National Scavenger Hunt Day

Keerthana Ramasamy
Dec 22, 2023 By Keerthana Ramasamy
Originally Published on Mar 19, 2022
Learn about National Scavenger Hunt Day here at Kidadl.

Where is National Scavenger Hunt Day celebrated?

National day for scavenger hunts is celebrated annually as a national holiday in all states of the US.

Who is National Scavenger Hunt Day celebrated by?

It is a nation-specific fun holiday that anyone can celebrate, especially if you love adventure.

When did National Scavenger Hunt Day first start?

There are no traces of when the day began, but it may have started in 2010.

Who started National Scavenger Hunt Day?

There are no official records of the origin or founder of the day.

History And Timeline

The word scavenger comes from the 14th-century English word 'Scawageour', referring to officials who collected taxes. Learn the origin and history of scavenger hunts in the US.

Letterboxing

In the 1850s, an outdoor treasure hunt activity that combines art and problem-solving elements was introduced.

1850s

Scavenger Hunt In America

According to game scholar Markus Montola, scavenger hunts evolved from ancient folk games. It was popularized in the US by gossip columnist Elsa Maxwell when she hosted a series of exclusive New York parties with scavenger hunts in the early '30s.

'30s

First Film

The first scavenger-hunting film, My Man Godfrey, was released on September 6, 1936.

1936

Modern Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are regularly held at American universities, a notable modern example being the University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt, founded in 1987.

1987

Internet Hunt

The first internet hunt was developed in 1992 by Rick Gates to encourage people to explore the resources available online.

1992

Traditions And Customs

Scavenger hunts became popular weekend games in the US, played in parties, gatherings, and holidays. Every year on this day and your holidays, practice your riddle-making and create a scavenger hunt for family and friends.

Scavenger hunts are also a good way to boost employee engagement. So, every year on Scavenger Hunt Day, prepare riddles to solve and find the items to keep the workday interesting.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day

There are a ton of ways to make scavenger hunts fun. Start by inviting your friends and family and organizing a scavenger hunt with a specific theme like 'Finding Missing Objects'.

If you have children, then scavenger hunt is the must-play game. Hide items in your backyard and ask your children to team up and search for them. It improves their concentration, attention, team spirit, and curiosity.

You can also participate in friendly and competitive scavenger hunts available during the holiday. They group people into teams, and team members are ready to participate in hunts. The first team to finish all tasks wins prizes.

Facts And Stats

  • The town in Utah, Provo, currently holds the Guinness World Record for organizing the world's largest scavenger hunt with 2,079 participants. This is probably why the US recognized a national day for the scavenger hunt.
  • A day to observe a scavenger hunt has been around for a few years. The first existence of the game can be traced back to the 17th century in Pennsylvania Dutch.
  • In 2020, the possible traces of a national day for scavenger hunts led us to a world record event conducted by an application that hosted a custom scavenger hunt experience where teams around the globe participated from their own homes.

What are some good scavenger hunt clues?

Some popular ideas are photos or video montages, colors, descriptive words, puzzles, or riddles. Some popular themes are nature-based, Christmas, Easter, or Halloween themes.

How long should the scavenger hunt last?

The duration can be 30 minutes to an hour approximately. But you can set durations based on your clues and hunt group. The longest treasure hunting lasted for 2 hours.

When is National Scavenger Hunt Day?

The day is celebrated every year on May 24.

What are some essential things we need to keep in mind while celebrating Scavenger Hunt Day?

Start with a vision or idea and an end goal with many fun challenges. Now, hide your clues in spots relatively unseen to the naked eye. There should be one narrator who sets clues or tasks.

Why do most kids like National Scavenger Hunt Day?

It allows kids to practice problem-solving in a fun way, and when played as a team, it improves their team spirit.

Why is there a lot of buzz around National Scavenger Hunt Day?

It helps promote teamwork and social skills. It's also a fantastic way to break the ice and encourage new friendships.

What are some advantages to celebrating National Scavenger Hunt Day?

Scavenger hunts are more than just a game; they keep children busy and encourage players to develop critical thinking skills and creativity.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Sunday, May 24, 2020
  • Monday, May 24, 2021
  • Tuesday, May 24, 2022
  • Wednesday, May 24, 2023
  • Friday, May 24, 2024

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Sources

https://nationaltoday.com/national-scavenger-hunt-day/

https://www.holidayscalendar.com/event/national-scavenger-hunt-day/

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/scavenger-hunt-day

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Written by Keerthana Ramasamy

Bachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Keerthana Ramasamy picture

Keerthana RamasamyBachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

With a background in electrical and electronics engineering from Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Keerthana brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative flair to her role as a content writer. Her natural curiosity and passion for exploring new career paths led her to the exciting world of content marketing, where she has honed her content optimization, SEO, and Google Analytics skills. Keerthana's experience as a Content Marketing Specialist at GetMyUni has provided her with hands-on experience in digital marketing and editing, allowing her to create engaging and impactful content.

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