Fun Scavenger Hunt Activities with b is for ball™
Looking for an exciting and educational activity to keep your 3-6 years old little ones entertained? How about a scavenger hunt using b is for ball™! This engaging game, recommended by Candice Grudowski, a Pediatric Speech Therapist based in Chicago, not only provides endless fun but also helps children develop their language and problem-solving skills. Here’s how you can set up a fantastic scavenger hunt.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Set Up Your Hunt: First, hide a mystery object, toy, or surprise in a safe place in your home. Depending on your child’s age, the scavenger hunt can take place in a single room, the backyard, or across the entire house. The key is to make sure the hiding spots are safe and accessible for your child.
- Gather Your Materials: You’ll need a few scraps of paper to write your clues.
Expert tips: Candice suggests using prepositions like “under,” “behind,” and “in” to make the clues educational. For example, “Look behind the couch” or “Check under the table.” You can also use descriptive language or inferences to make it more challenging.
- Prepare the Clues: Write each clue on a scrap of paper. Clue #1 stays out and will be given to your child at the start of the hunt. Place clue #2 and clue #3 inside b is for ball™. Each clue should lead to the next “ooooooo” and “ahhhhhhh” until your child finds the final surprise.
- Ready, Set, Go! Hand your child the first clue and let the adventure begin! Watch as they eagerly search for each clue, using their problem-solving skills and building resilience along the way.
Why Scavenger Hunts Are Great
Candice also shares, “I love using scavenger hunts to build suspense and wonder in kids (‘I wonder where it could be?’ ‘Let’s go find it!’). Scavenger hunts marry movement and language learning opportunities beautifully, while practicing problem-solving and building resilience!”
Watch Candice’s Finding Woody REEL, where she breaks down everything for you in 30 seconds!
Modify the Hunt to Tailor to Your Little One
Broaden the Search Area: This scavenger hunt activity is designed for children aged 3-6 years but can be easily modified to suit older children by increasing the complexity of the clues and the difficulty of the hiding spots to keep them challenged and engaged.
Increase the Difficulty of the Clues: Depending on your child's reading ability, you can also include a few new vocabulary words to advance their comprehension skills.
Themed or Missioned Hunt: To make your scavenger hunt even more exciting, consider creating a themed hunt or missioned hunt based on your child’s interests. Whether it’s a pirate treasure hunt, a fairy adventure, or a superhero quest, adding a theme can make the activity even more exciting!
Scavenger hunts with b is for ball™ are a fantastic way to combine fun and learning. They provide a great opportunity for children to practice language skills, improve problem-solving abilities, and build resilience—all while having a blast.
