Katrena's Scavenger Hunt #1 for Teachers

Scavenger Hunt for Teachers by Katrena

So, you're a teacher looking for a quick and fun indoor activity for your students? I've got you covered with this fast and super simple scavenger hunt.

I have designed two sets of clues for this hunt. The first set has the answers to the riddles and would be well suited to the younger kids who cannot yet read. Of course, you can still have the younger ones guess - you'll just have the answer if you get stumped! The second set has blanks so that the kids can guess the rhyming word before beginning to search. Each set has a printable graphic and I've included the tables of clues at the bottom as well.

This scavenger hunt has ten clues. If you have more or less than ten children in the class, you might want to pair the kids or have them work together in groups to solve and find the clues.

Preparation while the kids are out of the room:

1. Print the desired clues - click on the image and click on file-print.
2. Cut out the clues and hide all but clue #1, placing #2 in the answer for #1, #3 in the answer for #2, etc.
3. Print certificates and customize each with a child's name.

When the kids return, explain your rules for the hunt and begin by reading the first clue (or having the first child/group to read the first clue). Hide the last clue near the ceiling – you might want to tell everyone not to say anything until everyone sees that last clue. Then surprise the kids by presenting them with their very own scavenger hunt certificate!

Scroll to the bottom of this article to find the comment box. See more of Katrena's scavenger hunts, printables, and tips at the Wildflower Bouquets site map. Happy hunting!

Free Scavenger Hunt for Young Kids with Rhyming Clues by Katrena

Free Treasure Hunt for Teachers with Rhyming Clues by Katrena

Scavenger Hunt Rewards for a Job Well Done by Katrena Certificate Graphic from Art Explosion 300,000

CLUE #1 You have two hands, You have two feet. The first clue is under Somebody's seat!	CLUE #2 Ears help you hear, Eyes help you look. Find your next clue Near a favorite book.
CLUE #3 Some people live in an apartment, Other people live in a house. Find this clue near The teacher's computer mouse.	CLUE #4 Cats say meow, Cows say moo. The next clue is on the bottom of somebody's shoe.
CLUE #5 Do you see rain, clouds, Sunshine or maybe snow? Discover the next clue Close to the window.	CLUE #6 Touch your nose, Touch the floor. Search for the next clue Near the door.
CLUE #7 A monkey swings and climbs, A duck swims and flies. The next clue is hiding Near the art supplies.	CLUE #8 A story that teaches a lesson May be called a fable. Who can find the next clue Under a table?
CLUE #9 Don't get frustrated! Don't get grumpy! Just search for the next clue Near someone's cubby.	CLUE #10 Do you eat from a plate? Do you drink from a cup? Don't look down for the next clue... Simply look up!

CLUE #1 You have two hands, You have two feet. The first clue is under Somebody's ____!	CLUE #2 Ears help you hear, Eyes help you look. Find your next clue Near a favorite ____.
CLUE #3 Some people live in an apartment, Other people live in a house. Find this clue near The teacher's computer _____.	CLUE #4 Cats say meow, Cows say moo. The next clue is on the bottom of somebody's ____.
CLUE #5 Do you see rain, clouds, Sunshine or maybe snow? Discover the next clue Close to the ______.	CLUE #6 Touch your nose, Touch the floor. Search for the next clue Near the ____.
CLUE #7 A monkey swings and climbs, A duck swims and flies. The next clue is hiding Near the art ________.	CLUE #8 A story that teaches a lesson May be called a fable. Who can find the next clue Under a _____?
CLUE #9 Don't get frustrated! Don't get grumpy! Just search for the next clue Near someone's ______.	CLUE #10 Do you eat from a plate? Do you drink from a cup? Don't look down for the next clue... Simply look ___!

How to Make a Piñata With a Splash of Bright Colors

How to Make Easter Pinata © Katrena

When my 11-year-old daughter announced that her homework assignment for Spanish class was to make an Easter-themed pinata, I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive. Although I like crafts, this one was for a grade, and I certainly didn't want to steer my child in the wrong direction! My daughter wanted her pinata to look like a striped Easter egg, so we learned how to do this project together.

We rather rapidly learned what does not work. I would not suggest mixing rice flour and water for your bonding agent. Regular wheat-based flour might work, but rice flour does not have adhesive qualities like wheat-based flour. Our plan B had much better results as we tried plain old white school glue mixed with a little water. Frankly, I didn't measure, I just squirted about four tablespoons of glue and added a little bit of water. We covered the bowl of glue/water mixture each day and did not have any problems with the mixture drying or evaporating. We just stirred the mixture with a plastic spoon before starting each day.

If you are going to make a pinata, plan to work on it for several days. I banned my two younger daughters from touching the project and surrendered to a messy kitchen for a week, but we all survived and my 11-year-old was the proud creator of a colorful egg-shaped pinata at the end.

Supplies for Making Pinata © Katrena

Supplies

• Balloon
• Yarn
• Hanger
• Large bowl
• Large trash bag
• Newspapers
• Long container
• White school glue
• Water
• Colored tissue paper
• Scotch tape
• Scissors
• Packing tape
• Hole punch
• Toys, candy, etc. for filling the pinata

Steps for Making Pinata © Katrena

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Blow up the balloon to the desired size and tie a knot to keep the air in the balloon.
2. Tie the yarn on the balloon's knot, then create a loop in the yarn and tie again.
3. Hang the yarn loop over the hanger and suspend the balloon over your work surface.
4. Cover the bowl with the trash bag and place under the balloon.
5. Line your work surface with newspaper - this project can get a bit messy.
6. Mix glue and water in the long container.
7. Tear the newspaper into strips and submerge each into the glue/water mixture.
8. Place the wet newspaper strips onto the balloon in a criss-cross fashion, making sure to leave about three inches at the top of the balloon uncovered. (See photo below.)
9. Let the first layer dry - it will take hours for each layer to air dry completely.
10. Repeat the layering process until you have about three to eight layers.
11. Cut the colored tissue paper in half and then fold in half lengthwise.
12. Create a quick "fringe" look by cutting the tissue paper, starting at the open edge and leaving the top two inches with the folded side uncut. (See photo below.)
13. Use scotch tape or glue to place the tissue paper onto the newspaper covered balloon, starting at the bottom, ensuring that you cannot see the newspaper.
14. Continue to layer the tissue paper in whatever color pattern you wish.
15. Remove the pinata from the hanger.
16. Pop the balloon and remove the balloon from the pinata.
17. Reinforce the top layer with clear packing tape.
18. Use the hole punch to make two holes, each one about two inches from the top, ensuring they are directly across from each other.
19. Tie a piece of yarn through each hole, creating a hanger. (See photo below.)
20. Fill the pinata with toys, candy, etc.

Find printables, scavenger hunts, and more kid-friendly activities at Katrena's Wildflower Bouquets web site map. Readers may also enjoy my Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt with clues.

Directions for Placing Newspaper on Pinata © Katrena

How to Make Colorful Pinata © Katrena

How to Make Hanger for Pinata © Katrena

Easter Scavenger Hunt With Rhyming Clues

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt With Rhyming Clues

This Easter treasure hunt offers some fun variety combined with solving riddles, hunting Easter eggs, and finding a hidden message! My three daughters, ages 11, 9, and 5, enjoyed this scavenger hunt with lots of surprises along the way.

You will need Easter eggs in multiples of 12 up to a total of 48 eggs and one basket for each child or team of children. This scavenger hunt may be played with one or more children and is well suited to indoor or outdoor play, depending on the weather and your own needs. You can vary the difficulty of the game through your choice of hiding places for the eggs.

While the children are in another area...

1. Print the 12 rhyming clues and cut on lines. (Click on the images below to enlarge and then use File - Print.)
2. Print answers to the clues if needed.
3. Print any or all of the color-coded EASTER SUNDAY cards and cut on lines, placing one letter inside of each Easter egg.
4. Hide the Easter eggs.

When the children return...

1. Read the clues and ask for answers - arrange the kids on teams or call on children individually. (I had my three children to take turns so that each would answer four clues.)
2. After all clues are answered, give directions about the number of eggs each child should find. For example, I have three children and hid twelve eggs, making the limit for each child four eggs.
3. After the kids find all the hidden eggs, have them open the eggs to discover the hidden message. If you have printed more than one color, have the kids sort the letters by color first.

While playing this game, the kids can learn about teamwork, colors, counting, reading, rhyming, and perhaps a few new things about Easter.

Related articles:

• Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt for older kids
• Tips for Planning an Easter Egg Hunt Without a Brawl
• Easter Scavenger Hunt Based on the Gospel of Mark 
• Katrena's Scavenger Hunts (here's a link to all of my scavenger hunts)

Find more scavenger hunts, printables, and tips for enjoying time together with the kids at Katrena's Wildflower Bouquets site map.

Katrena's Indoor Scavenger Hunt #6: Heart Treasure Hunt

Heart Themed Treasure Hunt with Rhyming Clues

This unique heart scavenger hunt includes lots of challenges but is simple and easily adaptable to different levels. I created this game as a Valentine's treasure hunt, but it can be fun to play any time of year. Educational information about the heart or circulatory system can compliment this indoor game nicely.

This is a short one with only five rhyming clues, but it can easily take as long as my scavenger hunts with ten clues if you hide the letters in challenging spots. One particularly fun part of this hunt is that the first letter of each riddle's answer also spells the word "heart." The kids might discover this as they begin to find the letters, which can add to the excitement. The game also encourages reading, rhyming, and problem solving. You can also incorporate teamwork and interdependence if you have several kids playing.

Because the clues only specify a room, you can play this game many times while making it new each time by choosing different hiding places within the rooms.

Directions for Heart Scavenger Hunt #6:

While the kids are in another area:

1. Print clues #1-5 and cut on lines.
2. Print answers #1-5 and cut on lines.
3. Print HEART and cut on lines.
4. Hide H in the bathroom.
5. Hide E in the kitchen.
6. Hide A in the hall.
7. Hide R in the bedroom.
8. Hide T in the living room.

Then:

1. Give clue #1 to the person(s) who will be hunting.
2. Once the riddle is solved, give the hunter(s) the matching printed answer with the room location.

Clues for Valentine Themed Scavenger Hunt

Answers for Heart Themed Indoor Treasure Hunt

Heart Reward for Katrena's Scavenger Hunt

To print:

1. Click on the image to enlarge.
2. Select File-Print.
3. Two images will fit on one page.

I hope your family will love this scavenger hunt as much as my kids enjoyed it! You might also wish to read my Favorite Valentine's Day Craft Ideas article.

Find free scavenger hunts, printables, articles, and more at Wildflower Bouquets.

Enjoy Christmas Lights With the Kids for Free!

Enjoy Christmas Decorations With Kids © Katrena

Tight budgets often call for less spending, but my kids and I have discovered that going to stores during the Christmas season can be a wonderful way to enjoy festive lights and decorations for free. This simple time together can also serve many other purposes.

How to Have Fun Christmas Shopping with Kids © Katrena

Many stores elaborately decorate their showrooms with holiday cheer, and "window shopping" is typically free. Before going in the store, you might want to mention any specific expectations you have. For instance, if you are planning to make a purchase, mention the limits of what you are going to buy before entering or that you expect them to stay together where you can see everyone if you have more than one child.

Turn Shopping into an Educational Experience © Katrena

The Christmas decorations are often prominently displayed, and many of them now have animations or music. Plan for plenty of time to simply enjoy the moment. For any of you who want to sneak a little education in there, you could easily encourage the kids to count the reindeer, name the colors of the penguins, or to tell you everything they know about icons like Snoopy or even Elvis. Older kids might want to talk about robotics, or you might challenge them to determine how much an item might cost if it were 50% off or to determine how many of a particular item one could purchase with a set amount of money.

Learn about the Symbols of the Season While Christmas Shopping © Katrena

Christmas often brings bright and colorful plants such as poinsettias, roses, and trees. You can easily be a sneaky teacher here by identifying colors, counting, or even talking about how Christmas lights will now remain lighted if one bulb goes out (thank goodness!). This can also be a golden opportunity to reminisce about traditions you might have had related to the holiday. We had some wonderful friends when I was a little girl who owned some wooded land, and they would let us come over each year and cut down a cedar tree for Christmas. What a special gift to our family...and a story I wanted to share with my own children!

Enjoy the Beauty of the Christmas Season with Children © Katrena

Christmas is a Christian holiday, so this can be a great time to talk about Jesus and the biblical accounts of His birth. Nativity scenes and Advent calendars can encourage kids to learn more about the Bible and one's own beliefs related to Christmas.

Free Christmas Festivities for the Family © Katrena

If you decide to shop after dark, an added bonus might be seeing lighted Christmas decorations in some yards beside the road as you drive back home. Turn on some Christmas music and have a sing-a-long in the car. You really don't have to buy anything to enjoy the lights of the season, but if you have shopping to do, this can be a great way to add a fun tradition that perhaps the whole family will cherish!

Christmas Fun for Free © Katrena

Many thanks to Lowe's Home Improvement of Mocksville, North Carolina. They allowed me to take pictures of my kids enjoying their wide array of Christmas decorations to share with all of my readers. They also offer some fun, free workshops for the kids called Build and Grow. I'd recommend signing up for these workshops ahead of time because space and supplies might be limited during popular months in particular.

Teach Kids Math and Other Life Skills at the Store © Katrena

Readers might also be interested in reading about McAdenville, a town near Charlotte that lights up their trees for Christmas in North Carolina or about The Cookie House bakery in Hanes Mall where you can watch holiday cookies being made and decorated. Find more of Katrena's articles at the Wildflower Bouquets site map.