9 Fun Office Scavenger Hunt Ideas & Templates for 2023 (2024)

Here is our list of the best office scavenger hunt ideas and templates.

Office scavenger hunt ideas are lists of items for team members to find at or near their office space. For example, a Desk Scavenger Hunt, a Duo Scavenger Hunt, or an Active Scavenger Hunt. These activities aim to build relationships and practice essential skills like communication and thinking outside the box.

These hunts are examples of scavenger hunts for adults, team building games and office challenges, and are in-person versions of virtual scavenger hunts. You can use treasure hunt ideas, scavenger hunt riddles and scavenger hunt apps to make and complete these games.

9 Fun Office Scavenger Hunt Ideas & Templates for 2023 (1)

This list includes:

  • office scavenger hunt list for adults
  • office scavenger hunt riddles
  • office team scavenger hunt ideas for adults
  • Christmas office scavenger hunts

Let’s get to it!

List of office scavenger hunt ideas

We have compiled the ultimate office scavenger hunt lists for adults. These lists will entertain team members while building relationships. While coworkers find the items, they will practice essential skills, like communication and problem-solving.

For most of these activities, encourage participants to take a camera and take pictures of items or team members completing tasks.

Here is our list of office scavenger hunt ideas.

1. Everyday Scavenger Hunt

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There are many office team scavenger hunt ideas for adults that utilize everyday items in an office. From exit signs to boxes of paper clips, anything can be part of a scavenger hunt.

Here is a template:

  • Find a sign with the number 6 on it.
  • What is the oldest video you have on your phone?
  • How many steps does it take you to get to the bathroom?
  • Find the employee with the most kids and ask how much they sleep at night.
  • Take a picture on or near the company sign.
  • Take a photo when a digital clock near you makes a mathematical equation. For example, 12:36 is 1+2+3=6.
  • Take a selfie with the CEO or nearest highest-ranking supervisor.
  • Share the craziest picture on your cell phone.
  • Take a photo with three different exit signs.
  • Find a picture with four children in it.
  • Find a team member wearing their college logo.
  • Find three different colored staplers in the office.
  • Find a coworker wearing the company logo and take a picture of them.
  • Take a snapshot of how many open windows you have on your computer.

2. Office Desk Scavenger Hunt

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You can plan a quick 15 to 30-minute scavenger hunt for team members to complete at their desks. The items on the list should all be in or on a desk. The beauty of this hunt is that it can serve as a great distraction or brain break during a long work week and can inspire employees to clean up their workspaces!

Here are example ideas:

  • Staple two different colored pieces of paper together.
  • Cut letters out of paper to create a message.
  • Take a screenshot of your desktop loaded to your favorite vacation destination.
  • Build a tower using only post-it notes, paper clips, and tape.
  • Leave only black and white items on your desk.
  • Find four different snacks.
  • Replace pictures with hand-drawn replicas of the previous photo.
  • Create a rubber band ball.
  • Find two different colored highlighters
  • Find four different colored pens.
  • Use a hole punch and scissors to create a snowflake.
  • Fill your coffee mug with something other than coffee.
  • Use a calculator to spell a word.

3. Special Office Scavenger Hunt Items

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If you want to challenge team members, then add some specialty items to your scavenger hunt list. These objects and ideas will make participants think outside the box and find out-of-the-ordinary items.

Here is a sample guide:

  • Find a coin with your birth year on it.
  • Find a flip cell phone, if possible.
  • What is the fourth item on the menu for the company website?
  • Take a picture with the oldest and youngest members of the team.
  • Find a coin with the year of the the company’s founding.
  • Find a computer that is running an extremely outdated version of Windows. The older, the better.
  • Find foreign currency.
  • How many computers are in the office? See who can find the number first.
  • Find the first person who has worked in your office the longest, not including the boss.
  • Find the person with the closest birthday to you.
  • Find a mouse with a rollerball.
  • Find five people to act out the Friends opening with you. Bonus points if you can include a couch or fountain.

4. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

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Planning a scavenger hunt around a holiday is the perfect time to add themed list items. Christmas office scavenger hunts are a great way to build holiday spirit and encourage fun among team members.

Here is a template:

  • Find an ugly Christmas sweater with an animal other than a reindeer.
  • Find an outfit that lights up.
  • Find Christmas earrings.
  • Find a Christmas countdown.
  • Eat some candy a teammate left out.
  • Find something peppermint flavored.
  • Find something green and red.
  • Find something with Santa winking.
  • Find an ornament that has pink on it.
  • Do something creative with tinsel.
  • Recreate a child sitting on Santa’s lap.
  • Wrap office supplies and leave them as a gift for your boss.
  • Have the team recreate an awkward Christmas family photo.
  • Go caroling to neighbor offices.

Check out more holiday scavenger hunt templates.

5. Duo Scavenger Hunt

A duo scavenger hunt is one of the best ways to build teams and develop relationships. For this challenge, team members must work in pairs to solve various tasks. You can ask participants to film these activities to share with the rest of the team.

Here are some examples:

  • Artist and Muse: One team member acts out an artist creating a masterpiece inspired by their muse, the other teammate.
  • Mimes: In this activity, the pair must be as creative as possible as mimes. No words allowed!
  • Sporting event: The pair must complete a variety of athletic feats. For example, a quarterback throwing to a receiver, a basketball player defending a layup, or a soccer player shooting against a goalie.
  • TikTok: Perform a TikTok challenge together somewhere in the office building.
  • Singers: Encourage the team to write and perform a song about something related to the company. This song can be about the organization’s history or a person involved, for example, a founder or a supervisor.
  • Cooking show: The duo must pretend to be in a cooking show. For this activity, the more outlandish the dish, the better!
  • Translator: This entertaining event requires one team member to “translate” for the other.
  • Interview: Have one team member interview the other for a job. The interviewee should give the worst answers possible.
  • Press conference: One team member answers questions posed by the other during a press conference. The topic can be political or sports-related.

6. Riddled Office Scavenger Hunt

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Office scavenger hunt riddles are incredible ways to encourage team members to use their heads. If you do not outright give a list of items to find, then participants have to work harder. However, it is best to keep these lists short as they might take time. You can ask participants to take a picture of each of these items as they figure them out.

Here is a sample:

  • I’m over you on a rainy day, close me, or I might blow away. (Answer, umbrella.)
  • I’m here when you are tired and need a seat. You will get a rest and get off your feet. (Answer, chair.)
  • If you do not know where to look, then check for me on a hook. (Answer, keys.)
  • Whether you use one sheet or four, someone might use less, and someone might use more. (Answer, toilet paper.)
  • If you push me, then I’ll release suds. This is especially important when you’ve been in the mud. (Answer, soap.)
  • To go up, you step on me, but I sometimes hurt your knee. (Answer, stairs.)
  • I light up and tell you how to leave. (Answer, exit sign.)
  • What has a face but no mouth or nose? It also has hands but no fingers or toes. (Answer, a clock.)
  • I’m usually on top, and if you peek, you just might find a super cold treat. (Answer, freezer.)
  • I have a flat top and hold all your things. (Answer, a desk.)
  • I am red, white, and blue. When it is windy, I wave to you. (Answer, a flag.)
  • Check your reflection in me to see your complexion. (Answer, mirror.)
  • I’m here and there and all-around. I don’t actually exist but can be found. (Answer, your shadow.)
  • I go on your back, and I keep things secure in my pack. (Answer, backpack.)
  • My first letter is an “e,” just like my last. But I only contain one letter. (Answer, envelope.)

7. Active Office Scavenger Hunt

Sometimes, team members need to get out of their chairs and move around. These office team scavenger hunt ideas for adults require teammates to work together out of their chairs.

Check out these ideas:

  • Mini-me: For this activity, choose one team member to recreate. You can use any items in the office to make a mini version of that coworker. Consider using one specific feature, for example, a nametag or glasses, to make the recreation recognizable.
  • Keep your distance: Have the team take a picture best representing how to safely keep your distance from each other.
  • Abby Road: Have four team members recreate the famous Beatles image on a crosswalk.
  • Parking lot: In this challenge, team members must go to the parking lot with a camera. Then, participants must take pictures of letters on license plates to make a word. The word can be a name or something related to the company.
  • Ministry of Silly Walks: For this activity, ask team members to film themselves walking in creative and distinct ways in different office areas.
  • Reflection: Ask team members to get a picture of their reflection in something other than a mirror.
  • Clown car: Fit as many team members as possible in the smallest car available.
  • Stick words: This task requires many sticks, either coffee stirrers or popsicle sticks. You can either give teams a few specific words or ask them to come up with a couple representing your office or company. Then, participants should spell out the words with the sticks.
  • Emojis: Have everyone on the team make a different emoji face. Get a picture of the whole group.
  • Dramatic reading: Perform a dramatic reading of the company manual.
  • Mummies: Using only toilet paper, have teams make mummies. You can encourage participants to cover every inch of one member, including hands and feet.
  • Three-way: Though this might sound risque, it is not. For this challenge, a group of three teammates must complete a list of tasks together, for example, tie their shoes, walk through a doorway, or make a cup of coffee. The catch is that the participants must stay attached at the hip.
  • Singing objects: First, team members must find three to five items in the office. Then, the group must find a song that mentions that item. Be sure to video the team singing the song while displaying the object.

8. Mall Scavenger Hunt

If your office is near a mall, then take a quick trip there and see how many of these tasks team members can complete in a certain amount of time. You do not need to spend any money to have fun. It would be best to encourage team members to be considerate of those working or shopping at the mall.

Here are some ideas to get started:

  • Try on a shirt that is three sizes too big.
  • Buy a pretzel.
  • Find a kid’s store and take a picture of a toy you would have loved as a kid.
  • Find a furniture store and sit in a red recliner.
  • Try out three different beds.
  • Put on high heels and do a quick catwalk in the shoe department.
  • Find a jersey for a team you always root against.
  • Spell out your company name with letters from different stores.
  • Do a sorority pose in front of a fountain.
  • Ride the elevator from the top floor to the bottom floor.
  • Find a store with the letter K in the name.
  • Find an area in the mall that echoes.

9. Outdoor Office Scavenger Hunt

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If you have a smaller office space, then consider sending team members outside with this office scavenger hunt list for adults. You can include street signs, buildings, and even wildlife in an outdoor hunt. Plus, participants get some fresh air and a change of scenery.

Here is a template to follow:

  • Find an exotic or ethnic cuisine within walking distance.
  • Buy a cup of coffee and ask the barista to make their favorite.
  • Go to a bookstore and find a specific title, for example, Moby Dick.
  • Find the oldest building in your neighborhood.
  • Find a sports store nearby. Have two team members try on hats of rival teams.
  • Act out a picnic outside.
  • Find the funniest street sign you can.
  • Find as many different colored flowers as possible.
  • Find the coolest muscle car you can find.
  • Find the most famous landmark nearby and get a picture with the team in front of it.
  • Play at a playground in a nearby park.
  • Take a picture with the tallest tree you can find.
  • Go to a store that sells clothes and find a purple shirt.
  • Find a bird with blue in it.
  • Have everyone in the group get a temporary tattoo.
  • Find something in nature and act it out, for example, a tree or flower.
  • See who can find the best thing for $5.00 either at a store or thrift shop.
  • Take a picture of something that rhymes with dog.
  • Find a street sign with the letter F in it.
  • Go to a school and act out a teacher presenting a lesson in front of it.
  • Find a store with the most unique name.
  • Feed a squirrel a snack.
  • Find statues near your office and mimic them.

Check out more outdoor team building ideas.

Conclusion

Scavenger hunts are fun and creative ways to build relationships among team members. As coworkers complete these tasks, they must communicate and work together. This office scavenger hunt list for adults is an excellent way to get team members up and doing things when work is intense and time-consuming.

For more fun with officemates, consider photo scavenger hunts, field day games for adults, or Amazing Race events.

FAQ: Office scavenger hunts

Here are the answers to commonly asked questions about office scavenger hunts.

What are office scavenger hunts?

Office scavenger hunts are ideas and games for team members to complete together. The lists include items and activities in or near an office.

What are some good ideas for scavenger hunts in the office?

Some good ideas for scavenger hunts in the office are items in a desk, for example, sticky notes, coins, or nameplates. You can also encourage employees to explore nearby areas and stores and find items like street signs or wildlife near the office.

How do you play scavenger hunts in the office?

To play scavenger hunts in the office, first, divide the group into smaller teams. Then, give each group a list of items or tasks to complete. The prompts can simply be to find certain things, like words or items, or for team members to act something out, like a cooking show. You can ask participants to film or take pictures of the completed tasks. The first group to complete the list wins.

9 Fun Office Scavenger Hunt Ideas & Templates for 2023 (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a scavenger hunt for the office? ›

To play scavenger hunts in the office, first, divide the group into smaller teams. Then, give each group a list of items or tasks to complete. The prompts can simply be to find certain things, like words or items, or for team members to act something out, like a cooking show.

How do you make a scavenger hunt more interesting? ›

Other neighborhood scavenger hunt ideas:
  1. Find hidden items in the neighborhood.
  2. Find specific landmarks or locations.
  3. Follow hidden clues to find a prize.
  4. Go door-to-door to request items from a list.
  5. Signatures or handwritten notes from neighbors.
Aug 19, 2022

What are some good scavenger hunt clues for adults? ›

40 best clues for your ultimate scavenger hunt
  • You cut me on a table, but I'm never eaten. ...
  • A band that doesn't play instruments but has plenty of styles. ( ...
  • Everything ends with me. ...
  • How many glasses of water can one drink on an empty stomach? ( ...
  • I am not a lamp, but I can light up. ...
  • I am not an organ, but I have 13 hearts.
Oct 12, 2022

How do you write a riddle clue? ›

  1. Choose an answer. Remember to choose a concrete, general answer.
  2. Brainstorm about your answer. Write down everything that comes to mind about the answer that you've chosen. ...
  3. Use a thesaurus. Choose three important words from your brainstorming list above, and look them up in a thesaurus. ...
  4. Use figurative language.

How many items should be on a scavenger hunt? ›

Try to have no more than 10 items. It might also be a good idea to include a picture of the item, in case some of the players are still learning how to read. For older children, use large fonts and lots of colors, but omit the pictures. Put between 10 and 15 items on your list.

How long should a scavenger hunt be? ›

Usually, you don't want the hunt to last longer than 20-25 minutes, and some scavenger hunt can last only 10-15 minutes. After the scavenger hunt, be sure to check the answers and provide additional instruction on the most challenging questions.

What is the rule of scavenger hunt? ›

Use pictures, numbers and words to create your list. Create a time limit (optional). Give children the list and let them scavenge around and find, smell or do all of the things on their list. The player or team who ticks everything off on their list first, or ticks off the most items before the time is up, wins.

What's the easiest thing to hunt? ›

Here are some great options for what beginners should hunt.
  • Pheasants. Pheasant is a classic option for hunting and an excellent choice for beginners. ...
  • Raccoons. Not only are raccoons an easy option for someone just getting into hunting, but there is also some great utility that comes with hunting raccoons. ...
  • Rabbits. ...
  • Turkeys.
Mar 9, 2022

How do you host a scavenger hunt for adults? ›

To set up a successful scavenger hunt for adults you need to do the following:
  1. Pick a theme for your scavenger hunt.
  2. Make a list of tasks for the participants.
  3. Make or buy prizes for the winners (and the losers)
  4. Invite your friends and split them up into the right sized groups.

How to make clues? ›

8 Tips For Creating Good Clues In Your Stories
  1. Understand What You Can Use Clues For.
  2. Think Of Clues As Information Or Secrets.
  3. Define What You Need Clues For & Why You Need Them.
  4. Make A List Of All The Clues Ideas You Can Think Of.
  5. Plant Clues Into Your Story, But Leave Some Free.
  6. Make a List of Campaign Objects.

What is a goose chase scavenger hunt? ›

Goosechase is a digital tool and app for creating multimodal scavenger hunts. Using Goosechase, students can take photos or videos of scavenger hunt items, solve riddles and word puzzles, and tag themselves at a GPS location, such as a historical monument.

What do you put at the end of a scavenger hunt? ›

Put a prize at the end.

End your scavenger hunt with a surprise, like a piece of candy, a small toy or even someone's birthday gift.

What are the three words scavenger hunt? ›

What to do
  • Make a surprise for your friend, this will be your treasure. ...
  • Decide where you are going to 'hide' the treasure for your friend. ...
  • Go to what3words and work out the three words for the location where you have left the treasure. ...
  • Place your treasure in position.
  • Share the three word reference with your friend.

What is a vocabulary scavenger hunt? ›

In a vocabulary scavenger hunt, students “hunt” for target words or the way those words are represented in books, magazines, articles on the web, in school, or at home. For example, they either look for the word “quickly” or an example of something that was moving quickly.

What is a gratitude scavenger hunt? ›

Expressing gratitude is proven to help individuals experience more positive emotions, improve their mental health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Take time to complete this scavenger hunt; think about each object you find and the positive role it plays in your daily life.

What has keys but no lock? ›

I have keys but no locks answer

The answer to the social media puzzle is Keyboard. If you read the question carefully, you will notice that the keyboard has keys but no locks.

What is a famous riddle? ›

William Shakespeare: The Riddle of Venice

He requires that any suitor must choose one of three caskets: one casket is gold, one is silver, and one is made of lead. One casket has a photo of Portia inside it, and only the suitor who chooses that casket may marry her.

How do you play scavenger hunt in Word? ›

Students can read a book or multiple books to search for sight words. Students write each word and then tally for each time they see that word while reading. Perfect way to incorporate reading and math in a fun "detective" activity!

What is a team building scavenger hunt? ›

In a scavenger hunt, teams race to solve puzzles, riddles, and codes to learn the location of an item. As teams put their heads together, they're learning to work on these roadblocks to succeed as a team and lean on the strengths of various members.

What are some team building ideas in the workplace? ›

Team-Building Activities to Do During the Workday
  • Share Your Personality. ...
  • Play Team or Board Games. ...
  • Create a Scavenger Hunt. ...
  • Untangle a “Human Knot” ...
  • Give Out Blind Directions. ...
  • Do a Silent Line-Up. ...
  • Host a Lunch and Learn. ...
  • Have a Hack Day.

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