9 Best Church Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Fun Fellowship

Looking to jazz up your church gatherings? And I’m glad you’re thinking about tossing a church scavenger hunt into the mix.

Because making your church events more fun doesn’t have to be rocket science.

The idea here is to transform your run-of-the-mill church visit into a game for all ages – one that can bring adults AND kids (take that short attention spans!) in the same room to get excited about God.

Key Takeaways

• It’s not just kids and teens, Sunday schools, and youth groups in on the hunt action –  adults, even grumpy Mr. Jenkins gets a chance to crack a smile.
• From Bible verse trivia to photo hunts and Christian symbol hunts, there’s ways to put a playful spin on the hunt to mix faith, fun, and fellowship for everyone.
• Unlike regular hunts, clues and challenges for church scavenger hunts are mini-missions to teach, inspire, and bring those Bible tales down to Earth.
• Behind the scenes, it’s all about planning, rule-setting, and prize-picking. Organizing a scavenger hunt is like herding sheep with a smile – everyone’s having fun, but you’ve got the shepherd’s crook.
• Of coure the ultimate prize of the hunt is learning more about God…but prizes are always nice. Invest in some for everyone that participates.

1. Bible Verse Hunt

Join a Bible scavenger hunt for faith-filled fun! Explore your church and its surroundings with clever clues to uncover hidden Bible verses. It’s not just a game; it’s a hands-on way to engage with God’s teachings.

As you follow the clues, each scripture you find connects you to the Bible’s wisdom.

The Bible Verse Hunt isn’t just an activity; it’s a path to understanding the richness of what Bible’s all about.

The Bible Verse Hunt helps bring the Bible to life for all ages at youth groups, family events, or Bible studies.

“The nice thing about church scavenger hunts is that you can blend this into pretty much any holiday – especially if you’re creative.  Easter is typically a go-to-especially with egg hunts and such.  But, Halloween and Christmas can be used as themes for hunts, too.  A biblical spin just has to be put on them. Cool, right?”  – Aquita, Fun Party Tips

2. Photo Ops Hunt – CHURCH PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT, SNAPSHOT STYLE

Level up your church scavenger hunt with a modern twist: the Photo Ops Hunt! Turn the church grounds into a live-action puzzle, where each photo leads to the next clue. 

Here’s how it works: Teams get a list of photo challenges, like snapping pics in front of old stained-glass windows or acting out iconic Bible scenes.

This hunt gets church members exploring and interacting and seeing their surroundings in a new way. *fingers crossed*

3. Christian Symbol Hunt

Follow the trail of different symbols that’ll lead you on a whirlwind through the Bible stories, with a side of fun.

Kids run (um, carefully stroll) around hunting for symbols and asking about their meaning and adults spend quiet moments uncover stories they might’ve forgotten.

Symbol	Description	Biblical Reference
Cross	Representation of Christ’s sacrifice or “Why we need to be greatful”	1 Corinthians 1:18
Alpha and Omega	Indicating God’s eternal nature or “I’ve been around the block and then some”	Revelation 22:13
Fish (Ichthys)	Symbol of Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus, because those fish stickers on bumpers aren’t just for show	Matthew 4:19
Dove	Symbolizing the Holy Spirit and peace	Matthew 3:16

4. Miracles of Creation Hunt

This is a where Bible trivia meets God’s natural world masterpieces – a pause in busy lives to cherish the beauty of God’s creation.

To amp up your nature exploration, here’s a playful guide of items to spot, linking the miracles of the outdoors with Scripture:

Natural Element	Description	Scriptural Connection
Plant Parade	Plants or trees of different species	Genesis 1:11-12 – God’s creation of vegetation
Feathered Friends	Observation of local birds	Matthew 6:26 – Birds as an example of God’s care
Living Waters	Streams, lakes, or ponds	Psalm 23:2 – Waters of peace and provision
Insect Insights	Insects at work or in habitat	Proverbs 6:6 – Learning diligence from ants
Stone of Significance	Geological formations or specimens	Romans 9:33 – Christ as the cornerstone

5. Bible Book Hunt: An Exciting Challenge for Church Youth Groups

This dynamic activity is the perfect mix of fun and faith for church youth groups. It’s a treasure hunt with a divine mission: to navigate through the twists and turns of both the New and Old Testaments.

Here’s how to gear up for this quest:

• Choose your adventure scale: Will it be a select sprint through key books, or a grand marathon covering the whole Bible?
• Design clues that reflect the spirit of the scriptures. Each riddle is a gateway to the stories, symbols, and lessons of the Bible.
• Rally the troops! Solving scripture-based puzzles is a team sport.
• Spice it up with interactive challenges that echo the Bible’s teachings, blending scriptural wisdom with real-world fun.

Here’s an example of how you might structure the clues for your scavenger hunt:

Book of the Bible	Clue Description	Location Hint	Interactive Challenge
Genesis	Seek the beginnings, where creation took shape	Near the baptistry, symbolizing new life	Sketch your own version of the Garden of Eden
Ruth	Find the story of devotion and harvest	Check the community garden plot	Gather handfuls of grains or leaves
Matthew	A gospel tale, where beatitudes are heard	Walk the path of our church’s mount	Write a modern beatitude reflective of today’s society
Revelation	Reveal the book with visions and prophecy	Scan the area where the future is often discussed	Share an inspiring vision for your community’s future

6. Fruit of the Spirit Hunt

In the Fruit of the Spirit Hunt hunt you scout out cool and fun ways to show the nine behaviors that Christians are supposed to show: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Let’s hear it for Galatians 5:22-23)

Here’s some practical ways to bring the fruit of the spirit to life within your church’s small groups:

• Love: Perform a random act of kindness for a fellow church member.
• Joy: Share a testimony of a joyful moment in your life with the group.
• Peace: Spend a few minutes in prayer for peace within your community.
• Patience: Partner up and solve a challenging puzzle together.
• Kindness: Craft handmade cards to brighten a neighbor’s day.
• Goodness: Organize a mini community cleanup.
• Faithfulness: Discuss what faithfulness means to each participant.
• Gentleness: Engage in a gentle yoga session or quiet reflection time.
• Self-control: Participate in a friendly competition requiring restraint.

Here’s a little guide to show you how each “fruit” can be a part of this awesome game:

Fruit of the Spirit	Activity Idea	Reflection Prompt
Love	Prepare a meal for a local family in need.	What does love in action look like for you?
Joy	Share a funny story or joke to make others laugh.	How does joy manifest in your daily life?
Peace	Participate in a group meditation focused on peace.	When have you felt true peace and how can you spread it?
Patience	Take turns listening without interrupting.	How can patience improve your relationships?
Kindness	Collect items to donate to a charity.	What act of kindness has impacted you recently?
Goodness	Create a ‘good deeds’ board where everyone can post.	What does living a good life signify to you?
Faithfulness	Discuss stories of faith under challenging circumstances.	In what ways do you demonstrate faithfulness?
Gentleness	Practice deep listening in pairs.	How does gentleness affect the way you communicate?
Self-control	Challenge the group with a no-sweets week.	How does self-control contribute to personal growth?

7. Parable Hunt: Exploring the Teachings of Jesus

It’s a chance to connect those old stories to our lives right now and get a whole new view on things from the Bible – but in a fun way

Take the Parable of the Mustard Seed, for example. Can you find something really tiny that grows into something huge?

It could be a little plant in a community garden or a small drawing that turns into a big art project. These are like real-life versions of the parable, helping us see how small things can make a big difference.

Here’s some fun challenges you can try and what they mean:

• Mustard Seed Challenge: Look for something tiny that represents growth and talk about how small actions can lead to big changes.
• Lost Coin Challenge: Hunt for a hidden coin or something valuable and discuss the joy of finding something you thought was gone forever.
• Good Samaritan Challenge: Do a random act of kindness for someone and share stories about helping others in need.
• Prodigal Son Challenge: Create a story or play about forgiveness and second chances.

These are just a few starters for your Parable Adventure. Each challenge is a fun way to see how those old stories from the Bible are still super relevant to us today:

Parable	Challenge	Symbolism
The Good Samaritan	Perform a random act of kindness	Compassion for your neighbor
The Prodigal Son	Share a personal story of forgiveness	Redemption and acceptance
The Lost Sheep	Find an object that feels out of place	Guidance and the value of every individual
The Sower	Plant seeds or start a planter	Spreading the message and growth

8. Easter Story Hunt

If you gear up for a Easter Story hunt, think of it as a mix of Easter egg hunting fun and a dive into the Bible. 

Scurry around the church looking for hidden eggs, but each one you find is like a mini history lesson.

Inside these eggs are little treasures – pieces of scripture or symbols that bring to life different parts of the Easter story (and a treat or two, as well!)

Let’s break down what could be written in on the slips inside the Easter eggs:

• Rock: It’s not just a rock; it represents Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith. (Ephesians 2:20)
• Piece of Bread: Think back to the Last Supper every time you find one. (Luke 22:19)
• Small Cross: A powerful symbol of the Crucifixion. (John 19:17-18)
• Empty Egg: Just like the empty tomb, it’s a sign of Jesus’ resurrection. (Mark 16:6)
• White Cloth: This one stands for the miracle of the Resurrection. (John 20:5-7)

9. Nativity Scene Scavenger Hunt 

Blend the thrill of a scavenger hunt with a meaningful exploration of the Nativity story, creating a festive and insightful experience for everyone.

Here’s a table of riddles and locations for your Nativity Scene Scavenger Hunt. Each riddle leads to a location where a symbolic item from the Nativity story can be found.

Riddle	Item	Suggested Location
“Underneath the brightest light, find the star that shone so bright.”	Small Star	Near the church’s main light fixture or a spotlight.
“Where you rest when songs are sung, find where the Christ Child was among.”	Tiny Manger	In a pew or near the choir area.
“High above where choirs sing, an angel spreads its heavenly wing.”	Angel Figurine	On a high shelf or window sill in the choir area.
“Among the flock in a quiet stance, find the tool of a shepherd’s glance.”	Shepherd’s Staff	Near a picture or statue of sheep in the church.
“Where wise words are often heard, find three gifts of ancient worth.”	Gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh	Near the pulpit or a place where they can be displayed

Spicing Up Your Church Scavenger Hunt

So, you’ve got the fun job of creating scavenger hunt clues for your church event. Here’s the plan: mix a bit of laughs with learning.  

Make sure your clues aren’t just stepping stones from one church corner to another.

They’re more like fun little puzzles that get everyone thinking about the Bible in cool, new ways – you want to entertain AND enlighten.

Check out the table below for a lineup of clues that are smart, sound, and stay true to the spirit of a church scavenger hunt.

Clue Type	Description	Example
Biblical Riddles	Riddles based on scripture and characters.	“I was swallowed by a great fish when I tried to run; find the place where singing praises has just begun.”
Historic Puzzles	Clues involving church history and landmarks.	“This tower of stone has seen many a year, seek its base to find what you hold dear.”
Reflection Questions	Prompts that encourage introspection and discussion	“Where in our church would you find a peaceful moment to ‘Be still, and know that I am God’? The next clue awaits you there.”
Action Clues	Tasks that involve performing an activity.	“To advance you must first give back, find a way to brighten someone’s day within this holy track.”

Organizational Tips for a Smooth Running Event

You’ve got a grand vision – your church scavenger hunt is going to be epic, uplifting, and fun.

But to morph this dream into a day to remember, you’ve got to get yourself (AND this church scavenger hunt!) together.

As the adult leader, it’s up to you to make sure that your youth leaders and teams get a hefty dose of fun, order, and direction.

Here’s your game plan:

1. Craft a Master Blueprint: Whip up a detailed plan that covers every step, from the first high-five at the meet-up to the final cheer at the celebration.
2. Delegate with Pizzazz: Hand out tasks to your youth leaders like you’re doling out party favors. Make sure they know what they’re doing.
3. Prep Like a Pro: Sort out all the nitty-gritty details way before D-Day. Pin down check-in spots, plan your routes, and get your gear ready ahead of time to dodge those pesky last-minute scrambles.
4. Set the Stage: Lay down the rules and goals clearly before kick-off. 
5. Stay Connected: Keep the lines of communication buzzing during the event. Regular check-ins are like your radar – they help you catch and fix any snags fast.

Prizes for Your Church Scavenger Hunt

Let’s talk treasure! While planning your church’s scavenger hunt, you’ll want to think about what kind of loot will get your teams crazy with excitement.

Here’s some prize ideas that’ll add an extra sprinkle of excitement and friendly competition to your scavenger hunt:

1. Gift Card Gold: For the team that hits the jackpot, how about gift cards to local eateries or shops? They’re like a universal ‘thank you’ note that suits everyone, from the little to the young at heart.
2. Awards for Awesomeness: Spot the most outside-the-box thinkers and high-fivers? Did they show that they can really work together? Reward their creativity and team spirit with custom trophies or medals. 
3. Church Swag Surprises: Think about dishing out church-themed swag like cool t-shirts, hats, or tote bags – wearable memories of a great day.
4. Exclusive Hangout Passes: Unlocking the church youth room for a movie or gaming night as a prize?
5. Pick-a-Prize Table: Set a table where everyone, not just the winners, can grab a little something to remember the day by.  You may want to keep a couple of extra tokens tucked away – like candy and other trinkets.

Over to You

Which scavenger hunt do you think you’d like to try for your next event?  Let me know in the comments below.