How many clues does the hunt have?

There are 28 clues in total, sorted into easy, medium, and hard, so you can use all of them or pick a shorter set depending on how much time you have and how old your child is.

What age is this scavenger hunt for?

It works well for children roughly five to ten years old. Read the harder clues aloud for younger kids, and let older kids read and solve the trickier ones on their own for an extra challenge.

Do I need to buy anything for the surprise?

No — the final clue is designed to point to whatever small surprise you already have on hand, whether that's a treat, a note, a new pencil, or nothing at all beyond a proud high-five.

Can I use this if my child already knows where everything is?

Yes. The point isn't to teach your child where their things live — it's to turn a routine week into a game, so even a child who knows every hiding spot still enjoys the hunt.

How long does the hunt take?

Most families finish in fifteen to twenty-five minutes, but there's no rush — you can spread it across a few evenings in the week before school starts instead of doing it all at once.

Can siblings do the hunt together?

Yes, siblings can follow the clues together, take turns reading them aloud, or each get their own printed set and race to the same hiding spots.

Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt: A Free Printable for Kids

Activity Workshop · Printables

Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt: A Free Printable for Kids

The week before school starts is full of new things: a new backpack that needs a place to hang, a lunchbox that needs a home, a pencil case waiting to be filled. For a child, all of this can feel like one long list of "you have to" right before something big — and a little scary — happens. This scavenger hunt flips that around: the same objects and spots become stops on a small at-home adventure, with clues that build confidence instead of nerves. Your child follows 28 clues through the house, from the hook by the front door to the lunchbox drawer in the kitchen, and ends up having visited almost everything that belongs to the first day of school. The last card reveals that a small back-to-school surprise is hidden somewhere you choose — a calm, playful way to close out a week that can otherwise feel rushed.

About this sheet

The week before school starts is full of firsts: a backpack that needs a place to hang, a lunchbox that needs a home, a pencil case waiting to be filled. For a child, all of that can feel like one long list of "you have to" right before something big — and a little nerve-wracking — happens.

This scavenger hunt turns the list into a game. The same hooks, drawers, and shelves become stops on a small at-home adventure, and each clue nudges your child toward feeling ready instead of rattled.

It works just as well spread across a few evenings as it does in one sitting after dinner. Slow it down for a younger child by reading each clue aloud together, or hand the whole stack to an older one and let them race through solo.

The last clue always points back to you — a small surprise you've hidden and only you know the location of. It's a calm, low-effort way to close out a week that can otherwise feel rushed, and it ends with your child standing at the door, ready.

What you get

28 printable clue cards, ready to cut apart and hide around your home
Clues sorted by difficulty (easy, medium, hard) so you can match the hunt to your child's age
A built-in ending for a small back-to-school surprise you pick and hide yourself
A gentle, playful way to walk through everything the first day of school needs

How to use it

Print and cut. Print the clue cards on regular paper and cut them apart along the lines.
Hide the clues. Place each clue at the spot it describes — the coat hook, the lunchbox drawer, the pencil case — in whatever order fits your home.
Pick a small surprise. Choose a small treat or note for the final clue and hide it wherever you like.
Let the hunt begin. Hand your child the first clue and let them follow the trail through the house.

Download free

Pick an age, download the A4 PDF with answers, and print. No sign-up.

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Frequently asked questions

How many clues does the hunt have?: There are 28 clues in total, sorted into easy, medium, and hard, so you can use all of them or pick a shorter set depending on how much time you have and how old your child is.
What age is this scavenger hunt for?: It works well for children roughly five to ten years old. Read the harder clues aloud for younger kids, and let older kids read and solve the trickier ones on their own for an extra challenge.
Do I need to buy anything for the surprise?: No — the final clue is designed to point to whatever small surprise you already have on hand, whether that's a treat, a note, a new pencil, or nothing at all beyond a proud high-five.
Can I use this if my child already knows where everything is?: Yes. The point isn't to teach your child where their things live — it's to turn a routine week into a game, so even a child who knows every hiding spot still enjoys the hunt.
How long does the hunt take?: Most families finish in fifteen to twenty-five minutes, but there's no rush — you can spread it across a few evenings in the week before school starts instead of doing it all at once.
Can siblings do the hunt together?: Yes, siblings can follow the clues together, take turns reading them aloud, or each get their own printed set and race to the same hiding spots.