50 finished clues are below, grouped by where you’ll hide them, so you can build a full hunt without writing a single line yourself. Prefer to build your own from scratch? The four-step method further down works for any object in the house. For the rules of running the hunt itself, teams, timing, safety, see how to run a scavenger hunt — this page is only about the clues. Print a ready-made printable scavenger hunt to skip straight to playing.
A quick safety note: if any part of your hunt goes outdoors, keep an adult supervising and keep every hiding place well away from roads, driveways and water.
50 clues, by hiding place
Kitchen (10)
Fridge. I’m cold to the touch and I hum through the night, I keep the milk fresh and the lettuce just right. Open my door and a light will appear, the clue that comes next is waiting in here.
Microwave. I spin your plate round with an impatient beep, warming your leftovers while you don’t have to peep. Punch in the minutes, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Kettle. I whistle and rumble when water gets hot, filling your mug for a tea or a pot. Lift up my lid, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Cookie jar. I sit on the counter, round-bellied and sealed, guarding the treats that are inside, congealed. Lift off my lid, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
Dishwasher. I rumble and steam behind a closed door, scrubbing your plates till they shine like before. Pull on my handle, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Freezer. I’m colder than winter, I turn water to stone, keeping your ice cream when you’re home alone. Open me quick, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Toaster. I glow orange-hot and I pop with a start, turning your bread into a crispy work of art. Peek down my slots, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Sink. I’m full of water when the dishes pile high, bubbles and suds as the faucet runs dry. Look under my edge, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
Oven. I bake and I roast behind a glass door, turning cold dough into something much more. Open me gently, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Spice rack. I’m lined up in rows, all labeled and small, cinnamon, pepper and cumin stand tall. Pick through my jars, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Living room (8)
Sofa cushions. I’m soft and I’m squishy, you sink right on in, perfect for movie night, snuggled in. Lift me right up, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
TV remote. I’ve got all the buttons to flip through the shows, change the volume wherever it goes. Turn me around, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Bookshelf. I stand up tall, holding stories in rows, adventures and mysteries wherever it goes. Check in between the pages, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Lamp. I glow in the corner when daylight is gone, lighting the room so the evening goes on. Look at my base, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Rug. I lie on the floor, all patterned and flat, warming your toes as you walk, just like that. Lift up my corner, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
Fireplace. I crackle and glow on a cold winter night, warming the room with an orange-red light. Peek on my mantel, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Houseplant. I’m green and I’m leafy, I sit by the light, growing up slowly from morning to night. Check in my pot, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Coffee table. I sit in the middle, low to the ground, holding your mugs and the remote you have found. Look underneath me, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
Bedroom (8)
Pillow. I’m fluffy and soft where you rest your head, tucked in the corner of your cozy bed. Lift me up gently, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Wardrobe. I’m tall and I’m roomy, I hold all your clothes, shirts on their hangers in tidy old rows. Open my doors, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Under the bed. I’m dark and I’m dusty, a place to hide toys, where slippers and secrets make barely a noise. Get down on your knees, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Laundry basket. I’m woven and hollow, I sit in the hall, filling with socks and shirts, one and all. Dig through the pile, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
Mirror. I show you your face when you look my way, hanging up straight at the start of your day. Check on my frame, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Bedside drawer. I sit by the bed, keeping small things at night, glasses and books just an arm’s length in sight. Slide me right open, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Slippers. I’m soft and I’m warm, waiting down on the floor, ready to slide on the moment you’re sure. Peek right inside me, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
Curtain. I hang by the window and block out the sun, swishing aside when the daylight is done. Look behind my fold, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Bathroom (6)
Bathtub. I fill up with bubbles on a long, cozy night, warming you up till your fingers turn white. Peek by my faucet, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Shower curtain. I hang on a rail and I keep the floor dry, swishing aside as the water flows by. Check by my hem, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Toothbrush holder. I stand by the sink, holding brushes in rows, minty and bristly, right under your nose. Look right behind me, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
Towel rail. I hold up the towels all folded and neat, warm and dry waiting for hands and for feet. Check on my bar, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Medicine cabinet. I hide behind mirror, all tidy and small, holding the plasters in case that you fall. Open me gently, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Soap dish. I sit by the sink, a puddle below, holding the soap bar wherever you go. Lift me right up, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
Outdoors (10)
Mailbox. I stand by the road on a post, tall and proud, waiting for letters, quiet in the crowd. Open my flap, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Plant pot. I hold up the flowers, all planted in rows, sitting in sunlight wherever it goes. Dig by my rim, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Swing. I hang from a frame and I sway to and fro, higher and higher, then down here I go. Check on my seat, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Shed. I stand at the back with a creak and a door, holding the tools that you don’t need indoors. Peek on my shelf, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
Doormat. I lie by the door and I welcome you home, wiping your shoes wherever you roam. Lift up my corner, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Trash can. I stand with a lid, out back by the wall, holding the rubbish, container for all. Check by my handle, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Tree. I’m tall and I’m leafy, I sway in the breeze, home to the birds and the buzzing of bees. Look in my roots, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
Hose. I’m long and I’m coiled, all wound on a reel, watering gardens with a satisfying squeal. Check by my nozzle, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Fence. I run round the yard, keeping everything in, wooden and sturdy from the post to the pin. Peek through my slats, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Gate. I swing on a hinge where the pathway begins, latching up tight to keep out and keep ins. Check by my latch, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Car and garage (4)
Glove compartment. I sit by your knees when you’re riding along, holding the manuals and maps, right or wrong. Open me quick, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
Car trunk. I open up wide at the back of the car, holding the bags on a trip near or far. Lift up my hatch, there’s nothing to fear, the next little clue is hiding right here.
Toolbox. I’m heavy and metal, with a latch on my side, holding the wrenches and screws stored inside. Flip up my lid, take a closer look, the next little clue is tucked in this nook.
Garage door. I roll up on tracks with a rumble and hum, opening wide when the car wants to come. Check by my handle, no need to be shy, the next little clue is hiding close by.
Classroom (4)
Pencil sharpener. I sit on the desk with a hole for the tip, turning the handle to sharpen and clip. Check in my tray, give it a try, the next little secret is hidden nearby.
Whiteboard. I hang on the wall, all blank and all bright, filling with letters from morning till night. Peek by my tray, look all around, the next little clue is easily found.
Teacher’s desk. I sit at the front, stacked with papers and pens, watching the classroom again and again. Check in my drawer, take a peek, the next little clue is not far to seek.
Coat hook. I stick from the wall in a neat little row, holding your jacket wherever you go. Check on my peg, reach on inside, the next little clue does not have far to hide.
How to write a rhyming clue in four steps
- Describe the object’s job, never its name.
- Pick a rhyme pair first, before writing the lines around it.
- Two lines of description, then two lines that point to the hiding place and what’s next.
- Read it aloud and cut a syllable if it trips on the tongue.
| Hiding place | Rhyme pair | Line endings that work |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | night / right | “in the quiet of the night” / “you’ve guessed it right” |
| Kitchen | door / floor | “behind the cupboard door” / “close to the floor” |
| Outdoors | high / sky | “reaching up so high” / “under open sky” |
| Garage | side / hide | “tucked in on the side” / “not far to hide” |
Make it match the age
- Under 5 — skip rhymes, use a photo of the hiding place instead.
- 5–7 — one simple rhyming line plus a picture as backup.
- 8–11 — the full four-line quatrains above.
- 12+ — riddles, anagrams and two-step clues hold attention better than a plain rhyme.
Clue formats that aren’t rhymes
Riddles, close-up photos of the hiding place, emoji strings, mirror writing (read with a mirror or against a window), a clue cut into jigsaw pieces, or a simple A=1 alphabet cipher.
Sequencing a hunt so nobody gets lost
Chain 8 to 12 clues, each hidden at the previous answer and pointing to the next, with the last one pointing at the prize. Keep a master sheet so you don’t lose track:
| Clue # | Hidden in | Points to | Backup if found early |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Front door | Mailbox | Reread clue 1 aloud |
| 2 | Mailbox | Fridge | Give a one-word hint |
| 3 | Fridge | Sofa cushions | Point toward the room |
| 4 | Sofa cushions | Wardrobe | Give a one-word hint |
| 5 | Wardrobe | Prize | — |
Ready-made hunts you can just print
Halloween scavenger hunt, Christmas scavenger hunt, backyard scavenger hunt, classroom scavenger hunt, plus rainy day, beach, nature walk and road trip sets, all free from the printable scavenger hunt generator.
The four mistakes that ruin a hunt
A clue that points to the place it’s hidden in, rather than the next hiding place. Paper left outside in the rain, laminate anything hidden outdoors. Hiding places a sibling or pet can raid early. Too many clues for a four-year-old, six or seven is plenty, save the full chain for older kids and adults.
FAQ
How do you write scavenger hunt clues that rhyme?
Describe the object’s job, never its name, pick a rhyme pair first, write two lines of description then two lines that point, and read it aloud, cutting a syllable if it doesn’t scan. The four-step method above walks through each part with examples.
How many clues should a scavenger hunt have?
8 to 12 clues is the sweet spot for most hunts, enough to build excitement without losing anyone’s attention. Fewer than that feels over too fast, more than that tends to lose younger players partway through.
What are good hiding places for clues?
Anywhere an object has an obvious, describable job, a fridge that hums and keeps things cold, a mailbox that waits by the road. The 50 clues above are grouped by room to make picking hiding places easy.
How do you run a hunt for children who can’t read yet?
Swap rhymes for photo clues, a picture of the next hiding place instead of a written verse, so a pre-reader can follow the trail by sight alone. See the age-by-age section above for the full breakdown.
Are there free printable scavenger hunts?
Yes, ready-made themed hunts for Halloween, Christmas, the classroom, the backyard, the beach, a road trip, a rainy day and a nature walk are all free to print, see the full list above.
Ready to hide your first clue? Print a printable scavenger hunt free, or pick any of the 50 clues above and start hiding.