If you have children and sometimes struggle for entertaining ways to keep them busy, consider scavenger hunts. They are a fun activity that works with kids of all ages. You can make scavenger hunts simple for younger children, ore more difficult for older kids, and can have the hunt be spontaneous or meticulously planned.
Older kids may enjoy a puzzle element to the hunt. If you give them hints, and they have to guess what to look for, this can make the hunt more challenging.
Try a nature hunt. If you have kids hunt for natural elements in your back yard, or in a park, you can avoid having them pick up trash and keep them from leaving supervised areas to look for items. Nature hunts are often the best hunts.
Children should be reminded to be gentle to nature during the hunt. Begin with a short lesson for the kids, about taking items that are on the ground only. There will still be plenty of small items that they can hunt for, such as:
Items of a specific color - red leaves, for instance, or black rocks. Items of a specific shape - things that are round, things that are triangular. Leaves of a specific type, pinecones, twigs, moss. Small insects that are safe to pick up, such as ants or ladybugs (be specific about type of bug, to prevent kids from picking up something that might sting).
Theme hunts are also very fun and engaging for children. And they don't have to be expensive; often, a quick trip to the dollar store will provide everything you need.
You might also consider sending the kids off to find 'treasure,' by providing hints that lead to a stash of chocolate gold coins. Or, host a secret agent mission hunt, and have them search for the clues as well as the items!
With a well-planned scavenger hunt, most kids will be entertained for at least an hour if not more. You can also expand your hunt to include neighbors' houses, if you know them well and if the kids are older. Consider sending kids out to find household items such as a clothespin, or a mismatched sock, to add to the hilarity.
Older kids may enjoy a puzzle element to the hunt. If you give them hints, and they have to guess what to look for, this can make the hunt more challenging.
Try a nature hunt. If you have kids hunt for natural elements in your back yard, or in a park, you can avoid having them pick up trash and keep them from leaving supervised areas to look for items. Nature hunts are often the best hunts.
Children should be reminded to be gentle to nature during the hunt. Begin with a short lesson for the kids, about taking items that are on the ground only. There will still be plenty of small items that they can hunt for, such as:
Items of a specific color - red leaves, for instance, or black rocks. Items of a specific shape - things that are round, things that are triangular. Leaves of a specific type, pinecones, twigs, moss. Small insects that are safe to pick up, such as ants or ladybugs (be specific about type of bug, to prevent kids from picking up something that might sting).
Theme hunts are also very fun and engaging for children. And they don't have to be expensive; often, a quick trip to the dollar store will provide everything you need.
You might also consider sending the kids off to find 'treasure,' by providing hints that lead to a stash of chocolate gold coins. Or, host a secret agent mission hunt, and have them search for the clues as well as the items!
With a well-planned scavenger hunt, most kids will be entertained for at least an hour if not more. You can also expand your hunt to include neighbors' houses, if you know them well and if the kids are older. Consider sending kids out to find household items such as a clothespin, or a mismatched sock, to add to the hilarity.
About the Author:
In addition to entertaining activities, the author additionally regularly writes on free small business bookkeeping software and business inventory software.