by Nicole LaChance, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Happy National Scavenger Hunt Day! Did you know scavenger hunts have numerous benefits for kids? I explore a few below.
- Build Problem-Solving Skills
Hands-on learning has numerous benefits, including increased memory of previously taught concepts. Scavenger hunts allow kids to practice problem-solving in a tangible way. It helps to reinforce and act-out methods they have been taught by parents or teachers in a physical way, leading to increased retention of the lessons.
- Easy to Customize
Scavenger hunts are easy to customize to your child’s abilities and interests. Is your child really into pirates? Create a “treasure” hunt with pirate-themed clues. Do you have a math-lover in your life? Have them solve number problems to get to the next clue. If you are doing a hunt with multiple kids you can give each of them individual clues based on their ability. There are endless possibilities!
- Exercise both body and mind
As discussed above, scavenger hunts help exercise the mind by reinforcing problem-solving skills. However, they can also be good exercise for the body. You can incorporate clues that get kids moving and running from place to place. You can even get creative and have your child run to the top of a hill, wander into the woods or climb a tree for the next clue. Get those legs moving!
- Teach Teamwork
Participating in a group scavenger hunt at school or for fun helps teach kids the value of teamwork, in addition to promoting social interaction. Kids will have to work together to solve clues and get to the final destination. Learning to work in a team is an essential skill throughout a child’s life, so why not teach it in a fun way?
Are you ready to send your child on a scavenger hunt? There are several resources on the web to find ideas and outlines for hunts. I recommend Pintrest if you don’t know where to start. Happy hunting!
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Nicole LaChance graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Journalism before moving West in pursuit of milder winters. Prior to joining the IEA team, she spent time working in marketing for an architecture firm and completed two years of national service in the AmeriCorps program. Over the past few years she has worked with nonprofits to communicate their message and impact to the world around them, work she is excited to continue at IEA. When not at the office, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling wherever she can and making bad puns.