Classroom Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Ages 3 to 8 (a Teacher's Guide)

A set of 100 numbered figures turns any classroom into a scavenger hunt. Hide them, and children practise counting, number recognition and teamwork while they search. One set is €19.99, and the Mega Hunt Pack of 300 pieces covers a class of about 25.

Here are five ideas you can run tomorrow, plus the practical details teachers ask about.

What is a classroom scavenger hunt?

It is a search game where children find hidden objects around the room. With a hunt game, the objects are 100 small numbered figures, so you can build lessons around the numbers themselves. Each set includes 4 tracking sheets, which makes it easy to split a class into teams of up to four.

How many figures do you need for a class of 25?

Plan for about 8 to 12 figures per child. For a class of 25 that means roughly 250 to 300 pieces, so the Mega Hunt Pack of 300 is the right size. A single 100-piece set suits a small group, a reading corner, or a rotation station where children take turns.

What can children learn from it?

Quite a lot for one activity. Children practise number recognition as they read the figures, counting and simple sums as they total their finds, and colours and sorting when you mix ducks, turtles and bunnies. Working in teams also builds turn-taking and cooperation. It also gets children moving, which helps focus after a long stretch of sitting. The activity suits ages 3 to 8, with the difficulty set by where you hide the pieces.

What are five scavenger hunt ideas for the classroom?

Pick one to match your lesson:

• Find your number. Give each child a number and have them find that exact figure.
• Count by tens. Teams race to collect ten figures, then ten more, counting as they go.
• Colour teams. Split the class by colour, ducks, turtles or bunnies, and sort the finds at the end.
• Order 1 to 20. Children find figures and line them up in the right order.
• Cooperative full set. The whole class works together to find all 100 before the timer ends.

For the basic rules, see our how to play guide.

What ages does it work for?

It works for ages 3 to 8. The figures are small parts, so keep them away from children under 3 and count them back in after each game. For the youngest classes, hide the pieces in open, easy spots; for older children, add higher and trickier hiding places to stretch the activity.

Does it work for home schooling or after-school clubs?

Yes. The same games work at home, in a small home-school group, or in an after-school club. One set of 100 is plenty for a handful of children of mixed ages, since you can set an easier target for the youngest and a harder one for the oldest in the same round. Because the game is self-directed, children can keep playing with light supervision while you set up the next activity, which makes it a useful filler between lessons.

How do you store and reuse the set between lessons?

The set is made to be used again and again. After each game, count the figures back into the pouch that comes with the set, so you can see at a glance that all 100 are there. Keep the 4 tracking sheets flat in a folder, or photocopy them so children can mark their own. Stored this way, one set lasts for years of lessons, which is what makes it cheaper than single-use activity packs.

Is it safe and easy to clean?

Yes. The figures are printed in plant-based PLA, which is non-toxic and odorless, and they wipe clean with a damp cloth. Store them in the pouch between lessons so none go missing. You can find more detail on our FAQ page.

Where can teachers in Europe buy a set?

We print each set to order in Coimbra, Portugal (EU), and ship across Europe in 1 business day. A class-size Mega Hunt Pack is €49.99, with 30-day returns.