Overview
Looking for a way to liven up your next road trip? Want something to stave off that inevitable question, “Are we there yet?” Try our On the Road Scavenger Hunt. It’s every man for himself as players vie to be the first one to claim a cow, population sign, or specific license plate first. Make up your own hunt to fit your drive, or download our free template to get you started. Taking a bus trip? Let seatmates work as teams. Start your engines, and let the hunt begin!
Age
School-age, Tweens, TeensNumber of Players
2, 3 to 4, 5 to 10Team Division
Every man for himself (individual players)Competitiveness
Either/or (can be played either way)Difficulty
Easy peasy (fun and simple)Indoor or Outdoor
EitherSpace Needed
Small (a clearable open space the size of a 1-car garage)Noise Level
Semi-rambunctiousMess Factor
Clean and tidyPrep Time
5 minutes or lessGame Time Length
30 - 60 minutesSupplies
Setup
1. If you wish to come up with your own scavenger hunt list, you can use our fill-in-the-blank template; otherwise, download and print our “On the Road Scavenger Hunt” list.
2. Using the binder clip, clip one list to a piece of cardboard (if you have clipboards you can certainly use those instead).
3. Give each player a pen and cardboard/clipboard with list.
How to Play
The object of the game is for each player to see and claim (by pointing and announcing the object they have just seen) as many items on the list as they can possibly find in the amount of time it takes to finish the road trip.
1. Play begins as soon as the car starts moving.
2. Players look out the window of the vehicle, looking for items on their list. Should they see an item on their list, they may claim it.
3. To “claim” an item, the player must point to the object, announce what the object is, and receive verification that the item has been seen.
4. Once verification has taken place, the player may check the item off their list.
5. Only one player may claim an item. (i.e., Player 1 sees a school bus, Player 2 cannot claim that bus as well -- they must find their own, different bus).
6. Play continues until someone has found all of the items, or the trip has ended, at which time the number of items are tallied, and the one with the most finds is declared the winner.
Tips
1. It’s not a bad idea to have a “checker,” someone who verifies the item has been seen.
2. Remember, only one person can claim each item on the road. This may be a hard concept for younger kids, so you may need to help them, or pair them up with an older player.
3. It may be fun to reward the winner, with a roadside adventure of their choice. Perhaps they get to choose a roadside stop along the way.
4. If two players call out the same item at the same time, you may want to award a “tie” and let both check it off.
5. Keep play light; don’t let players get so competitive that they start fighting. Remind them that it’s not the order the items are found, it’s the number of items found within the given time frame.
