National Scavenger Hunt Day
Summer has arrived and families everywhere are finally enjoying a chance to soak up the sunshine! One great way to get outside for some fun is to have a scavenger hunt. May 24 is recognized as National Scavenger Hunt Day, an activity for both young and old that gained popularity in the United States nearly 100 years ago. A fun and entertaining challenge, Scavenger Hunts can promote teamwork and creativity as well.
The History
In the 1930s, American author and gossip columnist Elza Maxwell were nicknamed the “Hostess with the Mostest” in New York social circles. She would create Scavenger Hunts around town for her guests which encouraged them to seek out various items on a list, none of which could be purchased, and race against other players or teams to be the first to find all their items and complete their list. The game has grown in popularity with adults and children alike and is often still recognized as a fun party activity. Scavenger Hunts have grown and nowadays may rely on picture clues.
What is so great about Scavenger Hunts?
Scavenger Hunts encourage healthy competition and can be a good way to bond with family, friends, or even co-workers. They can be created with varying degrees of difficulty and tailored to the youngest of hunters or the most experienced. Scavenger Hunts can be fun entertainment in nearly any environment, from a simple hunt around the home to a big hunt around the neighborhood, or even a city-wide hunt! Some hunts use riddles and can foster creativity and critical thinking as hunters problem solve the clues.
Celebrate the Day!
Celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day by participating in a scavenger hunt. There are several paid Scavenger Hunts available for the local Des Moines area such as Puzzling Adventures or Let’s Roam. A Google search for other areas may yield hunts in other locales. For those looking for a little fun on a budget, feel free to use our free Scavenger Hunt templates and tag #DesMoinesParent in your adventures. Happy Hunting!
FREE Printable Scavenger Hunts for you
Print off one of these three, free scavenger hunts. Click the image below and print!
