How Does an Adult Scavenger Hunt Work?

Party Planning

The host of the scavenger hunt is responsible for inviting the guests, choosing the theme and of course, organizing the hunt and after party. The host does not participate in the actual hunt. She waits for her guests at the party location with the food, drinks and music. The host should come up with creative clues to lead the guests from location to location until they reach the party.

Gather the Troops

Form teams with at least three people on each team. Teams can be assigned by the host or formed by the guests on their own. Its much more fun if people can hunt in groups. Each team should pick a name and a costume theme. The entire party may have a theme that each team can build from. For example, if the party theme is Hollywood, one team can dress up as the Rat Pack and another could be the cast of a movie such as the Wizard of Oz. On the day of the hunt, everyone gathers in a neutral location at the same time to receive their first clue.

Hunt for Clues

Once all the teams are assembled, the hostess reads the first clue. She may also opt to hand each team an envelope that contains a written copy of the first clue. That way, team members can refer back to a clue that they have yet to decipher. Every team should receive the clue at the exact same time. Clues can be riddles, word puzzles, trivia or inside jokes that all guests are in on. The answer to each clue should lead teams to various locations where they obtain the next clue. Subsequent clues can be given by helpful friends or relatives. Send the teams to your mom's house or to an easygoing bartender at a favorite restaurant. Just be sure to invite those participants to the party. Post clues on billboards or write them in the sand at the beach. For added fun, make the teams work a little for their clues. Make teams tell the bartender a joke before they receive their clue. Bury clues in the dirt or hang them high in a tree. The last clue should be directions to the party.

Party Time

The first team to reach the party is the winner of the hunt. The winners should receive a prize that they can all share or they should receive individual prizes. The prizes do not have to be elaborate or costly. Movie passes, bottles of wine and coffee mugs are all good ideas. Try to make the prizes fit the theme of the party. If the scavenger hunt is an annual occurrence, the winners must host the hunt and party the following year. Prizes can also be given to teams with the best costumes. The last team to arrive at the party can be given gag gifts such as T-shirts that say "Loser" or tortoise key chains.