You've just checked into a beautiful hotel for your family vacation. The kids are excited but restless, and you're wondering how to channel that energy into something fun and memorable. The solution? A hotel scavenger hunt that transforms your accommodation into an adventure playground!
Hotel scavenger hunts aren't just for killing time—they create lasting family memories while allowing everyone to explore their temporary home in a unique way. Whether you're staying at a boutique hotel downtown or a sprawling resort, this activity can be tailored to any venue and any age group.
After checking into your hotel, you might notice your kids bouncing on the beds or repeatedly asking when they can go swimming. A hotel scavenger hunt provides the perfect solution to redirect that excitement while giving parents a moment to breathe.
Hotels are naturally filled with unique features, amenities, and hidden corners waiting to be discovered. From the elegant lobby to the bustling restaurants, from fitness centers to swimming pools—every space offers potential treasures for your hunt.
Parents often struggle to find activities that genuinely engage children of different ages. Your teenager might roll their eyes at activities your six-year-old loves, while younger children might get frustrated by challenges designed for older kids. A well-designed hotel scavenger hunt bridges these gaps by including tasks that work for everyone.
"I remember staying in the Wilderness Lodge when I was younger and hunting for hidden treasures one afternoon," shared one Reddit user. "It is literally one of my favorite memories ever from vacation."
The beauty of a hotel scavenger hunt lies in its versatility. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you want, tailor it to your specific hotel, and adjust the difficulty level based on participants' ages and abilities.
Creating a memorable hotel scavenger hunt doesn't require elaborate preparation. Here's how to get started:
Your scavenger hunt list should include items or tasks specific to your hotel. Consider including:
For younger children, keep the list simple with easily identifiable items:
Here's a printable kids' scavenger hunt card perfect for younger participants:
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For older kids and teens, increase the complexity:
This printable teen adventure hunt card offers age-appropriate challenges:
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Before unleashing your family on the hunt, establish some important ground rules:
Safety should always be your top priority. Make sure children understand the importance of hotel etiquette and respecting boundaries.
There are several approaches to conducting your scavenger hunt:
Collection Hunt: Participants physically collect items (only choose items that are freely available, like brochures or amenities).
Photo Hunt: Instead of collecting items, participants take photos of the items on their list. This is often the best option as it doesn't disturb hotel property.
"We did a photo scavenger hunt at our resort last summer," one parent shared. "The kids had a blast taking creative pictures, and we ended up with a fantastic vacation photo album!"
Counting Game: Challenge participants to count specific items throughout the hotel (how many chandeliers, how many blue chairs in the lobby, etc.).
Clue-Based Hunt: Create riddles or clues that lead participants from one location to another throughout the hotel.
The key to a successful multi-age scavenger hunt is including elements that work for everyone:
For Toddlers and Young Children (Ages 2-5):
For Elementary-Age Children (Ages 6-12):
For Teenagers:
For larger families or groups, consider dividing into teams. This approach:
Balance the teams by distributing different ages and abilities evenly. Consider giving younger teams a head start or bonus points to level the playing field.
Every good scavenger hunt needs a reward system! Consider:
Remember, the goal is fun and participation, so ensure everyone feels recognized for their efforts.
Now that you've got the basics down, let's explore some creative ideas to make your hotel scavenger hunt truly memorable:
Consider building your hunt around a specific theme that matches your vacation or interests:
Color Theme: Challenge participants to find items of specific colors throughout the hotel. This works especially well for younger children who are learning their colors. "My four-year-old absolutely loved our rainbow scavenger hunt," shared one parent. "He was so proud when he found something purple!"
Nature Hunt: If your hotel has gardens or is in a natural setting, focus on finding different plants, wildlife, or natural elements.
Historical Hunt: For historic hotels, create a hunt that teaches about the building's past. Have participants find architectural features or learn facts about famous guests who stayed there.
Cultural Hunt: If you're staying internationally, incorporate local cultural elements into your hunt (traditional decorations, language examples on signs, etc.).
Beyond just finding items, consider these engaging challenges:
Staff Interaction: Include tasks that require polite interaction with staff members, such as "Ask the concierge for a local recommendation" or "Find out the chef's specialty."
Skill-Based Tasks: Add challenges that require demonstrating a skill, like "Take a family selfie in the elevator" or "Make a mini-fort using hotel pillows."
Learning Opportunities: Incorporate educational elements by having participants learn facts about the hotel or destination ("When was this hotel built?" or "What famous landmark is closest to our hotel?").
Sensory Experiences: Include sensory challenges like "Find something that makes a pleasant sound" or "Find three different textures in the lobby."
Here's a sample list you can adapt for your own hotel:
For All Ages:
For Ages 6-12:
For Teens and Adults:
While hotel scavenger hunts are tremendous fun, it's important to maintain appropriate behavior:
Making Memories That Last
A hotel scavenger hunt isn't just about keeping kids occupied—it's about creating lasting family memories. When thoughtfully planned and executed, these activities can become cherished vacation highlights that family members talk about for years to come.
"We do a hotel scavenger hunt on the first day of every family vacation now," one family shared. "It helps everyone get familiar with our surroundings, burns off travel energy, and kicks off our trip with laughter and teamwork."
The beauty of a hotel scavenger hunt is its flexibility—it can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. Whether you're staying at a luxury resort or a simple roadside hotel, there are always opportunities for discovery and fun.
By engaging all family members in an exciting exploration of your temporary home, you're creating more than just an activity—you're building bonds, encouraging curiosity, and transforming an ordinary hotel stay into an extraordinary adventure.
So the next time you check into a hotel and hear "I'm bored!" from the backseat travelers, pull out your scavenger hunt list and watch as your accommodation transforms into a playground of discovery and delight. Happy hunting!
That's it! If you need help, do email us at hello@playtours.app
