Fun Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt
Last Valentine’s Day I threw together a little scavenger hunt for Ash. Every now and then I try to do something sweet 😉
Although too young to actively participate, our son was the star – as all of the clues were written in his point of view and revolved around him too.
One example was “This is where I like to sit and read…” and the clue was hidden under his Mickey Mouse couch in the playroom where he would pretend read.
Another clue was “I haven’t learned to walk yet, but I love to run” and the clue was in his exersaucer – the little thing where toddlers “run” in circles. 🙂
It turned out super cute, and I had a good laugh watching Ash run around the house looking for the clues. And, getting stumped a few more times than I would have thought.
A New Valentine’s Tradition
A few weeks ago, I was thinking about Valentines crafts and activities and making the scavenger hunt.
So, I dug out the clues and LOVED reading through them – it’s crazy how much kids change so much in one year!
I mean last year our toddler had about a five-word vocabulary and was relying mainly on sign language to tell us “more,” “hungry,” or “sleepy.”
This year, he is speaking in mostly run-on sentences: “No, mommy I don’t like carrots, actually, I would like more rice for lunch for me, please mommy, I really want rice.” :):)
Reading through all of the clues definitely took Ash and I back. So much – that I decided a Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt would be a recurring thing in this household.
There is so much stress and planning and travel involved with Thanksgiving and Christmas that it will be fun to have a special Valentine’s tradition in our family 🙂
This year, our toddler can help make it – or help Ash find all the clues. Or both 🙂
Materials For The Making A Scavenger Hunt
- Card stock or construction paper
- Sharpie
- Scissors – love squiggly scissors
- Prize to go with the last clue
Making A Scavenger Hunt
First, I typed up the clues on the computer, using a cute font with hearts. You can also handwrite them – or have your kids write them.
Then, I printed them out and cut them up using squiggly scissors. I love these scissors because they disguise my lack of being able to cut in straight lines. Next, I glued them to card stock.
Here was the tricky part – labeling the clues so that they are put in the right places. So if the first clue is “This is where I sit and read” and the answer is the couch. This clue is not the one that gets hidden on the couch. The following card will be hidden on the couch.
So, I labeled the back of each card with the place where that card was hidden – NOT with the answer to that question. This made the clues easy to hide.
And, the answers were still labeled (for later re-reading), they were just on the back of the next card.
The last clue can be hidden with a prize. Our last clue led Ash to the mini-fridge in his office (my old dorm room fridge is still humming!), where there was a sweet treat for him 🙂
Binding The Scavenger Hunt Clues
After Ash collected all the clues, I bound them all together using a hole punch in the top left corner of each card, and then a loose-leaf binder ring to keep them together.
This was so much easier and more organized than a rubber band or paper clip because you can flip right through them.
I also use these binder rings to bind together the Christmas cards we received each year 🙂 Love them!
I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s hunt. Our little guy might give Ash a run for his money 🙂
And, I’m sure next year I’ll flip through this year’s clues saying I can’t believe how much our little guy has grown… again 🙂
What a lovely idea and fun, too 🙂
Demi – http://madebydemi.com/
(visiting from Nifty Thrifty Sunday)
Thanks, Demi! 🙂
This looks so fun! And the cards are so cute.
Thanks Cristina! It was easy to put together 🙂
What fun ideas! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party.
Thanks, Helen! 🙂
What an adorable idea! Thanks for sharing. I like that you used a ring to keep the clues from last year all together.
-lauren
Thanks, Lauren! 🙂 I love those rings 🙂
What a sweet idea! Thanks for sharing with us at Share the Wealth Sundays!
Thanks, Krystal!! 🙂
Such a sweet tradition! I can imagine the smiles you must have had from reading through the old clue cards. And putting them all together to keep throughout the years is a fantastic way to remember the little details about your son’s life. (P.S. – I can’t seem to cut a straight line either…even with a proper paper trimmer!)
Awww thanks, Leslie! Yes, I’m sure we will appreciate them even more as time goes on. Haaha I’m the worst with the paper trimmer too!
This is such a cute idea! I think all kids love scavenger hunts. (I’m stopping by from the Mommy Monday linkup.)
Thanks, Leah! They are fun 🙂
This is so cute, I am saving to do with my kids this year
Thanks, Hannah! Aww I hope they love it!
What a GREAT idea!!!!! So many fun memories will come from this!! LOVE!!
Thank you so much, Mrs. U!! :)) We are loving it!
How much fun!! I love this idea. 🙂
Thanks Danielle!:))
Great party ideas!
Thanks Carol!:))
I love this idea! I don’t think I’ll be able to put it all together this Valentine’s Day but I would love to share it with my little guy next year.
Aww thanks Stephanie! Hope he likes it:))
What a great idea! I’ve been wanting to do a scavenger hunt with my kiddos. Thanks for sharing yours!
Thanks Jen! It’s super easy to put together:)
This is really cute, the kids will love it! If you can, come and join The Really Crafty Link Party (http://keepingitrreal.blogspot.com.es/2017/01/welcome-to-the-really-crafty-link-party-54.html). Have a wonderful week!
Thanks, Teresa! Would love to:)
This is such a cute idea. I have three littles girls under 4 that will LOVE this.
Aww thanks, Dani!! It’s such fun:)
This is a really cute idea. It almost makes me wish I had little kids at home – almost! Thanks for sharing at Over the Moon.
LOL Shelley!!! 🙂
LOVE this idea!!
Thanks so much, Cara!!
Scavenger hunts are the best! I made them all the time when the girls were young and they loved them! Sometimes I would just make simple ones on a day we needed something different to do. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Aww that’s a great idea Pamela! Thanks for sharing:)
What a great idea and so much more creative and fun than just a bar of chocolate!
Haha thanks Jen!
What a cute idea, my husband would love it if I did something like this for him. Heck, I’d love it if he did this for me 😀
Thanks for sharing with us on Waste Not Wednesday Link Party!
LOL Toni!! Have a great week!:)
What a great idea. Love the vintage cards.
Thanks Camille :)) Me too!
Thanks, Jess – I sure will 🙂
What a fun idea!
Thanks, Chloe :)) We had a blast 🙂
What an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Anita! It was easy to put together – and lots of fun 🙂
We love scavenger hunts in my family. So much fun for the kids. I had never though about doing one for Valentine’s Day. Great idea! Visiting from This is how we roll Thursdays.
Thanks, Caroline! You could do it for any holiday! A St. Patricks Day one would be fun too 🙂 Find the pot of gold at the end 🙂
What a fun idea! I tend to do little things like this for my kids. I’ll have to get the Hubby in on the action this year. 😉
Haha thanks, Jamie!! Hope you guys have fun 🙂
EEEkkkk! This looks like so much fun!!!
LOL thanks Lil!! 🙂
This is a super cute idea. Pinned and will share with my readers.
Thanks, Pamela!! We appreciate the pin and share :))
What a cute idea for a Valentine’s party. Unfortunately (or not!), my kiddos are all grown up, but they have kids so I’m passing this on. Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design.
LOL, thanks for sharing it, Carol 🙂
This is such a precious family activity! Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.
Thanks so much, Sandra! It really did turn out cute! Looking forward to this years!
This is such a wonderful idea and your cards are so adorable 🙂
Thanks so much Lisa!! 🙂 They were simple to make!
A scavenger hunt for Valentine’s Day sounds like so much fun. I think I’ll try it with my kiddo. He’s 5, and I think he’d get a big kick out of it!
Thanks so much, Donella! I hope he loves it 🙂
Aww thanks so much Theresa!! 🙂
This is so cute! What a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Thanks so much, Vicki!:)
This is such a cute idea for your little boy and you can use it as a guide to see how much he is growing from year to year.
Thanks Mary! Yes it’s crazy how fast they grow:)
Such a cute idea. My grandkids would love it. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm. Pinned
What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing with us at Friday Favorites. I’m featuring you this week.
Thanks so much Jerri! And THANK YOU for the feature:))