Birthday scavenger hunt for adults at home

You found our list of scavenger hunt clues!

Scavenger hunt clues are riddles, questions, puzzles, and hints that lead players through treasure hunts. For example, “if not for me, the birds would live in a hole in a tree” leads players to a birdhouse. The purpose of these riddles is to make scavenger hunts more fun and interesting. These questions are also known as “treasure hunt clues” and “scavenger hunt riddles.”

These clues can be used with virtual scavenger hunts, office scavenger hunts, and online scavenger hunt apps. These hunts are a type of problem solving game and are similar to treasure hunts.

This list includes:

• scavenger hunt clue generator
• Treasure hunt clues for home with answers
• Treasure hunt clues & scavenger hunt riddles for adults
• Outdoor scavenger hunt clues
• Scavenger hunt clues for kids
• Treasure hunt clues for teens
• Difficult scavenger hunt clues
• Easy scavenger hunt riddles
• Rhyming scavenger hunt clues with answers

Here we go!

Scavenger Hunt Clue Generator

We made a fun clue generator for scavenger hunts. Press the button for a random clue.

Treasure hunt clues for home with answers

1. I dry as I get wetter. (Towel)
2. Nothing rhymes with me exactly, and you’d have a pretty hard time making scrambled eggs without my help. (Spatula)
3. The pot called me black. I said “look who’s talking?!” Then, I made some tea. (Kettle)
4. I make bones hard and cookies soft. Babies love me. (Milk)
5. Is it cold in here, or is it just me? Leave me open, and things will go sour really fast. (Fridge)
6. I have blades but I’m not a knife. Want to cool down? Give me a whirl. (Fan)
7. I’m handy for making milkshakes, but don’t put your hand inside of me! (Blender)
8. I don’t mind if you’re snotty. If you have an issue, I’m here. (Tissues)
9. My other side is cool, and there’s a good chance my cover’s covered in drool. (Pillow)
10. I have teeth but no mouth. If a bald man carries me, it’s only for memory’s sake. (Comb)
11. Seeing double? Check me to spot your doppelganger. (Mirror)
12. I have eyes but cannot see. (Potato)
13. I have hands but cannot clap (Clock)

1. You cut me on a table, but I’m never eaten. (Deck of cards.)
2. The building that has the most stories. (Library)
3. I can skip but can’t walk. I’d rather sing than talk. (Record)
4. I can jump but I have no legs. (Jumper cables)
5. I don’t mind a little weight. (Scale)
6. I have lots of stars, but I’m not the sky. I’ll be sitting here quietly until you need me. (TV)
7. Lovely Rita is my maid. You’ll get a ticket if I don’t get paid. (Parking meter)
8. If you don’t spot the signs, then you might have an accident. (Stop sign)
9. I have the most letters. Anyone can add more letters, but only one man can take letters away. (Post box)
10. I greet every guest, but never say a word. (Welcome mat)
11. I used to be a tree, until I traded my roots for routes. I have a rose, but I’m not garden. (Paper map.)
12. The countdown continues! Need to think about this clue? I’ll give you a minute. (Minute timer)

Outdoor scavenger hunt clues

1. I guard the lawn and dream of shrimp. Stumped? Think pink! (Plastic flamingo)
2. If not for me, the birds would live in a hole in a tree. (Birdhouse)
3. Here is my handle, here is my spout. The plants all rejoice when I come out! (Watering can)
4. I’m not the alphabet, but I have letters. I’m not a pole, but I have a flag. (Mailbox)
5. I’m half of the beach, the half without the water. (Sandbox)
6. Most cans don’t have lids, but it would really stink if my can didn’t have me. The bears or racoons might have a nice snack, though. (Garbage can lid)
7. I may look like a snake, but don’t worry– I’m filled with water, not venom. (Garden hose)
8. This is where the tools live, and what a snake does when it’s sick of its skin. (Shed)
9. I’m a bed without sheets, and I’m always dirty. (Flowerbed)
10. Make a wish, but don’t take a drink. (Fountain)
11. Watch where you’re walking. If you step on a crack, you might break your mother’s back! (Sidewalk)

For more outdoor-themed fun, check out this guide to outdoor team building games.

Scavenger hunt clues for kids

1. If you want to eat, then take a seat! (Dining room chair)
2. Most have clothes on the outside, but I have clothes inside. (Closet)
3. The rubber duck is at home here. (Bathtub)
4. I may be a bear, but there’s no need to be scared. I won’t eat you– I can’t even eat! (Teddy bear)
5. I can’t mix batter, but I can bake a cake. (Oven)
6. Are you digging this hunt? No? Maybe I can help you dig it. (Shovel.)
7. I can’t be-leaf how many clues you’ve found. Maybe this hunt’s knot hard enough. This next clue should be a real stumper. (Tree or tree stump)
8. When the snow comes down, I help you go down snowy hills! (Sled)
9. I’m a paste that doesn’t glue. How many times a day do you use me? Two! (Toothpaste)
10. I come in pairs, I’m easy to lose, I go between your feet and your shoes. (Socks)
11. You carry me to a picnic, and I carry everything else! (Basket)

You can use these clues as a part of online classroom games.

Treasure hunt clues for teens

1. Until you get your license to drive a car, I’m your best means of traveling far. (Bicycle)
2. I go up and down, but I never move. (Staircase)
3. You might say I’m popular– I always have the most dates. (Calendar)
4. I’m here to wake you up, but just hit snooze and I’ll shut up. (Alarm clock)
5. Bored? Play me! I have a board, but I’m not boring! (Board game)
6. Nobody ever sees my waves, but I have other ways of grabbing attention. Most often, a loud BEEP! (Microwave)
7. If you’re craving takeout, take me out to help you decide. (Takeout menu)
8. Easy killer. There’s no prize at the bottom of my box, but that is where you’ll find the next clue. (Cereal box)
9. I’m shaped like a donut or bagel, but I prefer soundbytes to mouth bites. (CD)
10. Is this scavenger hunt too intense? Here’s a hint– your next clue is camping out nearby. (Tent)
11. Stay tuned for this next clue. I have strings that can’t be tied. (Guitar)
12. My basket can’t carry a thing, because it has a hole in the bottom! (Basketball hoop)
13. I can carry much more than books. The next clue is in my front pocket, take a look! (Backpack)

Difficult scavenger hunt clues

1. I’m full of holes but can still hold water. (Sponge)
2. The place where today comes before yesterday. (Dictionary)
3. I run around the backyard, but never move. (Fence)
4. This coat can only be put on when wet. (Paint)
5. I begin and end with the letter “e,” and usually only contain one letter. (Envelope)
6. I have a spine, but no bones. (Book)
7. I have keys, but no locks and space, and no rooms. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. (Keyboard)
8. I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. (Candle)
9. I’m made of water but will die if you put me in water. (Ice)
10. I have a neck but no head, yet can still wear a cap. (Bottle)
11. My name means “sightless,” but if you want to see, all you have to do is open me. (Blinds)
12. I can cause love, but that’s not the ideal outcome. I’m always happy to serve. (Tennis racket)
13. A band that doesn’t play instruments, but has plenty of style. (Headband)

Check out more challenging brainteasers.

Easy scavenger hunt riddles

1. If you go out of town, I don’t need a sitter, just someone to leave me food and change my litter. (Cat)
2. I have a bark, but I’m not a tree. When you ask, “who’s a good boy?” the answer is me! (Dog)
3. One of me per day keeps the doctor away. (Apple)
4. You visit me at night to sleep tight. (Bed)
5. Use me once in the morning and once at night, and I’ll keep your smile nice and white. (Toothbrush)
6. Which came first? The chicken or me? (Eggs)
7. I let the outside in, and wear nothing but curtains. (Window)
8. Am I half full, or half empty? Either way, I’m not entirely empty– you’ll find the next clue in me! (Glass)
9. I’m a shape and an instrument. (Triangle)
10. Which came first? The color or the fruit? (Orange)
11. You can run with the clues, but don’t run with me! Rock beats me every time. (Scissors)

Rhyming scavenger hunt clues with answers

1. You sat without looking, and now feel like a rube, because the holder has no paper, only a tube. (Toilet paper roll)
2. You can turn me up high, keep warm, or on low, but no matter the setting, the cooking will be slow. (Crockpot/slow cooker)
3. Put your phone in me after dropping it in water. I also make a cheap and easy dinner, on nights you just don’t want to bother. (Rice)
4. I wash your clothes, but I’m not a machine. Pour a cup full of me if you want your duds clean! (Laundry detergent)
5. I’m always tired but never sleep. If you get sleepy, take a nap in my backseat. (Car)
6. When you see my beauty, you’re likely to gasp. To put me on, just fasten the clasp. (Necklace)
7. When rain’s in the forecast and you don’t want to get wet, grabbing me before you leave the house is a safe bet. (Umbrella)
8. I always stay as still as can be. I have the power to move, but not literally. (Statue)
9. Bread goes inside of me but never comes out. If I start smoking, you’re bound to shout! (Toaster)
10. Rivers have two of me. I have branches but I’m not a tree. (Bank)
11. If you find me in a road, you’ll have a decision to make. If you find me in a drawer, you’ll be ready to eat cake. (Fork)

Final Thoughts

Thinking up good clues for scavenger hunts is often the most difficult part of the game planning process. By using pre-made riddles, puzzles and answers, you can decrease preparation time and get on with the fun. You could even use a scavenger hunt clue generator to help choose the clues. Simply print out and hide these clues, or enter them into your treasure hunt app. If you want to personalize the game, then feel free to write your own clues and hints based on personal trivia.

Then, gather your group, start the clock, and let the treasure hunt begin!

Next, check out this list of DIY escape room ideas, this one with ideas for photo scavenger hunts and these printable templates for holiday scavenger hunts.

We also have a list of the best team building riddles, a list of the best riddles for work, a list of fun scavenger hunt ideas and a guide to lightning scavenger hunts.

FAQ: Scavenger hunt clues

Here are answers to common questions about scavenger hunt clues.

What are scavenger hunt clues?

Scavenger hunt clues are puzzles, riddles, questions, hints and rhymes that lead players to clues during treasure hunts. The purpose of these puzzles is to make the hunt more fun and interesting.

What are some good scavenger hunt clues for kids?

Some good scavenger hunt clues for kids include:

• If you want to eat, then take a seat! (Dining room chair)
• One of me per day keeps the doctor away. (Apple)
• I can’t mix batter, but I can bake a cake. (Oven)
• I come in pairs, I’m easy to lose, I go between your feet and your shoes. (Socks)

When creating treasure hunt clues for kids, keep the language simple and try to choose obvious objects. Also, be sure that the chosen items are not dangerous to children.

How do you write scavenger hunt clues for adults?

Reverse engineering scavenger hunt clues is the easiest way to write great riddles for adults. First, decide where you want to hide your clue, then think up a way to describe that object or location. Many of these riddles rhyme, so after thinking up your item, you may want to find a pair of rhyming words that relate to the object, and write the clue from there.

How do you give treasure hunt clues?

The most common way to give treasure hunt clues is to create a trail, so that the answer to one clue reveals the next one. You can either write the riddle on a piece of paper hidden at the chosen location, or enter the puzzles into an online treasure hunt app that gives clues one by one.

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Team building content expert. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.