What to Buy for a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt needs more than clues and a route. You’ll need supplies for puzzles, team packages, checkpoints, registration, scoring, lighting and the start and finish areas. Buy or gather the items early enough to print, sort and label everything before participants arrive. This list is suited to a hunt with multiple teams moving between marked checkpoints, volunteers supervising activities and drinks served at the event locations.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 35
Party tentqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 3
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Puzzle materials

Clipboardqty 12
Pensqty 40
Pencilsqty 40
Eraserqty 12
Measuring tapesqty 6
Magnifying glassesqty 6
Envelopesqty 60
Plastic storage boxesqty 12
Directional signsqty 20
Chalkboardsqty 8
Sidewalk chalkqty 12
Ropeqty 100
Clothes pegsqty 60
Color cardsqty 60
Number cardsqty 60
Prize boxesqty 6
Calculatorsqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6

Registration

Registration formsqty 40
Score sheetsqty 40
Name stickersqty 40
Badge holdersqty 40
Pen holdersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 45
Reusable platesqty 45
Reusable cutleryqty 45

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving plattersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Cooling tongsqty 3

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 80 pieces
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Lemonade - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Salted popcorn - 3 bags
- Mini cucumbers - 2 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Baby carrots - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus wraps - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Cupcakes - 45 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Garbage bags - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls

Tips

Prepare one complete team package for every team, including printed puzzles, answer sheets, pens or pencils, envelopes and any measuring tapes, magnifying glasses or calculators used in the challenges. Make at least two spare packages for late registrations or missing materials.
Bring more writing supplies than the headcount suggests: plan one pen or pencil per participant plus 10 extra. Keep erasers, clipboards and spare score sheets at the start and finish so teams are not delayed by a lost item.
Mark every checkpoint with a clear directional sign and a backup marker such as sidewalk chalk, a chalkboard, rope or clothes pegs. Pack the signs in numbered plastic storage boxes so volunteers can set them out in route order.
Check power before event day if you use a Bluetooth speaker, extension cords, power strips or LED string lights. Bring flashlights for the final location and route checks, especially if any team may still be out after daylight fades.
Chill drinks at least 4 hours before participants arrive and use coolers at both the start and finish where possible. Keep registration forms, dietary information and score sheets on separate clipboards so paperwork stays dry and easy to find.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a scavenger hunt?: Plan for printed puzzles, answer sheets, score sheets, envelopes, pens or pencils, clipboards and the specific challenge tools, such as measuring tapes, magnifying glasses, calculators or stopwatches. Add checkpoint signs, storage boxes and spare materials for each team.
How many pens do I need for a scavenger hunt?: Provide at least one pen or pencil per participant, then add 10 spare writing tools for a typical group. Keep several extras with the registration team and in the finish area rather than putting every pen into the team packages.
When should I buy supplies for a scavenger hunt?: Buy durable equipment and puzzle materials at least 1 week ahead. Finish printing, packing and labeling team materials 1 to 2 days before the hunt, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before the start.
What do I need at scavenger hunt checkpoints?: Each checkpoint needs a visible sign or marker, the puzzle materials required for that station and a way to record results, such as a clipboard, score sheet or stopwatch. Pack each station separately and give volunteers a route order before setup begins.

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