Halloween Scavenger Hunt kids

Halloween Scavenger Hunts for Kids: Spooky, Silly Fun for the Whole Family

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a group of kids hopped up on candy corn and Halloween excitement, you know the value of a good game that keeps them busy, giggling, and running around with purpose. That’s where a Halloween scavenger hunt comes to the rescue! Whether you’re hosting a big neighborhood bash, a classroom party, or a simple evening with a few friends, a scavenger hunt is the perfect way to sneak a little structure into the spooky chaos.

Over the years, I’ve put together a lot of Halloween hunts from indoor clue-based adventures to outdoor pumpkin searches in the backyard. Some were a hit, some not so much (there was that one year where the “mystery goo” clue turned into a slime explosion… whoops). So I’ve gathered the best of the best here for you. These ideas are tried, tested, and absolutely loved by kids from toddlers to tweens.

So grab your flashlight, some plastic spiders, and that ever-growing pile of candy… it’s time for some hauntingly good fun!

Why Scavenger Hunts Work So Well at Halloween

Let’s be honest: Halloween is already wild. Between the sugar, costumes, and excitement, kids are bouncing off the walls. Scavenger hunts give them something active to do, but with a clear purpose and that’s gold when you’re trying to avoid the chaos tipping into total meltdown.

They’re also super versatile! You can make them spooky or silly, long or short, clue-based or visual. And the best part? You don’t need to spend a lot of money or prep time to make it memorable.

Indoor Halloween Scavenger Hunt (Great for Small Groups)

Perfect for: rainy nights, classroom parties, or cozy evenings at home

How it works:
You’ll hide themed clues around the house that lead kids from one spot to the next. At the end? A spooky prize or treat bag!

Set-up tips:

Use printed clue cards or handwritten notes
Include simple riddles or rhymes kids can solve on their own
Place clues in common spots (under the couch cushion, inside the fridge, in a trick-or-treat bucket)

Example clues:

“I’m chilly and cold, I help food last. Find your next clue where veggies are cast!”
(fridge)

“Monsters hide and goblins creep… your next clue lies where you sleep!”
(bedroom)

“Ghosts like snacks and candy too check the place you find a chew!”
(snack cupboard)

Prize ideas:
Mini Halloween books, glow sticks, candy bags, sticker sheets, or a Halloween-themed toy

Pro tip:
Have each clue number-coded (Clue #1, Clue #2…) so if kids get stuck, you can nudge them without spoiling the whole thing.

Outdoor Halloween Treasure Hunt (Perfect for Parties)

Perfect for: backyard gatherings, school events, neighborhood playdates

How it works:
Hide Halloween-themed items around your yard or park. Give kids a list of what they’re hunting for think of it like a festive, spooky Easter egg hunt!

What to hide:

Mini plastic pumpkins
Toy spiders or bats
Mini skeletons
Halloween erasers
Witch fingers
Glow-in-the-dark eyeballs
Candy wrapped in orange or black

How to play:

Give each child a small bucket or bag
Hand out a checklist or picture sheet (especially great for non-readers!)
Set a timer (10–15 minutes is perfect)
Kids race to find one of each item or as many as possible

Add a twist:
Make some of the hidden items worth extra points. Example: if they find a “golden pumpkin” (aka a painted one), they get a bonus prize!

Pro tip:
Play this one just before dark and let the kids use flashlights or glow bracelets for extra fun!

Trick-or-Treat Clue Hunt (For Halloween Night)

Perfect for: replacing traditional trick-or-treating or adding a twist to it

Sometimes you just want a quieter night at home or need an indoor option, especially if your little ones aren’t quite ready for the full trick-or-treat circuit. Enter: the Trick-or-Treat Hunt!

How it works:
You hide candy in different rooms (or corners of the yard) and leave a trail of clues that leads them to each treat. It’s like trick-or-treating… with puzzles!

Example Clue Chain:

“You don’t need a broom to fly, just look where socks and shoes lie!”
(shoe rack)

“A ghost was here he left in a dash. Check the spot where you throw out trash!”
(bin)

“Witches love to stir their brew look inside where we find shampoo!”
(bathroom)

You can keep it as simple or tricky as you like depending on your child’s age.

Haunted Photo Hunt (Fun for Tweens & Older Kids)

Perfect for: older kids who love a challenge, Halloween sleepovers, or group play

How it works:
Give each team a photo list of spooky things to find or do. They have to take a picture of each one using a phone or tablet. You can do this in your home, backyard, or even a safe stretch of neighborhood.

Sample photo hunt ideas:

Take a selfie with a jack-o’-lantern
Find and snap a photo of a black cat (real or decoration!)
Take a spooky group pic pretending to be zombies
Snap a photo of a spider web
Take a photo near something orange
Capture someone doing their best witch cackle

Winner: The team with the most completed photos in 20 minutes wins a prize!

Pro tip:
Make sure to set boundaries for how far they can go and have an adult with each group, especially if you’re playing in the neighborhood.

Printable Halloween Hunt (No Prep, Just Fun!)

Perfect for: classrooms, parties, or when you need a last-minute activity

This is your “I forgot to plan something” lifesaver! Just print out a Halloween scavenger hunt sheet and hand it out. Kids cross off each item as they find it around the room, house, or party space.

Things to include on your printable:

Witch hat
Jack-o’-lantern
Spider
Black cat
Cauldron
Skeleton
Candy corn
Ghost
Broomstick
Candy wrapper

You can make it visual (with pictures) for little ones or written for early readers.

Pro tip: Laminate the sheets and hand out dry-erase markers to reuse again and again!

Tips to Make It Extra Special

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that take a simple scavenger hunt from fun to unforgettable:

1. Set the spooky mood

Play Halloween music in the background. Add a fog machine if you’ve got one, or just dim the lights and let the kids use glow sticks and flashlights!

2. Dress the part

Encourage kids to wear costumes while they play. It makes everything feel more magical and makes for adorable photos.

3. Give everyone a win

While competition can be fun, make sure no one walks away empty-handed. Even if you give out “Best Costume,” “Creepiest Cackle,” or “Fastest Ghost” as silly titles it makes every child feel included.

4. Snap some memories

Take lots of photos! Print them out or send them to parents afterward it’s such a sweet way to remember the night.

Scavenger hunts are such a special way to bring a little extra magic to Halloween. Whether you go big with outdoor props or keep it cozy and simple inside, kids will remember the laughter, the mystery, and that little thrill of solving each clue. It’s the kind of fun that doesn’t just keep them busy it brings everyone together.

So if you’re looking for something that’s fun, festive, and full of joy (without requiring hours of prep or a Pinterest-worthy setup), a Halloween scavenger hunt might just be your new October tradition.

Happy haunting, and may your candy bowl always stay full!