You found our list of virtual scavenger hunt ideas.
Virtual scavenger hunts are online game where participants compete to solve some challenges within a given time. Examples include a Christmas scavenger hunt, a scavenger hunt for students, and an outdoor scavenger hunt. Virtual scavenger hunts aim at helping remote teams to connect, have fun, and build problem-solving skills.
These challenges are examples of online team building games, virtual games for large groups, and free virtual team building activities.
This list includes:
- holiday virtual scavenger hunts
- free virtual scavenger hunts
- virtual scavenger hunts for adults
- virtual team scavenger hunts
Let’s begin!
List of virtual scavenger hunt ideas
Here is a list of ideas for virtual scavenger hunts to get remote workers up and moving.
1. Online Christmas scavenger hunt
An online Christmas scavenger hunt is among the most popular holiday virtual scavenger hunts. This game is fun and fosters joy around the Christmas season. In addition, online Christmas scavenger hunts can help participants find items to add to the Christmas decor and themes.
Here is a sample prompt.
Find the following items:
- Circular door wreath
- Gingerbread house
- Paper snowflakes
- Christmas card from the current year
- Scented Christmas candle
- A pine branch
- Shiny Christmas ornaments
- Handmade Christmas decoration
- Christmas stocking
- An elf on a shelf
- Wrapped Christmas gift
- Santa’s hat
- Ugly Christmas sweater
- Candy cane
- Christmas tree topper
- A packet of chestnuts
- A strip of tinsel
- Cinnamon
- A small sleigh
- Christmas lights
- Mistletoe with berries
- Green ribbon
- Snowman
An online Christmas scavenger hunt is an effective exercise for remote teams to gather objects like Christmas decorations, holiday delicacies, and gift wrappers.
Also, you can modify this list to include unique Christmas items to your region. For example, folks in North America can quickly locate a cup of hot cocoa, while it would be more practical for players in Australia to get a seafood dish.
2. Virtual Easter scavenger hunt
A virtual Easter scavenger hunt is among the best spring games to kill boredom among remote teams. This game’s prompts may include finding Easter-related items or engaging in Easter traditions.
Here is an example:
Record a short clip for the following activities:
- Attending an Easter parade
- Planting flowers
- Dancing in new Easter clothes
- Smelling fresh roses
- Taking a selfie with a baby bunny
- Participating in an Easter egg race
- Coloring Easter eggs
- Chasing after bunnies
- Taking part in egg rolling
- Eating an Easter brunch with family
- Decorating egg-shaped cookies
- Children playing Easter basket scavenger hunt
- Exchanging Easter baskets with neighbors
- Dyeing Easter eggs
- Giving snacks to bunnies
For extra fun, ask participants to appear in the clips instead of downloading videos from the internet. To make this activity more doable, allow the team more time, for example, one to three days. This duration should be sufficient for participants to capture more live clips. Teams can divide and conquer, with each group member filming a few tasks from the list.
3. Virtual Halloween scavenger hunts
A virtual Halloween scavenger hunt is an exciting way for remote teams to celebrate Halloween. The holiday marks various celebrations in different parts of the world, for example, the end of harvest and the eve of All Souls Day. Despite these regional and cultural differences, participants can always play Halloween scavenger hunt using familiar prompts.
Here is an example:
Share a photo of the following:
- Lit candles
- Bonfire party
- Candied apples
- Skull mask
- Black cats
- Hanging bats
- Spiders
- Pumpkin soup
- Jack-o’-lantern
- A packet of corn candies
- Folks dressed in Halloween costumes
- Mummy costume
- Wizard’s hat
- A broom
- An owl
- Cobwebs
Incorporating some Halloween traditions can make the Halloween scavenger hunt more interesting. For example, asking part of the team to decorate their space in orange and black or organizing pranking games for the rest of the group. In addition, you can ask participants to attend video conferences while wearing their scariest Halloween costumes.
4. Virtual office scavenger hunt
A virtual office scavenger hunt is one of the top virtual scavenger hunts for adults. This exercise can increase employee engagement in remote teams and help employees to maintain strong bonds despite the distance.
Here is a sample.
Show the following office items on the screen:
- Pen holder
- Eraser
- A paper folder
- Planner
- Snack box
- Sticky notes
- Stapler
- Thumb pins
- Colored labels
- Water bottle
- Highlighter
- Shredded paper
- Tea mug
- Potted plants
- Paper calendar
- Phone stand
- Speakers
- Laptop sleeve
- Headphones
- Business cards
A virtual office scavenger hunt game is a great online option to help team members relieve work stress and burnout. In turn, employees may feel refreshed and end up being more productive.
5. Online Thanksgiving scavenger hunt
An online Thanksgiving celebration is one of the best ways for remote employees to share the events they are thankful for from that year. A Thanksgiving scavenger hunt adds more fun to a virtual Thanksgiving celebration.
Here is a sample.
Locate and show the following clues on the screen:
- Turkey meat
- Maple leaves
- Pilgrim hat
- Wishbone
- Pinecone
- Gravy bowl
- Red apple
- Acorn
- Umbrella
- Woven baskets
- Neck scarf
- Corn
- Thanksgiving rolls
- Scarecrow
Participants can vary these prompts by taking photos of Thanksgiving activities such as family dining, community pumpkin picking, and cider drinking with friends.
In addition, an online Thanksgiving celebration is a great platform to appreciate team members’ hard work and cooperation throughout the year.
6. Virtual scavenger hunt for students
A virtual scavenger hunt for students is one of the best exercises for remote learners. Combining this game with learning activities can help students better understand complex concepts.
Below is a suitable sample for young learners.
Find an object with the following description:
- Something white
- Something sharp
- Something that smells nice
- Something shiny
- Something that can float on water
- Something you can write on
- A triangular object
- Something rough
- Something you can drink
- Something squishy
- An item you can fold
- An object with wheels
- An object that can bounce
- Something transparent
- An object you like
- Something made of plastic
- Something clean
- A furry item
- Something light
- Something that can fit into a school bag
Virtual scavenger hunt for students is a great way to have learners develop social skills. You can make the game enjoyable by considering different themes such as science, nature, geometry, and vocabulary. As a rule of thumb, always develop challenges that suit learners’ age and capacity.
7. Virtual indoor scavenger hunt
A virtual indoor scavenger hunt is one of the best virtual scavenger hunt ideas to play with friends, colleagues, or family. This activity requires participants to locate items around the house, office, or within the premises.
Here is an example.
Find and show these objects on the screen:
- Book
- Pair of fluffy socks
- Glass of water
- Matchbox
- Potted plant
- Beanie
- Old brush
- Soft toy
- Wall clock
- Framed photo
- Toolbox
- Favorite mug
- Mirror
- Cushion
- Fruit
- Paper napkin
- Rug
- Flower
- Coins
You can also try to make a virtual indoor scavenger hunt more physically engaging to keep members extra active. For instance, allocate specific time to each item instead of giving participants the entire list to see who gets the highest number of items. This way, the game will be fast-paced and more fun as members scramble to be the first ones to find each item.
8. Online digital scavenger hunt
An online digital scavenger hunt is among the most fun virtual team scavenger hunts. This exercise involves solving clues from participants’ smart devices. The prompts will require players to do tasks or search for items from phones, PCs, or tablets. Finally, participants will screenshot the result and share them with the rest of the team.
Here is an example.
Share a screenshot of the following:
- Your device’s current wallpaper
- Favorite app
- Photo memory of the same week last year.
- First picture on your photo gallery
- Current screen
- Favorite search page
- Icon of your favorite browser
- Current weather report
- Notification bar
- Work or class email inbox
Or, take a screenshot of the following tasks:
- Go to settings, change your wallpaper, and then share the before and after.
- Go to the YouTube page, type your first name, and then share the suggested results.
- Go to your most-used search engine, for example, Google, Bing, or Yahoo. Next, type the word ‘team’ on the search bar and then share the page suggestion list.
- Visit any shopping app on your device. Next, click on the first item that captures your eye, and then share the results.
- Share an interesting ad that pops in any of your searches.
- Search the word ‘ice cream’ on a free picture site, like Pixel. Then, select the image of the ice cream that would fascinate you the most and share it.
- Search an online restaurant and share their virtual snack menu.
- Select the app you prefer for fitness and exercise routine. Next, share some of your achievements on that app.
- Share a past video of you and your pet.
The virtual digital scavenger hunt is a great option for virtual icebreakers and virtual onboarding sessions. In addition, this game can provide participants with many engaging discussion topics.
9. Virtual outdoor scavenger hunts
A virtual outdoor scavenger hunt is a great way to encourage remote teams to change their environment. Tasks and responsibilities can confine the team members indoors, but this game can be a fulfilling getaway.
One of the best ways to play an outdoor scavenger hunt virtually is by using your mobile phone or tablet to photo-capture the required objects.
For example,
Capture a selfie showing the following prompts:
- Interesting graffiti
- Funny looking fire hydrant
- Empty nest
- Unique trash can
- Funny billboard
- An interesting shop name
- Branded truck
- Odd-looking tree
- Freshly mowed lawn
- Unique flower vase
- Cute dog
- Creatively designed park bench
- Cool-looking mailbox
- Funny street signage
- Brick wall
- Poor car parking
- Abandoned bicycle
- Rare-to-find item
- Beautiful house
Virtual outdoor scavenger hunts are engaging activities that can help participants to improve their moods and get sunshine.
10. Virtual tour scavenger hunts
A virtual tour scavenger hunt combines the elements of a virtual tour and the scavenger hunt game. This exercise is excellent at ensuring that participants are paying attention.
Here is a sample.
Take a screenshot of the following Museum views:
- Stuffed animal
- Cultural dance
- Ancient city
- Wooden carving
- Traditional attire
- Wagon
- Animal skull
- Ancient weapon
- Caveman
- Painting
- Metal sculpture
- Mosaic
- Glass display
- Waiting lobby
- Large animal skeleton
- Musical instruments
- Wall carvings
- Religious artifacts
- Animal horn
- Sea animal
The hosts can make the session more engaging by sharing the prompts via email. This idea will help participants to familiarize themselves better with the clues. Players will then use their devices to screenshot the prompts whenever they appear.
Virtual tour scavenger hunts are among the top ways to enhance learning for work and school teams. At the end of the virtual tour session, participants can share the images on the screen and discuss the significance of those prompts.
This exercise is among the most hands-on virtual scavenger hunt ideas, and helps get remote workers out of the house!
11. Online food-themed scavenger hunt
An online food-themed scavenger hunt Is among the best free virtual scavenger hunts. This Interesting exercise can help team members better understand one another’s food preferences.
Here is an example.
Find and show the following items:
- Something likely to be a part of the next meal
- A vegetable you hate
- Packet of pasta
- A spice that cannot miss in your house
- Something you can use as a sweetener
- Something you could take cold
- Favorite coffee brand
- Something that would go well with chicken
- Salty snack
- Sweet snack
- Something you would spread on your toast
- Food you can eat without cooking
- Highly stocked item in the pantry
- Last item you put in the fridge
- Unique food item
- Ripe fruit
- Something you rarely eat
- Food you might get addicted to
- Something that may cause you an allergy
- An ingredient of your favorite dessert
- Something you can cook like a professional chef
- Food containing whole seeds
A virtual food scavenger is a fun game for participants operating from home. In addition, you can use this activity to educate team members on healthy eating habits.
12. Funny online scavenger hunt
Funny online scavenger hunts are one of the most entertaining virtual scavenger hunt ideas. These games include challenges that will likely amuse participants. These clues can fall anywhere from humorous to bizarre ideas. The game’s main aim is to put players at ease.
Here is an example.
Find and share the following clues on the screen:
- Imagine you are locked in a room. The only stuff you can access are the things within your arm’s length, and does not include the keys. Which object is likely to help you open the door?
- An interesting clip of you and your child or pet.
- A snack you are likely to hide so that you do not have to share with family members, classmates, or colleagues
- An interesting item you own, and is made of recycled materials
- A funny childhood photo
- Something you really like but your friends or family find childish.
- Something that has ever made you cry and other folks thought it was funny
- A childhood toy you still keep
- A weird item someone gave you
You can create funny online scavenger hunt prompts from multiple themes, as long as players enjoy the challenge. This exercise goes well with team events like virtual birthday parties and online happy hours.
Conclusion
Virtual scavenger hunt ideas are engaging team building exercise for remote teams. You can customize this online game using themes like food, outdoor, office, and holiday clues. Participants can solve the challenges by grabbing an item and showing it on the screen, capturing the object’s image and sharing it in the chat section, and sharing required video clips on a split screen.
In addition, virtual scavenger hunts are among the best ways to increase facetime among remote team members. This one-on-one interaction benefits teams, including improved social relations, happier teams, and better productivity.
Read about Microsoft Teams games.
