Outdoor Scavenger Game for Kids

Outdoor Scavenger Game for Kids
Photo Credit Kids in meadow image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com

From baseball to badminton, your kids can play a wide variety of outdoor sports. However, sports are not the only source of outdoor fun for children. Another option is a scavenger hunt. This game can benefit children both physically and mentally. With a little creativity, you can set up an interesting and entertaining scavenger hunt in your own backyard.

Types

A scavenger hunt is basically a game in which players try to find a series of items. You can give players a list of items and the first player to find them wins the game. Another way to play the game is to attach clues to each item. Each clue leads players to the next item. For kids' games, you can put clues inside plastic balls or plastic Easter eggs and hide them around your backyard. You can also give the kids a list of letters and have them find items that start with each letter. For example, they can find a leaf for the letter "L."

Age Considerations

When setting up a scavenger hunt, keep in mind the ages of the kids who are playing the game. For preteens or teenagers, you can use complex clues or riddles. You can also have these children use compasses to find their items. If the scavenger hunt is too easy, adolescents can quickly lose interest. However, young kids can get frustrated if the scavenger hunt is too difficult. You can use pictures as clues for these children. For example, you can draw a particular tree in your backyard to help the kids find an item.

Benefits

An outdoor scavenger hunt offers children several benefits. This type of game gets them outside in the fresh air and it allows them to get some exercise. The clues can also help develop your kids' reasoning skills. If the clues involve different types of trees or plants, then your kids can also learn about nature. In addition, you can have kids work in teams to develop their teamwork and social skills.

Safety

When your kids participate in an outdoor scavenger hunt, safety needs to be a priority. The children need to understand the boundaries of the game so that they do not wander into dangerous areas. For example, a scavenger hunt for kids should take place a safe distance away from the street. A pool, lawn mower, hot grill and sharp gardening tools can also be hazardous for kids. Supervise children during a scavenger hunt to help them avoid getting hurt or lost.

Prizes

The first player to find every scavenger hunt item gets a prize. The right prizes can make the game more fun for kids. Prizes can include toys, candy, books and game tokens. You can also have the winning player help you hide items for the next scavenger hunt.

References

Article reviewed by demand241 Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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