The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Scavenger Hunts (2024)

Watching treasure hunting shows is exciting, isn’t it? It’s thrilling to see what treasure hunters might discover as they search for sunken ships, buried gold, or ancient artifacts. In fact, it’s so exciting, you may find yourself dreaming about joining the action from time to time.

Believe it or not, it is possible for you to get in on the “hunt” by participating in a scavenger hunt. While scavenger hunts are typically played in-person, a comparatively new variant of the traditional game has grown increasingly popular in recent months – virtual scavenger hunts.

Like in-person hunts, virtual scavenger hunts are a great way to bring people together no matter where they’re located. Whether it’s used as a team-building exercise, to celebrate a special event, or as a way to enjoy some family fun, an interactive, digital scavenger hunt encourages friendly competition in an oft humorous manner that engages the resourceful and creative sides of its participants.

What Does a Typical Virtual Scavenger Hunt Involve?

Whether it’s online or in-person, a typical scavenger hunt game requires participants to find designated items or solve a riddle within a set time limit. In general, a prize is given to the person or team that gathers all the scavenger hunt items or solves the mindbender the fastest.

While the point of all scavenger hunts is to send participants on a goose-chase for various things, that is sometimes where the similarities between different games end. Virtual scavenger hunts can have themes that require people to find items related to a particular theme like a holiday or a trend. A scavenger hunt can last a few minutes, or it can continue for several days, weeks, or months.

Depending on the platform you use to host a digital scavenger hunt, your game can involve a handful of individuals or many teams. You can give participants a complete list of items upfront, or you can add things to your scavenger hunt list as the game progresses to keep people engaged and curious about what they can expect.

Different options are even available for scoring a scavenger hunt. One way to do that is to declare a winner based solely on how fast a participant collects the items on their list. Alternatively, you may want to assign points for each item gathered and make bonus points available for people who collect the most creative items.

For example, if “school supplies” is on your list of items, you might want to give extra points to someone who gets a pizza like Jeff Spicoli ordered while attending Mr. Hand’s class in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” If “selfie with your pet” is on your list, you might want to give bonus points to someone who takes the time to dress up their pet before taking a picture with their furry, winged, or scaly family member.

The key takeaway here is this – there is no wrong format for a digital scavenger hunt. You can be as traditional or creative as you want. If you have a goal in mind for the game, like improving your team’s problem-solving abilities, you may want to make your game a bit more complex than it would be otherwise. No matter what your goal might be, just make sure you make your virtual scavenger hunt as fun and engaging as possible.

Choosing a Platform for Your Digital Scavenger Hunt

Given the ongoing pandemic, many people have grown used to working at home. Platforms like Zoom and Google Meet (formerly Google Hangouts) have made it a breeze for remote team members to work as normally as possible. Just like they allow remote workers to gather to discuss pressing business, those same platforms can be used to host virtual scavenger hunts involving people from your local community or individuals located throughout the country or around the world.

There are also plenty of apps that enable users to plan and host digital scavenger hunts. Some of the scavenger hunt apps are themed, such as “Race for the Lost Tomb,” which is somewhat akin to escape rooms in that it challenges participants to solve riddles and analyze clues to get out of the lost city of Atlantis in 60 minutes or less. Other apps allow you to create a custom scavenger hunt or choose a turnkey, pre-made scavenger hunt.

Depending on the platform you choose, the length of your game and the number of people or teams that can participate might be limited. Be sure to check those parameters before you plan your virtual scavenger hunt to make sure your chosen platform can accommodate all of the people you plan on inviting to participate in your digital event.

How Do Remote Scavenger Hunts Bring People Together?

While “remote scavenger hunts” and “togetherness” may seem dichotomous, the two are actually natural bedmates. Although a virtual scavenger hunt doesn’t bring people together in a physical sense, the event will unite people as they experience adrenaline rushes while they hunt for items and attempt to solve puzzles. It’s the perfect virtual team-building activity to get your team out of their comfort zone.

Online scavenger hunts require participants to submit photos and videos as evidence they’ve completed a task. After your digital hunt is over, you can use people’s submissions to create a montage of your event, which will help everyone remember the great time they had together even though they were physically apart.

Do Online Scavenger Hunts Have Rules?

Like any competition, online scavenger hunts have rules all participants must abide by to avoid being disqualified. To make sure everyone competes fairly, it’s wise to make all the players aware of the rules before your hunt begins.

Here are some rules you may want to adopt for a virtual scavenger hunt regardless of whether the event is themed or involves individuals or remote teams:

• All of the things on the scavenger hunt list must be found on the premises where participants are located, meaning players cannot leave their location to get a given item
• A single item can only be used once, meaning the same thing cannot be used to satisfy more than one requirement on the scavenger hunt list
• Every photo and video submitted in the competition must be taken by players, with no screenshots allowed in most cases
• All photos and videos should be sent at the same time so the hunt’s moderator doesn’t get overwhelmed
• Submissions must be made within the prescribed time frame to qualify
• The devices participants use to compete must stay in place while they search for items, meaning players can’t take their smartphones or tablets with them as they look for things on the scavenger hunt list
• Players can’t use their electronic devices to research the things on the scavenger hunt list unless the hunt is an online-only event
• Now for the most important rule of all – have fun!

Types of Remote Scavenger Hunts

If you want to host a virtual scavenger hunt, you might be looking for some ideas. Luckily, there are all types of remote scavenger hunts you can choose from. Realistically speaking, the options available to you are only limited by your imagination – which is to say your options are limitless.

In general, digital scavenger hunts can be broken down into two broad categories. The first category includes hunts that require people to find tangible items while the other includes virtual scavenger hunts that are conducted entirely online. You can create nearly any type of game within each category.

Holidays

Holidays are a great source of inspiration for online scavenger hunts. If the Fourth of July is on the horizon, you may want to throw together a hunt that requires participants to find historical facts about America online. The location where the Constitution was signed, the individuals who signed the Constitution, and famous haunted battlegrounds from the Civil War are some of the things you might ask players to research.

Is Halloween coming up? You can plan an online scavenger hunt that requires players to make a costume out of items in their home or office. A handmade paper mask, something fuzzy, fake blood, and oversized clothing are some of the things you might put on your scavenger hunt list for a Halloween-themed event.

Special Occasions

There are any number of special occasions you may want to celebrate with a fun-filled virtual scavenger hunt. Is your child about to graduate from high school? Consider organizing a digital hunt for your soon-to-be graduate and his or her friends. You can require participants to find things located in their school over several days leading up to the formal graduation ceremony. After the ceremony, you can announce the winner and award a modest prize like an Amazon gift card.

Is your parents’ anniversary in the near future? You can bring everyone together to celebrate by planning a virtual scavenger hunt to commemorate the occasion. A copy of their wedding announcement, photos from your folks’ wedding reception, and the name of the person who caught the bouquet after your parents exchanged nuptials are just some of the things you can ask participants to find.

Will one of your coworkers retire soon? Why not plan a digital scavenger hunt to send your buddy off in gales of laughter? You can designate remote teams and challenge each one to list all the projects your coworker has worked on during the course of their career. Alternatively, you can ask each team to come up with a list of 10 instances in which your coworker made them laugh uncontrollably while on the figurative clock.

Does your BFF have a birthday coming up? If so, you can create an online scavenger hunt to celebrate. Use your friend’s age to determine the number of things or facts you’re going to ask players to find. Since each passing year will increase the number of items participants will have to locate, why not make this birthday-themed hunt an annual event as no two virtual scavenger hunts will be the same?

Streaming Services

Streaming services like Netflix allow people to view just about anything they want to see whenever they’re ready to view it. You can use the accessibility of streaming services like Hulu and Apple TV as the basis for an interactive online scavenger hunt.

Do you watch a show that’s popular among your coworkers? Create a hunt that requires participants to replicate a lead actor’s attire with clothing they have at home. Have you noticed inconsistencies in the show’s storyline from time to time? Challenge players to identify all of them, with the person who does so the fastest declared the winner.

Cooking

With many restaurants closed or only offering limited service during the pandemic, a lot of people have resorted to cooking for themselves. Cooking is a wonderful basis for an online treasure hunt. You can challenge players to find obscure recipes from the 1600s or a specific region. Making a list of unusual cooking utensils participants will be hard-pressed to find is also a good idea.

Are your friends fans of cooking shows like “Chopped” and “Guy’s Grocery Games?” Create a digital scavenger hunt requiring them to identify the winners of specific episodes.

Social Media

Considering the vast majority of people use social media, it’s only logical that sites like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are boundless sources of inspiration for virtual scavenger hunts. Challenging players to find specific memes, viral videos from days gone by, certain individuals, cutest pets, or infamous blurbs spouted by celebrities are just a handful of ideas for digital scavenger hunts based on social media.

Games

Games are ripe fodder for virtual event ideas. If you base a hunt on online games like “Fortnite Battle Royale,” you can require players to submit a screenshot every time they kill a competitor, with the person who offs the highest number of characters before they’re killed or they win the game declared the victor. You can stretch this type of scavenger hunt over several days, with players able to participate in a new online game and submit screenshots to the scavenger hunt moderator every day.

Do you prefer more traditional games like “Monopoly?” You can create an online scavenger hunt based on whatever board game is your favorite. If you want to stir things up a bit, base your scavenger hunt on the game “Trouble!”

Riddles

As was mentioned earlier, riddles are the inspiration for many in-person and online scavenger hunts. You can create one using a well-known riddle or you can use your own riddle as the basis for a virtual scavenger hunt.

Can’t think of a riddle off the top of your head? Use our list of 50-plus indoor scavenger hunt riddles for adults to get some inspiration.

Romance

If you’re in a relationship, you may want to consider signing yourself and your partner up for an in-home scavenger hunt with Let’s Roam. You can leave the planning to us while you infuse a whole new type of fun into your romantic date night.

Are you struggling to find a gift for the couple who has everything? Consider giving the duo tickets to one of our couple’s scavenger hunts and let the romance begin.

Locations

You can’t go wrong with using a given location to create a digital scavenger hunt even if you’re not physically there. After you choose a location, you can challenge players to find select landmarks like museums, places where significant historic events occurred, famous eateries, or little-known boutique shops.

Does the idea of a location-based scavenger hunt interest you? Offering scavenger hunts based on more than 400 locations throughout the world, Let’s Roam is your source for unforgettable outdoor and indoor scavenger hunts that are equally challenging and exhilarating. Let us customize your next virtual scavenger hunt for you!

Nothing brings a group of people closer than the thrill of a scavenger hunt, but these days, more people than ever are staying close to their homes and offices. What do you do when you can’t get out and about, as you would on a traditional city hunt? Easy—host an in-home or virtual scavenger hunt!

Why Choose a Let’s Roam Virtual Scavenger Hunt

1. It’s a Bonding Experience

A scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to get to know friends, colleagues, and loved ones or to improve connections with people you already know.

Handcrafted scavenger hunts from Let’s Roam include exciting activities that will have you brainstorming and solving challenges together. Nothing bonds a group more than problem-solving, especially when it’s fun!

Our team of exploration guides are experts in finding the most creative ways to help couples, families, friends, roommates, and colleagues find ways to discover, laugh, and connect.

2. It’s Inexpensive

Let’s face it—sometimes, even staying at home can get expensive. Keeping yourself entertained is no easy affair. Board games and activity kits can be super expensive, not to mention they lose their novelty quickly.

This is where a virtual scavenger hunt is a great option. Let’s Roam’s online hunts are affordably priced, starting at $14.95. If you’re the kind that can’t get enough of adventure, sign up for a Season Pass which gives you unlimited hunts for $59.99.

Each hunt is new and exciting in its own way, making sure that you get something unique every time. Here’s the best part: since you can do these hunts from the comfort of your own space, you only need to pay for one hunt per family.

Furthermore, you shouldn’t need to buy any supplies to participate. Most items are commonly found around any home or office. Aside from a browser and internet connection, a scavenger hunt might require paper, pencils, and other household items. Don’t forget to bring your spirit of adventure—that’s essential!

3. It’s Easy

Let’s Roam has gone the extra mile to ensure that our activities are user-friendly and convenient. For instance, you don’t need to download a separate app on your device to access your hunt. Once you purchase your ticket, you can redeem it on our website and use a browser extension to begin.

A family scavenger hunt can be tailored for even the littlest explorers. We know it can be tough to engage in lengthy activities with little ones. If you’re short on time or worried about interruptions, don’t worry. Each hunt lasts about an hour and you can pause at any time.

And parents? If you’re looking for a rainy-day activity, our family-friendly options are so easy that kids can do virtual scavenger hunts by themselves, as long as they can read.

4. You Can Stay in Your PJs

You can enjoy Let’s Roam’s activities without stepping outside your home, which means there’s no special dress code. Have a slumber party, because you can stay in your pajamas for a virtual scavenger hunt!

What could be a more relaxing way to spend a Saturday evening than hanging with your roommates or family in your big ol’ comfy clothes, sharing in some bonding activities?

And remember—with a Virtual Party Pack, you can add up to six households!

5. There’s a Virtual Scavenger Hunt Idea for Everyone

At Let’s Roam, we like to include options the whole family can enjoy. That’s why we’ve created a special family scavenger hunt, full of kid-friendly options. With categories like “Emerging Explorers,” “Advanced Adventurers,” “Math Masters,” “Writing Wizards,” and “Science Scavengers,” there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Nannies and sitters can also feel confident knowing that they have a fun way to occupy the kids while parents are working or otherwise occupied. What a way to level up an average day or night!

If you want to enjoy a romantic evening with your boo, look no further than the couples’ in-home scavenger hunt. With this one-of-a-kind hunt, you’ll laugh and bond with your partner as you discover new things about each other.

6. You Can Hunt with Coworkers

Our traditional corporate team-building activities are designed to build stronger teams by improving morale and boosting productivity. Now, globally diverse coworkers can connect in innovative ways. Have a blast with your remote colleagues through virtual team-building activities!

Bring your entire team together as they collaborate, cooperate, and solve challenges together. Add your company motto, training goals, and corporate culture into the hunts so you can all become part of one big corporate family!

A dedicated host keeps every member active and occupied so they feel heard and seen. Since you can customize the hunt, you can add special options to celebrate a big launch or a work anniversary! With Let’s Roam, your next team building event is sure to be a huge hit.

7. Hunts Are Fully Customizable

What’s more fun than a standard scavenger hunt? A custom scavenger hunt made just for you! Let’s Roam can help you to personalize every aspect of your event. This ensures that it’s a memorable experience.

Each scavenger hunt has a series of photo and video challenges, as well as puzzles, trivia, and riddles. These can include personal trivia and inside jokes.

You can enjoy a virtual scavenger hunt to celebrate a special event, be it a birthday party, bachelorette party, or any other milestone. If you’re planning to propose, ask your Let’s Roam guide to help you with a very special couple’s hunt. Get down on one knee as your beloved solves the last clue!

Have we convinced you yet? Have you hosted a virtual scavenger hunt already? What are you looking forward to during your first hunt? Comment below and let us know!

Frequently Asked Questions