This free printable emoji-themed Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt is a fun game for kids of all ages to play inside or out!
Hosting a neighborhood scavenger hunt is a creative way to get kids active, meet new people, and increase feelings of joy and community. In this post, learn how how to organize one, then download our free printable resource to share with your neighbors.
Related: Nature Scavenger Hunt
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Nothing quite builds the feeling of neighborhood community like a good old fashioned block party, except for maybe a neighborhood scavenger hunt!
In our neighborhood, participating families agreed to display emojis on their home or around their property, in a location that was visible from the sidewalk.
As the organizer, I placed additional emojis on fire hydrants, light poles, trees, and on the ground. The kids were so excited to play!
Regarding Current Events: Since publishing this post, I’ve received several angry emails from readers who have interpreted “stay at home” orders to mean absolutely no fresh air or stepping foot outside the home, even to their own backyard. 😱 My state’s governor has encouraged people to get outside to exercise, garden, and take care of pets, while of course, maintaining a safe social distance of 6 feet from others. Regulations may be different in your city—do follow your city’s rules and take care of you!
Our neighborhood scavenger hunt was 100% organized over social media. Kids have been able to hunt for emojis without talking to, touching, meeting with, or breathing near other people. There are now over 100 emojis in our neighborhood and it’s been a joy to see children laughing, smiling, waving to friends from afar, and enjoying fresh air and quality time with their parents.
By design, this scavenger hunt game can safely be played with neighbors while social distancing. It’s a “looking” scavenger hunt; not a “gathering” scavenger hunt. (And if you truly can’t get outside for fresh air, I’m sending virtual hugs. Hang in there!)
Materials for Scavenger Hunt
- Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt PDF
- White cardstock
- Color printer
- Scissors
- Laminator (optional)
- Clipboard (optional)
Directions for Scavenger Hunt
1. Use social media, such as a Facebook Group, to organize a group of neighbors willing to participate, then choose the dates of the scavenger hunt. Our neighborhood left emojis out for one week to give families the opportunity to play multiple times.
2. Each participating family should download and print the emoji-themed Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt. Every family will need to print a recording sheet for each child, as well as several emojis to place around their property.
3. Cut out your chosen emoji. If desired, laminate the emoji with a home laminator or clear contact paper, or place it inside a clear gallon-sized plastic bag to protect it from rain and snow.
If you are playing inside an apartment building or just planning on hanging the emoji inside a window (facing the sidewalk), there is no need to laminate them.
Regarding Current Events: If you live in an apartment building, it’s probably not a safe idea to play as a community indoors. Move play outdoors around the complex, or keep it inside your own apartment with your own family.
4. Place the emoji in a location where it will be visible from the sidewalk. Some ideas include windows, trees, mailboxes, garage doors, and gardens. You may need to secure the emoji with tape or a thumbtack.
Tip: Tape a popsicle stick to the back of the emoji so you can stake it to the ground!
5. Give each child a scavenger hunt recording sheet, a clipboard, and a pencil. If you don’t have a clipboard, you could use a piece of cardboard or a light hardcover book.
6. Instruct kids to draw a tally mark for each emoji they find on their walk. Count the tallies at the end, then ask:
- How many emojis were there in all?
- Which emoji was there the most of?
- Which emoji was there the least of?
- What emoji was your favorite?
- Where was the silliest place we found an emoji?
Take it Further
I have to thank my neighbors for this great idea! Many of them have begun moving their emojis at night so they are in a new place the next day…then the hunt begins again! So much fun! 🤣
What If My Neighbors Won’t Participate?
No worries—this game can be played inside your home or around your yard with just your own family! It’s still a fun way to get some fresh air, get kids moving, and have fun together.
More Outdoor Activities for Kids
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
This free printable emoji-themed Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt is a fun game for kids of all ages to play inside or out!
Materials
- Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt PDF
- White cardstock
- Color printer
- Laminator (optional)
- Clipboard (optional)
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Use social media to organize a group of neighbors willing to participate, then choose the dates of the scavenger hunt.
- Each participating family should download and print the emoji-themed Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt. Every family will need to print a recording sheet for each child, as well as several emojis to place around their property.
- Cut out your chosen emoji. If desired, laminate the emoji with a home laminator or clear contact paper, or place it inside a clear gallon-sized plastic bag to protect it from rain and snow.
- Place the emoji in a location where it will be visible from the sidewalk. Some ideas include windows, trees, mailboxes, garage doors, and gardens. You may need to secure the emoji with tape or a thumbtack.
- Give each child a scavenger hunt recording sheet, a clipboard, and a pencil. If you don’t have a clipboard, you could use a piece of cardboard or a light hardcover book.
- Instruct kids to draw a tally mark for each emoji they find on their walk.
- When the game is over, don't forget to clean up!
Notes
Tape a popsicle stick to the back of the emoji so you can stake it to the ground!
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Joyette says
I love this idea! Thank you. I have to admit that the tightwad in me thought “So much yellow ink!” lol – which got me thinking – wouldn’t it be fun to draw different emoji’s on paper plates and have the kids color them?. (That would burn another hour or so, right?)
Bonus side effect: Drawing different facial expressions together can be a useful conversation starter for families: “Today I feel _______” is the start of self assessment and emotional awareness. I don’t think a frowny emoji is appropriate for this scavenger hunt activity (way to be a downer, right?) However, being able to identify our not so pleasant emotions is key to being able to communicate what we are feeling and to ask for what we need. A simple emoji can say a lot when our words are hard to find.
Melissa Lennig says
You certainly could draw your own emojis with a paper plate or just a cut-out circle. 🙂