How to Host a Virtual Scavenger Hunt + Printable Planning Pack

Grab your best pals, virtually of course, and log in together for a really fun virtual scavenger hunt! Read our post for how to host a virtual scavenger hunt and grab our free printable planning pack to plan your event and keep everything organized! 

How to Host a Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Chances are probably pretty good that you are familiar with (and have possibly even participated in) a scavenger hunt before. The premise is very simple: participants are challenged with a list of items to try to find before the time is up.

But have you ever tried a virtual scavenger hunt?

This is a great group activity to try when you want to enjoy some fast-paced fun but can’t physically be together.

Best Platforms to Use for a Virtual Scavenger Hunt

There are several platforms you can use. Zoom is probably the most popular, just be aware of some of the privacy and safety concerns that have surfaced lately and try to safeguard yourself as much as possible.

Popular video chat platforms that allow multiple users:

• Zoom
• Google Hangouts
• Skype
• Group Facetime 

Note: I am not endorsing any of the above services, simply listing the ones I see used frequently for multi-user video chats.

Planning Your Game

My printable planner has three different pages in it. Here’s how I recommend using them. (You can also watch the video that popped up at the top of this post, in which I will walk you through each page and how we play.)

Virtual Scavenger Hunt Planning Page

This is the page where you (or whoever is hosting the hunt) will plan the items that players will need to find. I recommend choosing 12 items for players to find during your game. Make the more common items worth less points than items that might be a bit more obscure and harder for people to find.

Ideas for Scavenger Hunt Items to Find

Are you stumped for items to list on your planning page? Use my collection of ideas to help! There are 50 suggestions for you to pick from – ranging from very common household items to more illusive, rare items. As I wrote above, I suggest listing the more obscure items under the higher point levels.

You could also host a themed scavenger hunt – think sports, holidays, etc.

Keeping Score

Use the scorecard page to keep track of who is finding the items on your scavenger hunt. Write player/team names under the “player” section. There are 12 boxes (this is why I suggested choosing 12 items for players to find LOL). After each round, record the number of points earned by each player/team under that round’s box.

After the final round, total up everyone’s points. The person or team with the highest points is the winner.

Game Play

Here’s how we play our virtual scavenger hunt:

1. Set a date and time. Choose a platform to use for the video chat. Invite your friends!
2. Use our printable pack (see below) to plan out the items that your participants will be asked to find during the game.
3. Game day! Once all participants have arrived, write player/team names on your scorecard.
4. I recommend using a set amount of time per round of your game.  (For example, give players 2 minutes to find each item and once time is up, move on to the next item.)
5. Set your timer and announce the first item that players need to go find. They need to find the item and bring it back to their camera and show you, the host, to earn the allotted number of points for that round.   As host, you get final say regarding whether each item counts or if it’s too far of a stretch from what you were asking for.
6. Complete all rounds.
7. Total everyone’s points.
8. Announce the winner!

Get the printables

Here are the printables: Virtual Scavenger Hunt Printable Planning Pack

You can grab our printable right here. Simply enter your email address in the box and opt-in to receive our free newsletter.  Check your inbox for this printable, which you will receive as a subscriber bonus. Note: this printable is for personal use only. You may not sell these printables. 

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