Are you ever in the mood to do something completely different? We’ve got the perfect suggestion: Scavenger hunts are a great way to inject some creativity and activity into any gathering at any time of year. But, because we’re obsessed with Halloween here, let’s talk about how to make an imaginative and immersive Halloween-themed scavenger hunt!
Customize Your Theme
One of the best things about scavenger hunts is how customizable they are. You pick the spooky theme, the location, the overall atmosphere, and you craft the clues and the prize. You can make your scavenger hunt as straightforward or as involved as you like, but proper planning will ensure that it’s fun and engaging for everyone.
First, think of a theme that fits your audience. It can be a generic Halloween-themed hunt, or you can design something more creative and niche like a spooky murder mystery theme. Think of your audience and what they will enjoy.
Tell a Story
Once you’ve picked your theme, you can start writing a small story for your guests’ scavenger hunt. This story can be as elaborate or as brief as you like, and it should show off your creativity. Think of the story as the opportunity to set the scene for the entire experience and the world you want them to inhabit. This story will also determine what kind of clues they find at each of their stops throughout.
Scavenger hunts benefit from having a guide or a host, so you can use this as an opportunity to dress up in costume and help lead your guests along. You can help reinforce the story, the atmosphere, and even provide hints to the clues if they get stuck.
It’s also important to figure out where you want your guests to start and where you want them to finish. For example, do you want them start in the woods and end up at the witch’s house? Or, is one of your guests a werewolf and the others have to figure out who it is before the moon rises? Crafting your story first will help shape the clues you create.
Write Out Your Clues
The clues you place for your guests could be objects or even scraps of paper that direct them from one point in the story to the next. These clues can be simple directions or a more involved riddle that will require your guests to work together to find the solution. Your guests should spend most of the scavenger hunt solving the clues and generally enjoying each other’s company.
Pick a Location
Find a spooky location that fits your theme. Scavenger hunts can be really fun and engaging when they are outdoors, especially in an interesting or scenic area. But, you can also just use a backyard or the inside of your house. Whatever location you choose, you’ll want to decorate properly to create a fun and immersive atmosphere.
Decorate Your Location
This is obviously easier to do when you have a scavenger hunt at your own home. But, you could also decorate another location, like a park, as long as you plan accordingly.
Now it’s time to think of what decorations you need to set the mood for your Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. A traditional, Halloween-themed scavenger hunt might need traditional Halloween decorations. But, there are lots of other fun and scary options, like a vampire-themed, monster-themed, creepy doll-themed, or a witch-themed scavenger hunt. The spooky possibilities are endless!
Now that you have some decorations to create the scene it’s time to think of ways to bring your environment to life with themed music, lighting, and food. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to decorating for your scavenger hunt. The more details you put into the decor, the more complete the experience will be.
Costumes Required
Asking your guests to wear thematic costumes to the scavenger hunt is a perfect way to build anticipation in the days leading up to it. When your guests arrive to a decorated environment, in costume and in character, it sets an incredible mood! Costumes will make your event more memorable and your pictures from the night even better.
Plan a Special Ending
Because we’re talking about Halloween-themed scavenger hunts, regardless of the time of the year, we suggest you include small surprises or jump scares throughout, or at the conclusion of your hunt. This ensures you have an appropriate climax to tie the whole spooky event together.
Don’t forget, after the scavenger hunt is over, you and your guests can still hang out in character while enjoying some themed snacks and drinks. This is a perfect way to keep the spooky, Halloween-themed fun going.
Have you ever planned a scavenger hunt? How about a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt? Show us your ideas @spirithalloween on social media.
