Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas for the Whole Family

Are you looking for a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy?  Look no further than a photo scavenger hunt! This activity is perfect for families with children of all ages and can be customized to fit your family’s interests and location. 

What is a Photo Scavenger Hunt?

A photo scavenger hunt is a game where participants are given a list of items to find or tasks to complete and must take a photo of each item or task as proof of completion. The first team to complete the list wins! This activity is not only fun, but it also encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

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Woman taking picture with camera in park

Occasions to Include A Photo Scavenger Hunt

A photo scavenger hunt is a great way to create lasting memories and bring people together. There are many occasions that would be perfect for a photo scavenger hunt, including:

Birthday Parties

A photo scavenger hunt can be a fun and unique addition to a birthday party. Create a list of items or tasks for guests to find or complete, and have them take photos as proof. It’s a great way to keep everyone entertained and capture some fun memories of the celebration.

Family Reunions

A photo scavenger hunt is a great way to break the ice and get everyone interacting at a family reunion. Create a list of items or tasks that are specific to family members or the location of the reunion, and have everyone work together to complete the hunt.

Youth Group

A photo scavenger hunt can be a fun team-building activity for church youth. Divide participants into teams and have them complete a list of tasks or find specific items around the location. It’s a great way to get kids working together.

School Events

A photo scavenger hunt can be a fun and educational activity for school events. Create a list of items or tasks that are related to a particular subject or theme, and have students work in teams to complete the hunt. It’s a great way to make learning fun and engaging.

Scavenger Hunt Rules

Before starting your photo scavenger hunt, it’s important to establish some ground rules. Here are some suggested rules:

  • Set boundaries for the hunt, such as a specific area or time limit.
  • Ensure everyone stays safe and doesn’t trespass on private property or put themselves in danger.
  • No cheating – all photos must be taken during the hunt, not pulled from the internet.
  • Have a designated time and place to meet at the end of the hunt.
  • Have fun!

Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Girl portrait taking photos to a rose flower for photo scavenger hunt

Now that you have the rules down, it’s time to start brainstorming some scavenger hunt ideas. Here are a few to get you started:

  • Nature Hunt: For this scavenger hunt, participants will need to find and photograph items found in nature, such as flowers, leaves, rocks, and insects. To make it more challenging, you can specify a certain type of plant or insect to find.
  • Around the House: This scavenger hunt is perfect for rainy days or when you can’t leave the house. Participants will need to find and photograph items found around the house, such as a spoon, book, or stuffed animal.
  • Alphabet Hunt: For this scavenger hunt, participants will need to find and photograph items that start with each letter of the alphabet, in order. This can be done inside or outside.
  • Landmark Hunt: For this scavenger hunt, participants will need to find and photograph landmarks in your city or town. This can include statues, buildings, or signs.
  • Color Hunt: For this scavenger hunt, participants will need to find and photograph items of a certain color, such as red or blue. This can be done inside or outside.

How to Change Up A Photo Scavenger Hunt for All Ages

Little girls taking photos on a photo scavenger hunt

For Kids

  • Use pictures instead of words for the scavenger hunt list
  • Add fun tasks like jumping jacks or animal impressions to complete before taking a photo
  • Include items or tasks that are specific to their interests, such as finding a favorite toy or taking a photo of a favorite animal

For Teens

  • Make the scavenger hunt more challenging by adding riddles or clues to the list
  • Set a time limit to complete the hunt to add some friendly competition
  • Allow participants to use creative angles or filters for their photos to make them stand out

For Adults

  • Make the scavenger hunt more difficult by increasing the number of items on the list
  • Add a twist by making all items or tasks related to a specific theme, such as a particular movie or book series
  • Make the scavenger hunt a race to see which team can find all items on the list first

How to Have A Hunt at Home

Cute little childl lying on green lawn and taking a picture

If you’re unable to leave the house, don’t worry! You can still have a fun photo scavenger hunt without leaving your home. Here’s how to do it:

  • Create a list of items or tasks to find around the house. This can include items like a book, a pencil, or a toy.
  • Assign each item or task a point value. For example, items that are harder to find can be worth more points.
  • Set a time limit for completing the scavenger hunt, such as 30 minutes or an hour.
  • Give each participant a camera or smartphone to take photos of each item or task.
  • Once the time limit is up, gather together and tally up the points. The person or team with the most points wins!

However, don’t forget to have fun and be creative with your photos! You can even create a photo album or scrapbook of your scavenger hunt memories. 

Things to Look for on the Hunt

Here are some examples of items or tasks that you can add to your photo scavenger hunt list:

  • A picture of a bird
  • A flower
  • A tree with a swing
  • A statue
  • A sign that says “Welcome”
  • A specific type of insect (ex: ladybug or butterfly)
  • A funny hat
  • A street performer
  • A street vendor
  • A street mural
  • A reflection of a building in a window
  • A dog playing in the park
  • A cat sitting in a windowsill
  • A person riding a bike
  • A person playing an instrument
  • A person reading a book
  • A person doing a yoga pose
  • A person taking a selfie
  • A specific type of food (ex: pizza or ice cream)
  • A street performer

woman taking a photo

A photo scavenger hunt is a fun and interactive activity that the whole family can enjoy. With a little creativity, you can customize the scavenger hunt to fit your family’s interests and location. Remember to establish rules to ensure everyone stays safe and has fun. Get ready to explore and take some awesome photos! Happy hunting! 

If you would like to download a fun (and FREE!) Photo Scavnger Hunt checklist, click here

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