Scavenger hunts are fun for kids (and adults) of all ages, but writing scavenger hunt clues can be just as puzzling as solving them. Apply your imagination to these witty ideas when writing scavenger hunt clues and your treasure hunt will be a curious adventure!

Scavenger Hunt Clue Idea: Word Scrambles

Mix it up by writing scavenger hunt clues with letters! Here are some word-scrambling ideas:

Scramble up the letters of the clue object or location. CANDLE turns into ADECNL

Or take out some letters with fill-in-the-blank. CANDLE turns into _ A _ D _ E . Or hide the letters in Xs. CANDLE turns into XXCXXXAXXXNXDXXXLXXE .

Scavenger Hunt Clue Idea: Riddles

Writing scavenger hunt clues

That rhyme is the thing to do!

Describe the object or the place

And let your words show its face!

Weave in senses, its uses,

Or wordplay that confuses.

Many hints will help the fun

In solving the clue for everyone!

Scavenger Hunt Clue Idea: Photo Clues

Writing scavenger hunt clues doesn’t always mean writing. Get out your camera and take pictures of your clue locations! Here are some photo clue ideas to try:

Zoom in on a specific feature of an object in the room. For example, zoom in on the 5 of a foyer clock or the spout of a kitchen teapot.

Take a picture of a specific space of the clue location without a key object like a flowerpot or a side table. Caption the picture: “What is missing from this picture?”

Cut up the photo clue of the entire object into puzzle pieces.

Scavenger Hunt Clue Idea: Picture Equations

Drawing can be just as effective as writing scavenger hunt clues. Have the clue object or location in mind before you begin to draw, snip photos, or print clipart. Here are some examples of picture equations:

potato + chip = potato chips

steak + knives = steak knives

dog + park = dog park

Scavenger Hunt Clue Idea: Trivia Facts

Add some difficulty for older players by writing scavenger hunt clues as trivia facts. Remember that players aren’t meant to look up the trivia fact, so write the scavenger hunt clue so that the players can solve the clue with their knowledge of the scavenger hunt grounds and of the clue object or location. For example, if the house has a portrait of Elvis, the clue can read like this: “Don’t Be Cruel and step on my Blue Suede Shoes.”

Keep in mind when writing scavenger hunt clues the age level of the players. Make sure the players understand the location perimeters of the scavenger hunt and what rooms or places within that location are off-limits. And most importantly, have fun!

What are your tips to writing scavenger hunt clues? Share them below!