With crisp autumn temperatures arriving and fall foliage on full display, it’s a beautiful time of year for an outdoor adventure. “Scavenger hunts have a magical way of bringing families together,” explains Jamie Moran, CEO and co-founder of Scavify, a scavenger hunt app that allows you to build your own scavenger hunt and share the link with loved ones. “They create bonds, foster teamwork and make fantastic memories.”
Remember, a successful scavenger hunt should be age-appropriate and engaging. “Consider their interests and abilities when designing challenges and clues,” advises Moran. “Perhaps even break groups up by age. Incorporate colorful visuals, interactive elements and teamwork to keep them engaged and excited throughout the hunt.”
14 fall scavenger hunt ideas
Below, find 14 fall scavenger hunt ideas that are sure to spark every child’s interest.
1. Painted rock hunt
With a marker, number your rocks from 1 to 20, and hide them around your yard, local playground or wooded trail. Then, have your child find all of the rocks. After collecting the rocks, paint them in colorful designs and hide them for the next passerby to discover. Added bonus:our child is working on their number recognition and counting skills while having fun.
2. Leaf hunt
Colorful leaves are bountiful this time of year, so take advantage of it. “Autumn is a great time for an outdoor scavenger hunt because of the pleasant weather and colorful foliage,” Moran says. “The changing scenery adds excitement and provides a unique backdrop for the adventure.”
Print out a list of leaves with pictures that are indigenous to your area and try to locate them in your yard, neighborhood or hiking trail. Maple, oak, birch and sycamore should be easy to spot with their vibrant red, yellow and orange hues.
3. Outdoor critter hunt
Before they begin to hibernate or migrate for the winter, seek out all of the animals and birds in your region. Some easy-to-spot critters are chipmunks, squirrels, ladybugs, spiders, birds, black cats and bunnies. No time to draw up your own list? There are lots of fall scavenger hunt printables available for free online. Bonus! These worksheets double as coloring pages for your budding artists.
4. Fall festival hunt
Venture out in your local community for a fun twist on a scavenger hunt by visiting a fall festival. While there, search for these common autumnal items:
- Corn maze
- Tractor
- Hay bale
- Scarecrow
- Flannel shirt
- White pumpkin
- Orange pumpkin
- Gourd
- Red apple
- Yellow apple
- Green apple
- Cup of cider
- Corn stalks
- Mums
5. Nature hunt
“Outdoor scavenger hunts are fun and healthy for kids because they encourage physical activity, exploration of nature and problem-solving,” says Moran. The best part? Nature is all around you. Explore a local park, hiking trail or even your own backyard and take along one of these fall scavenger hunt printables for kids before going on your next adventure.
“As everyone works together to crack clues, solve puzzles and conquer challenges, they’re not just having fun — they’re strengthening their connections and creating lasting stories to share for years to come.”
—Jamie Moran, CEO and co-founder of Scavify
6. Word hunt
Who doesn’t love fun and games? To play this fall word hunt game, write out each word listed below on a piece of paper and hide them all around the house. Add a little friendly competition and have siblings or friends compete to find them all. Each word found equals one point. Need a seasonally-inspired list? Try these:
- Acorn
- Apple
- Autumn
- Bonfire
- Boots
- Cider
- Corn
- Flannel
- Foliage
- Football
- Gourd
- Harvest
- Hay
- Leaf
- Mums
- November
- October
- Orchard
- Pie
- Pumpkin
- Rake
- Scarecrow
- September
- S’mores
- Tree
7. Baking hunt
Spoiler alert: This scavenger hunt ends in a scrumptious snack! Use your senses when taking on this scavenger hunt to bake a yummy treat together. Write down your favorite fall recipe. If you need help finding a new favorite, consider this list of sweet and savory pumpkin recipes. Then, have your miniature sous chef locate all of the ingredients needed that you’ve hidden around your home. Take a taste of each ingredient and see how the flavors develop after they are baked together.
No time for baking? Have your child search for their favorite snack foods and combine them for a tasty trail mix instead.
8. Gratitude hunt
While it’s important to express gratitude all year long, there’s something about Thanksgiving that inspires us to share what we’re most grateful for each year. Put a little twist on this scavenger hunt and instead of scouring around for items, encourage your child to think of who or what they are thankful for in their lives. Write down their answers — and your own — and see how they change or stay the same year after year. Keep their responses tucked away with your fall decor for safe keeping.
9. Thanksgiving-inspired hunt
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving Day is the abundance of delicious food. To get ready for the holiday, print or draw pictures of your family’s favorite Thanksgiving foods and hide them all around the house. Once your child finds them all, have them set the table and chat about what they are most looking forward to nibbling.
Don’t forget the rolls, as you know that’s all children will eat anyway.
10. Crafty hunt
Make your own fall craft masterpiece on poster board or cardboard by using natural materials, like colorful leaves, acorns, pine cones, twigs, bark or grass. Looking for these items engages kids’ imagination and fosters a sense of accomplishment, says Moran. “It’s like a treasure hunt with a twist,” she notes.
Once your child has foraged for their supplies, encourage them to create an autumnal scene and glue it onto their poster board or cardboard.
11. Turkey hunt
Either draw or print out a picture of a turkey with lots of space for feathers. Then, hide red, yellow, green, brown and orange-colored felt or paper “feathers” all around your house. Once your child seeks all of the feathers, they can glue them to the turkey for an adorable fall-inspired decoration.
12. S’mores and hot cocoa hunt
Have your child draw the ingredients they would need to make s’mores and hot cocoa. For example — marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. Then, hide the pictures all around the house or yard for your child to scout out. For a real sweet treat, enjoy these fall favorites together for dessert.
13. Spooky hunt
Allow their imagination to run wild outdoors by mixing up a magic potion. Start with a cauldron — this can be any big bowl, bucket or vessel you may have on hand. Then, have your child seek out the secret ingredients.
Goblin eyeballs (acorns), witch hair (twigs), dragon teeth (rocks), ogre soap (dirt) and Frankenstein fingernails (woodchips).
Lastly, crumble up the secret recipe (lots of dried leaves) and mix the potion together with some water.
14. Scarecrow hunt
Hide old pants, a flannel shirt, a hat, bandana and accessories around your house or yard. Once your child has found all of the clothing, help them build their own scarecrow by stuffing the apparel with straw. Bonus: You’ll create a cute decoration for your front porch.
The bottom line on fall scavenger hunt ideas
No matter which scavenger hunt you choose, know that this fun fall activity provides kids with an educational — and entertaining — experience. As Moran puts it, “As everyone works together to crack clues, solve puzzles and conquer challenges, they’re not just having fun — they’re strengthening their connections and creating lasting stories to share for years to come.”
