few affiliate links for awesome scavenger hunt ideas & items that we really enjoy!
As with all of our scavenger hunts, we suggest having a sturdy 9 x 12″ Clipboard to hold your hunt so you won’t be running after the paper as it blows around.
And if you’ll have the hunt near water (like the beach), another great hack is to put the scavenger hunt in a ziploc bag and then use a Dry Erase Markers to check-off your finds.
If you’re REALLY up for a challenge, try completing ALL the Summer scavenger hunts before school begins!
Nature Scavenger Hunts
Whether you’re hiking, camping, headed to the beach or just exploring your own backyard — take along one of these nature hunts to entertain kids & adults!
Nature Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Nighttime Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Go Find It Scavenger Hunt Nature Cards are perfect for getting kids to “think outside the box!”
Nature Texture Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Explore the Outdoors Hunt | How to Nest for Less
Forest Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt (this one’s super creative & can be done online using live webcams to find all the marine life on the list!) | Edventures with Kids
Outdoor Summer Hunt Ideas
Fun and easy ways to get kids, tweens & teens outside for a treasure hunt! I also LOVE to hide one or two inexpensive summer-themed toys for kids along the hunt
Backyard Scavenger Hunt (for fun close to home!) | Edventures with Kids
Outdoor Photo Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Beach Scavenger Hunt (use while walking on the beach!) | Edventures with Kids
Garden Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Happy Camper Scavenger Hunt | The Creative Homemaker
Hiking Scavenger Hunt | Make & Takes
Playground Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Camping Bingo that can also be used as a scavenger hunt | 30 Handmade Days
Travel Scavenger Hunts for Kids
These treasure hunts are perfect for vacations, family road trips and other travel adventures you have planned this Summer!
Scavenger Hunt for Kids Tin (great for vacations!)
License Plate Hunt for Kids | Edventures with Kids
Airport Scavenger Hunt | Inspired by Familia
Road Trip Scavenger Hunts | Mom’s Minivan
Plus these 40 FREE printable Road Trip Games are great too!
Summer Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Places Near Me
These printable hunts are perfect for day trips, outings close to home and other fun places to go with kids!
Zoo Scavenger Hunt | Edventures with Kids
Vintage TeddyBear Picnic Hunt | B. Nute Productions
Grocery Store Scavenger Hunt | PBS Kids (you can also use this at home too!)
Library Scavenger Hunt | What Do We Do All Day?
Or try this Non-fiction Library Scavenger Hunt too!
Farmer’s Market Scavenger Hunt | Kids Activities Blog (not a printable but great list of questions!)
Unique Summer Treasure Hunts
Red, White & Blue Scavenger Hunt (for Memorial Day or July 4th) | Edventures with Kids
Indoor Scavenger Hunt (for those hot summer days!) | Edventures with Kids
The Pocket Scavenger for Creative Kids!
It’s also fun to create your own scavenger hunt with Quick Hunts — maybe one with a pirate or luau theme?! It’s free and easy to do — also a great activity for a family BBQ, birthday or get-together!
And be sure to see our 20 Printable Scavenger Hunts, Car Games & Summer Activities for more ideas too!
More Summer Activities
100 Free Summer Activities for Kids Near Me (FREE printable calendar!)
20 FUN Things to do on a Summer Night
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34 Ways to Be a Cool Parent this Summer
