Should the hunt be before or after trick-or-treating?

Either works. Before, it's still light and kids are full of energy; after, it's a fun way to wind down while you check the candy haul.

Can we do it indoors?

Yes. Dim the lights a little, use flashlights for atmosphere, and hide clues around the house. Our printable cards include indoor spots.

Can kids wear costumes?

Yes, but take off masks and anything that trails on the ground for the hunt, so kids can see and won't trip.

How many stops should a Halloween hunt have?

Keep it short, especially after dark: a handful of stops is plenty, and fewer for younger kids.

← All scavenger hunt guides

How do you run a Halloween scavenger hunt for kids?

Make it a short, well-lit hunt before or after trick-or-treating, with spooky-sounding clues that lead to treats around the house or yard and a treat bag at the end.

How do you keep it fun, not too scary?

Pitch the spookiness to the youngest hunter. Little ones like friendly ghosts and pumpkins; older kids enjoy creepier riddles and a jump-scare or two. A grown-up walking with the group makes any scare easy to laugh off.

How do you run a scavenger hunt safely in the dark?

Give every child a flashlight or glow stick.
Light the route, and clear trip hazards like hoses, toys and garden tools.
Keep every stop on your own property, away from the road.
Take masks off for the hunt: they make it hard to see where you're going.
Send a grown-up along with the group.

What clues fit a Halloween hunt?

Any clue can turn spooky with a costume change: the shed becomes the witch's hut, the sandbox a graveyard, the fridge the monster's ice cave. Use our printable cards as a base and add a spooky name for each spot.

What's the treasure at the end?

A treat bag for each child, a bowl of candy in a 'cauldron', or a small Halloween toy. If the hunt comes after trick-or-treating, a non-candy prize is a welcome change.

What can I print or use right now?

Printable clue cards Clue Generator Balloon games

What else do parents ask?

Should the hunt be before or after trick-or-treating?: Either works. Before, it's still light and kids are full of energy; after, it's a fun way to wind down while you check the candy haul.
Can we do it indoors?: Yes. Dim the lights a little, use flashlights for atmosphere, and hide clues around the house. Our printable cards include indoor spots.
Can kids wear costumes?: Yes, but take off masks and anything that trails on the ground for the hunt, so kids can see and won't trip.
How many stops should a Halloween hunt have?: Keep it short, especially after dark: a handful of stops is plenty, and fewer for younger kids.

Which other guides might help?

Who makes Hunt Lab?

Hunt Lab is made by Paul Firmin, a parent in Aurora, Ontario, at Firmin Labs. It started as the plan for his own kids’ backyard birthday hunt. More from Firmin Labs for families: