How to organise a walking quiz from route to final scores

A walking quiz combines a guided route with questions at fixed points, so the route needs to work before the quiz does. Start by fixing the date, securing the starting location and checking permits or notifications. Then walk the full route, choose the question points and test the timing. Only after that should you finalise teams, print booklets and answer forms, and brief volunteers. The details people miss are usually practical: unclear arrows, too few pens, missing dietary information and no plan for late answers or bad weather.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Record date and route
2 people
2
Reserve starting location
3
Check permits and notifications
4
Set the quiz theme and rules
2 people
5
Scout the route in advance
2 people
6
Prepare quiz questions
2 people
7
Create Answers and Scoring
2 people
8
Select route points
2 people
9
Check route points
2 people
10
Send invitations
11
Process registrations
12
Collect dietary requirements
13
Prepare team assignments
14
Brief volunteers
2 people
15
Order prizes
16
Book catering
17
Check the shopping list
18
Do the shopping
2 people
19
Print quiz booklets
20
Print answer forms
21
Print route maps
22
Distribute materials per team
2 people
23
Prepare route arrows and signs
2 people
24
Check the weather forecast

Event

25
Open the starting location
2 people
26
Set up tables and chairs
3 people
27
Set up party tents
4 people
28
Set up the information desk
2 people
29
Prepare quiz materials
2 people
30
Place route arrows
3 people
31
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
32
Chill drinks
2 people
33
Register participants
3 people
34
Assemble teams
2 people
35
Explain the game rules
36
Hand out quiz booklets
2 people
37
Start walking quiz
2 people
38
Check route stations
3 people
39
Refill drinks
2 people
40
Serve snacks
2 people
41
Welcome arriving teams
2 people
42
Collect answer sheets
2 people
43
Check answers
3 people
44
Check the result
2 people
45
Announce the winners
46
Present prizes
2 people

Aftercare

47
Remove route arrows
3 people
48
Collect materials
3 people
49
Collect waste
2 people
50
Wash dishes
2 people
51
Clean the venue
3 people
52
Clear tables and chairs
3 people
53
Take down party tents
4 people
54
Store materials dry
2 people
55
Return borrowed items
2 people
56
Delete route data

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Information desk
High tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving traysqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Megaphone
Mobile phoneqty 2

Quiz materials

Quiz bookletsqty 20
Answer formsqty 20
Route mapsqty 20
Clipboardsqty 20
Ballpoint pensqty 60
Spare pencilsqty 20
Calculatorsqty 4
Score sheetsqty 5
Directional signsqty 25
Arrowsqty 30
Conesqty 20
Markersqty 12
Tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Staplersqty 3
Staple stripsqty 6
Prizesqty 3

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 10

Safety

Flashlightsqty 6
Reflective vestsqty 8
First aid kit
Umbrellasqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Walk the complete route in advance, including every quiz point. Record realistic walking times and check whether signs, cones or arrows will still be visible at each turn.
Set the quiz rules before writing the questions: team size, answer deadlines, scoring method and what happens when a team skips a point. Print the rules in every quiz booklet.
Prepare one complete material pack per team, with a booklet, answer forms, route map, clipboard and pens. Add spare pencils and keep an extra pack at the information desk.
Brief volunteers with exact locations and handover times, not just general instructions. Give the person at each route point the relevant questions, score sheets and a mobile phone contact.
Check the forecast before opening the starting location and prepare shelter, power and refreshments accordingly. Test coffee machines, kettles, extension cords and power strips before participants arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to organise a walking quiz?: Allow at least 2 to 3 weeks for a small walking quiz. You need time to reserve the starting location, check the route, confirm registrations and print the quiz materials; allow an extra week if permits or catering are required.
How many questions should a walking quiz have?: Plan about 5 to 8 questions per route point and allow 10 to 15 minutes at each point. A route with 5 points therefore usually needs 25 to 40 questions, depending on walking time and the difficulty of the quiz.
How many people should be in one walking quiz team?: Teams of 3 to 5 people are practical for a walking quiz. They can read the map and discuss answers together without making the group too slow; prepare team assignments before the event rather than at the start.
When should I print the quiz booklets and answer forms?: Print them 2 to 3 days before the quiz, after registrations and team assignments are final. Keep at least 10% spare copies, plus extra pens, so one lost booklet or missing answer form does not delay the start.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.