Which clue should I read: the riddle or the easy one?

The riddle is for kids about 7 and up and hints at the spot without naming it. The easy clue names the spot outright, for ages 4 to 6 or anyone who gets stuck, and is best read aloud by a grown-up.

Where do I hide each card?

At the stop before the place it describes. For example, the card that leads to the mailbox goes at the stop just before the mailbox. Hand kids the first card to start, and hide the treasure at the last spot.

What if my spot isn't on the list?

Type it into the Clue Generator: it writes three kid-friendly clues for any place, and works offline too.

Are the cards free to print?

Yes. There's no sign-up; use the print button or your browser's print command.

Free printable scavenger hunt clues

Print these 18 clue cards, cut them out, and hide each one at the spot before the place it describes, so every clue kids find sends them on to the next.

Which clues work indoors?

I hum all day and I'm chilly inside. Open my door and look near the milk!
Easy clue: Hop like a bunny, quick as can be — the fridge is where your clue will be!
Sends kids to the fridge · hide it at the stop before
I fill up with water, but I'm not a pool. Look where you splash on bath night!
Easy clue: Run, don't walk, and shout hooray — the bathtub is where the clue does stay!
Sends kids to the bathtub · hide it at the stop before
I'm soft and fluffy and I hold up your head every night. Look underneath me!
Easy clue: Tip-toe, tip-toe, quiet as a mouse — your next clue waits at your pillow!
Sends kids to your pillow · hide it at the stop before
I spin and I spin but I never get dizzy. Clothes go in dirty and come out clean!
Easy clue: One, two, three, four — find the washing machine and look once more!
Sends kids to the washing machine · hide it at the stop before
I have lots of spines but not a single bone. Look between the stories!
Easy clue: Hop like a bunny, quick as can be — the bookshelf is where your clue will be!
Sends kids to the bookshelf · hide it at the stop before
Sit on me, flop on me, lose the remote in me. Check under my cushions!
Easy clue: Run, don't walk, and shout hooray — the couch is where the clue does stay!
Sends kids to the couch · hide it at the stop before
I have hands but I can't clap, and a face but I can't smile. Look near me!
Easy clue: Tip-toe, tip-toe, quiet as a mouse — your next clue waits at the clock!
Sends kids to the clock · hide it at the stop before
I have four legs but I never walk, and dinner sits on top of me. Look underneath!
Easy clue: One, two, three, four — find the kitchen table and look once more!
Sends kids to the kitchen table · hide it at the stop before

Which clues work in the backyard?

Letters come in and letters go out, but today I'm holding something else. Open me up!
Easy clue: Hop like a bunny, quick as can be — the mailbox is where your clue will be!
Sends kids to the mailbox · hide it at the stop before
I have bark but I never woof. Look all the way around my trunk!
Easy clue: Run, don't walk, and shout hooray — the big tree is where the clue does stay!
Sends kids to the big tree · hide it at the stop before
Pump your legs and I'll fly you high. Look under the seat that touches the sky!
Easy clue: Tip-toe, tip-toe, quiet as a mouse — your next clue waits at the swing!
Sends kids to the swing · hide it at the stop before
Climb up my ladder and whoosh down my back. Look at the bottom where you land!
Easy clue: One, two, three, four — find the slide and look once more!
Sends kids to the slide · hide it at the stop before
I'm a long green snake that sprays instead of bites. Look where I'm curled up!
Easy clue: Hop like a bunny, quick as can be — the garden hose is where your clue will be!
Sends kids to the garden hose · hide it at the stop before
Everyone wipes their feet on me, and I never complain. Lift me up!
Easy clue: Run, don't walk, and shout hooray — the doormat is where the clue does stay!
Sends kids to the doormat · hide it at the stop before
I'm full of dirt and proud of it, because something is growing in me. Look around my rim!
Easy clue: Tip-toe, tip-toe, quiet as a mouse — your next clue waits at the flower pot!
Sends kids to the flower pot · hide it at the stop before
I'm where the rake and the lawnmower sleep. Knock on my door!
Easy clue: One, two, three, four — find the shed and look once more!
Sends kids to the shed · hide it at the stop before
I have two wheels, a seat and a bell, and I go wherever you pedal. Look me over!
Easy clue: Hop like a bunny, quick as can be — your bike is where your clue will be!
Sends kids to your bike · hide it at the stop before
I'm a beach with no water. Dig in me!
Easy clue: Run, don't walk, and shout hooray — the sandbox is where the clue does stay!
Sends kids to the sandbox · hide it at the stop before

How do I plan the rest of the hunt?

Read the scavenger hunt guides for ideas by age and occasion, or type your own spots into the Clue Generator.

What else do parents ask?

Which clue should I read: the riddle or the easy one?: The riddle is for kids about 7 and up and hints at the spot without naming it. The easy clue names the spot outright, for ages 4 to 6 or anyone who gets stuck, and is best read aloud by a grown-up.
Where do I hide each card?: At the stop before the place it describes. For example, the card that leads to the mailbox goes at the stop just before the mailbox. Hand kids the first card to start, and hide the treasure at the last spot.
What if my spot isn't on the list?: Type it into the Clue Generator: it writes three kid-friendly clues for any place, and works offline too.
Are the cards free to print?: Yes. There's no sign-up; use the print button or your browser's print command.

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: