Looking for a bit of fun this summer and want to harken back to your childhood? Want to bring your friends and family together in a friendly competition? Then you need to plan a zoo scavenger hunt for adults. While many scavenger hunts may be geared towards kids, that doesn’t mean they can’t still be fun for adults or engaging. If you are looking to have some fun this summer and learn some interesting facts about wildlife then you need to plan a zoo scavenger hunt for adults! Here’s how!
- Do some research
- Have a prize ready
- Don’t forget to include a food scavenger hunt item
- Have a meetup spot afterward
- Make some t-shirts
Do some research
Not every zoo is equal, and not every zoo has the most popular animals. Before heading out this year, make sure to do some research on the best zoos in your area. Some zoos will have limited exhibits or specific animals that are going extinct. Importantly, doing some light research on zoos can help you plan your routes for the competition and lay some ground rules. Depending on the size of the zoo, you may need to arrive early in the morning to complete a long scavenger list, or you may just need a couple of hours to complete the list.
Once you know the best zoos in town and what you can expect to see, you can start mapping out the best routes to take inside the zoo, establish meetup points, and plan when you are going to leave. If you are inviting a big group of people, it’s best to have a detailed list of information such as a zoo map, meetup times, carpooling options to save on parking, and how many people can commit for a day. This will help you determine how to formulate your zoo scavenger hunt for adults.
Scavenger hunts are great group activities, and if you want to turn this hunt into a competition you can split into teams. You can find hundreds of blank and premade templates online and can tailor them to your specific needs. However, if you want to go the extra mile, don’t just have people try to find a specific item on a sheet of paper. Consider mixing clues and riddles into the list to make the game more interesting and fun! These can be as hard or as easy as you want them to be.
Have a prize ready
Why have a zoo scavenger hunt for adults if you can’t have your friends and family battle it out? To bring in some stakes to your scavenger hunt, have a grand prize ready for whoever wins. This can be done in a number of ways. Players can solve extra riddles, complete your scavenger list first, or find secret items. For prize ideas consider some of the following:
- A gift card to a restaurant or store
- A handmaid gift
- A subscription service
- Alcoholic beverages
- A handmaid trophy (for bragging rights)
- And much more!
Don’t be afraid to come up with some wild ideas for a trophy. The goofier the better! You can even turn your trophy into a tradition that everyone adds to as the years go on.
Don’t forget to include a food scavenger hunt item
One of the most overlooked items with it comes to planning zoo scavenger hunts for adults is planning time out to eat food! This is where your research will come in handy! You’ll want to choose a zoo that has some great food options, or crazy drink offerings. Add food items to your list to make sure everyone has a chance to eat while scouring the zoo. Since almost everyone with a phone has a built-in camera, require photo evidence of the delicious food! If the zoo has a special snack or dessert don’t forget to add that to the list as well!
Have a meetup spot afterward
After you’ve completed your zoo scavenger hunt for adults, you’ll most likely be tired and hot and sweaty, which means it’s the perfect time for a photo. Before venturing to your scavenger hunt, make sure everyone knows the meetup spot afterward. You can hand out prizes and regroup before heading out. You can also hit up the gift shop aftward, and commemorate your adventures with a great souvenir.
Make some t-shirts
If you are want to put your zoo scavenger hunt for adults over the top, then you really should consider making some t-shirts for everyone! Creating some custom shirts for everyone can help you document the memory and bring everyone together. You don’t have to go above and beyond for the design. Even a simple logo or phrase can help you remember the hunt and all the fun you and your friends had!
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