What you need for a scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt needs more than clues and a route. Each team needs a complete pack, while organizers need clear markers, timing tools, answer sheets and a way to brief everyone at the start. Plan drinks and serving supplies for the finish, especially if teams return at different times. This shopping list covers the items that are easy to overlook, from spare pens and power banks to envelopes, coolers and equipment for announcements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 48
Buffet tablesqty 3
Party tentsqty 2

Game materials

Route mapsqty 50
Assignment cardsqty 60
Answer formsqty 50
Envelopesqty 60
Clipboardsqty 12
Stopwatchesqty 6
Conesqty 30
Directional signsqty 20
Lamination sleevesqty 80
Pensqty 60
Pencilsqty 30
Notepadsqty 12
Team bibsqty 48
Prizesqty 6

Equipment

Megaphone
Portable speaker
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Soup ladlesqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 9
Team stickersqty 60

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning spongesqty 6
Microfiber clothsqty 12
First aid kit

Catering

Groceries
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Wraps - 50 pieces
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Tuna salad - 1 kilogram
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 4 jars
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Green salad - 3 kilograms
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Rood - 24 small bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Pack one envelope per team with its assignment cards, route map, answer form, pencils and a notepad. Add at least two spare pens per team so one missing or broken pen does not stop the game.
Print one route map and answer form per team, plus 10% extra copies. Put the papers in laminating pouches if the route includes rain, mud or outdoor checkpoints.
Use team bibs, cones and arrow signs to make the starting point, finish and checkpoints easy to recognize. Bring at least one spare sign and enough cones to mark each area safely.
Charge the megaphone, portable speaker and power banks the day before. Pack extension cords and power strips for the finish area, but keep electrical equipment away from wet ground and walkways.
For the finish, allow two reusable cups per person if drinks are served in rounds, and provide enough plates, cutlery, serving platters and serving spoons for the planned food. Keep drinks cold in coolers before teams arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a scavenger hunt for 20 people?: Prepare one game pack for each team rather than each person. For 20 participants split into five teams, you need five route maps, five answer forms, five sets of assignment cards and five envelopes, plus spare stationery and markers.
How many pens do I need for a scavenger hunt?: Give each team at least three pens or pencils and keep another 10% as spares. For five teams, pack 15 writing tools and keep two more ready at the start or finish.
How many copies of scavenger hunt clues should I print?: Print one complete clue set for every team, plus one spare set for the organizer. If you have eight teams, prepare nine sets and protect outdoor copies with laminating pouches.
What should I buy for the scavenger hunt finish area?: Plan coolers for the drinks, reusable cups, plates and cutlery, plus serving platters and serving spoons for food. Set these out at least 30 minutes before the first teams are expected back, and include prizes for the winners.

Start this plan in Lizzt

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