Scavenger hunt clues written for your own home or park
Generic clue lists fall apart when your house has no piano or your garden has no shed. Tell your todo.is agent the actual spots you can hide things, the kids' ages and the prize, and it writes a chain of rhyming clues that lead from one spot to the next, with a hiding plan for you and printable clue cards.
The prompt
- Write a chain of [NUMBER OF CLUES] scavenger hunt clues for [WHO IS PLAYING]. The hunt is [WHERE] and these are the hiding spots I can use: [HIDING SPOTS]. Each clue should lead to the next spot, rhyme if possible, and be solvable by the youngest player with a little help. The last clue leads to [THE PRIZE]. Give me a hiding plan in order (which card goes where), a second set of easier backup hints, and a printable PDF of numbered clue cards, 6 per A4 page, in a [STYLE] style.
What to change
- [NUMBER OF CLUES]: 8 to 10 clues takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Use 5 or 6 for kids under 6.
- [WHO IS PLAYING]: E.g. "6 kids aged 6 to 9 at a birthday party", "two teenagers", "adult couples at an anniversary".
- [WHERE]: E.g. "inside our flat", "in the back garden", "in a local park", "around the office".
- [HIDING SPOTS]: List real places: "fridge, washing machine, under the doormat, bookshelf, mailbox, the dog's bed, a flower pot, the bathtub".
- [THE PRIZE]: E.g. "a treasure chest of sweets in the garage", "birthday presents behind the sofa", "concert tickets".
- [STYLE]: E.g. "pirate treasure map", "secret agent", "fairy", "Harry Potter-style", or "plain".
Example result
- Pirate treasure hunt
- 6 kids aged 6 to 9 · house and garden · 8 clues · prize: treasure chest in the garage
- Hiding plan (for the grown-up)
- • Card 1: hand it to the kids to start
- • Card 2: inside the fridge
- • Card 3: under the doormat
- • Card 4: in the washing machine drum
- • Card 5: on the bookshelf, inside the big atlas
- • Card 6: in the dog's bed
- • Card 7: under the red flower pot in the garden
- • Card 8: in the mailbox
- • Treasure: behind the bikes in the garage
- The clues
- • 1 (start): Ahoy, young pirates, your hunt has begun! Look where it's cold and the milk gets its fun. *(fridge)*
- • 2: Now go to the door where we wipe off our feet, the next clue is hiding beneath where you meet. *(doormat)*
- • 3: Round and round the dirty socks spin, open the door and look within. *(washing machine)*
- • 4: Maps of the world, all oceans and lands, find the big book and take it in hands. *(atlas)*
- • 5: Woof! Where does our sleepy friend lie? Check his soft bed, but don't wake him, try! *(dog's bed)*
- • 6: Out in the garden where red petals grow, lift up the pot and look down below. *(flower pot)*
- • 7: Letters and parcels arrive here each day, peek in the box by the front of the way. *(mailbox)*
- • 8 (final): Bikes and the tools sleep in here at night, the treasure is hidden just out of sight! *(garage)*
- Backup hints
- • Clue 3: "It's in the kitchen and makes clothes clean."
- • Clue 4: "It's the biggest book on the shelf."
- • Clue 7: "It's outside the front door."
- Good to know
- • Hide cards just before the party so nobody moves them
- • Number the back of each card so you can check the order
- • Give each child a turn to read a clue aloud
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and list the real hiding spots you can use, plus the ages and the prize.
- Paste it into todo.is on the Today screen or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- Download the clue cards PDF, print it, and follow the hiding plan.
- Ask for another set ("a harder one for the teens" or "same spots, space theme") for a second round.
Tips for a better result
- Walk the route once before guests arrive. A clue that leads to a locked room ends the fun.
- Mixed ages? Pair a reader with a non-reader, or add a small picture to each card for little ones.
- For a big group, run two teams with the same spots in a different order so they don't follow each other.
- Outdoor hunts: tape clues in clear bags in case of rain, and only use public parks where it's allowed.
scavenger hunt clues: FAQ
- How many clues should a scavenger hunt have? About 6 to 10 clues for kids, which takes 15 to 30 minutes. Teens and adults enjoy 10 to 15 harder ones.
- How do I make scavenger hunt clues harder for teens or adults? Use riddles, codes like a simple letter shift, or photo clues of a small detail. Ask your agent for "cryptic" clues in the prompt.
- Can the agent make a hunt for a whole neighbourhood or town? Yes. Give it the area and it can suggest public landmarks with map links. Check the spots are safe and open before you send people there.
- Can I get the clues without rhymes? Yes. Ask for plain riddles, simple descriptions for very young kids, or picture clues.
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