Church Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Ward Activities (With Sample Clues)
A church scavenger hunt is a game where children, youth, or families follow clues to find objects, places, or answers, often inside the meetinghouse or around the neighborhood. For wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hunts make great Primary, Valiant, youth, and family activities because they are cheap, active, and easy to tie to the gospel.
A good hunt takes about an hour to set up and half an hour to play. Pick a format, borrow the sample clues, and use the checklist near the end so nothing gets missed on the night.
What makes a good church scavenger hunt?
The best hunts share four traits:
- A clear purpose. Learning the meetinghouse, practicing scriptures, serving neighbors, or simply having fun.
- Age-appropriate clues. Pictures for young children, riddles for older kids, and scripture references for youth.
- Safe boundaries. Define exactly where players may go.
- A meaningful finish. End with a treat, a short devotional, or a reveal.
What are the best church scavenger hunt ideas?
1. Meetinghouse discovery hunt (Primary, ages 3 to 11)
Children find places in the building and learn what happens there: the font, the chapel, the sacrament table, the library, the bishop's office door, and the Primary room. At each stop, a leader explains its purpose in one or two sentences. Great for new children or a Baptism and Confirmation Preparation activity.
2. Scripture clue hunt (Valiant and youth)
Each clue is a scripture reference. Players look it up, and a key word points to the next location. Example: Matthew 5:14-16 ("Ye are the light of the world") leads to a lamp or light switch.
3. Christlike attributes hunt (all ages)
Hide cards describing attributes like charity, patience, and humility, each with a scripture. When found, the group reads it and names a way to practice it this week.
4. Photo scavenger hunt (youth)
Teams drive with adult leaders and take photos of a list of items: a team member helping someone, a church steeple, a flag, a library, a group "human pyramid." Set rules about safe locations and traffic.
5. Service scavenger hunt (youth and families)
Instead of collecting items, teams complete acts of service: write a thank-you note to the bishopric, pick up trash at a park, deliver cookies to a neighbor (with permission), or donate canned food.
6. Book of Mormon journey hunt (Valiant and youth)
Stations represent Lehi's journey: Jerusalem, the valley of Lemuel, Bountiful, the ship, and the promised land. Each station has a short task.
7. Nature hunt (Primary and families)
At a park, find a pinecone, three colors of leaves, a feather, and something that reminds you of the Creation. Read Genesis 1 afterward.
8. Ward member "find someone who" hunt (all ages)
A bingo-style sheet: find someone who served a mission in another country, has lived in the ward 20+ years, knows how to quilt, or was baptized as an adult. Great for ward parties.
How do you set up a church scavenger hunt?
- Get approval and reserve the building through your ward's normal process.
- Choose the type and age group. Use the ideas above.
- Write 8 to 12 clues. Fewer for young children. Test each clue yourself.
- Set boundaries. List rooms or areas that are off-limits, such as the font area or offices, unless a leader is present.
- Assign adults. At least two responsible adults must be present at activities with children and youth; plan one adult with each team for young children.
- Hide clues right before the activity so they are not disturbed.
- Open with prayer and explain the rules.
- End together with a treat and a short discussion about what they learned.
Sample church scavenger hunt clues
| Clue | Answer |
|---|---|
| "I hold water, but no one swims here. Children are baptized when they're eight." | Baptismal font |
| "Bread and water rest here each Sunday under a white cloth." | Sacrament table |
| "Find where we sing 'I Am a Child of God' each week." | Primary room |
| "Look for the place where lessons begin with 'Come, Follow Me.'" | Classroom |
| "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14) | Light switch or lamp |
| "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17) | Kitchen |
| "Where you can borrow pictures, books, and supplies." | Meetinghouse library |
| "Where we play basketball and have ward parties." | Cultural hall |
Be respectful in sacred spaces like the chapel. Many leaders choose to visit those rooms together as a group instead of hiding clues there.
Tips for running a smooth hunt
- Use colors for team clue cards so teams do not take each other's clues.
- Time-limit the hunt (20 to 40 minutes).
- Give every team a prize. Small treats, not trophies; the General Handbook discourages presenting awards or trophies for sports activities, and the same spirit fits here.
- Keep doors open and leaders visible; adults should not be alone with a child.
Do you need permission forms for a scavenger hunt?
A hunt inside the meetinghouse usually does not need written forms. A driving photo hunt or one that moves around town involves travel and traffic risk, so check with your bishopric and consider written permission (General Handbook 20.7.4).
For a hunt that moves around town, you can text parents one Ward Waivers link. They read the details and sign on their phone, and you see who still needs to sign. It does not replace any official form your bishop or stake president asks you to use. Set up your activity.
How do you adapt a hunt for different ages?
- Ages 3 to 7: Use picture clues, keep groups with a parent or leader, and limit the hunt to one hallway or room.
- Ages 8 to 11: Riddles and simple scripture references work well. Let older children read clues to the group.
- Youth: Add time challenges, harder scripture clues, or a service element. Let youth write the clues for a Primary hunt.
- Families: Mix clue types so grandparents and toddlers both have something to solve.
What supplies do you need for a church scavenger hunt?
Most hunts cost almost nothing. A basic kit:
- Printed clue cards (color-coded by team)
- Pencils or pens and a clipboard per team
- Tape for hiding clues
- A timer or phone
- Small treats or stickers for the finish
- Scriptures or the Gospel Library app for scripture clues
- A first-aid kit and a list of parent phone numbers
For photo hunts, each team needs one phone and an adult driver who meets Church travel guidelines.
Printable scavenger hunt setup checklist
- ☐ Building reserved; rooms you will use are unlocked
- ☐ Clues written, numbered, and tested by someone who did not write them
- ☐ Clues placed 30 minutes before start
- ☐ Teams set (mix ages; an adult with every group of young children)
- ☐ At least two adults present, plus one at the finish
- ☐ Off-limits rooms marked (chapel, offices, baptismal font area)
- ☐ Timer and a whistle or bell
- ☐ Small prize or treat for every team
- ☐ Short closing thought ready
- ☐ Clues collected afterward
What is the backup plan for an outdoor hunt?
If rain, heat, or darkness rules out an outdoor or around-town hunt, move it inside: turn each outdoor clue into a picture clue in a hallway, use the cultural hall for the final clue, and swap "find a tree" style items for things in the building, such as a hymnbook or a picture of the temple.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good church scavenger hunt for kids?
A meetinghouse discovery hunt works well. Children follow picture or riddle clues to places like the font, the sacrament table, and the Primary room, and a leader explains what happens at each one.
How do you make a scavenger hunt spiritual?
Use scripture references as clues, hide cards about Christlike attributes, or turn the hunt into a service scavenger hunt where teams complete acts of kindness instead of collecting items.
How long should a church scavenger hunt last?
Twenty to forty minutes is usually enough. Add a short opening and closing with prayer and a treat.
Can youth do a scavenger hunt around town?
Yes, with planning. Use adult drivers who meet Church travel guidelines, set safe locations, and check with your bishopric about written parental permission.
How many adults are needed for a church scavenger hunt?
At least two responsible adults must be present at any activity with children or youth. For young children, plan an adult with each team.
Can we hide clues in the chapel?
Many leaders avoid hiding clues in the chapel out of reverence. Visit the chapel together as a group and explain its purpose instead.
Ward Waivers is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These resources provide general organizational information, not legal advice. Follow current Church guidance, local leader direction, and any required official forms.