What to Buy for a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt needs more than clues and a route. You need separate materials for each team, visible route markers, timing and communication equipment, plus food and drinks at the start or finish. This shopping list covers 51 items, including team bibs, stopwatches, megaphones, power banks, coolers, serving equipment and lighting. Check the route and team count before shopping so you buy enough copies, containers and refreshments without leaving essentials until the event day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Registration desk

Sports equipment

Conesqty 20
Stopwatchesqty 4
Whistlesqty 6
Team bibsqty 40
Measuring tapesqty 4

Equipment

Megaphone
Mobile phonesqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 6

Tableware

Glassesqty 50
Mugsqty 30
Platesqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 50

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving plattersqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Decorations

Start and finish signqty 2
Route arrowsqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 4
Tableclothsqty 6
Team flagsqty 10

Catering

Water jugsqty 6
Ice packsqty 20
Prizesqty 10
Table numbersqty 10
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Coffee creamer - 2 tubs
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Cleaning clothsqty 10
Broomqty 2
Litter pickerqty 2
Hand sanitizerqty 4

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Reflective vestsqty 8

Paper goods

Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 40
Pencilsqty 40
Envelopesqty 50
Printer paperqty 250
Tapeqty 6
Waterproof markersqty 12

Tools

Scissorsqty 4
Hammerqty 2
Herringqty 30

Tips

Prepare one team pack for every team, with printed task cards, a route map, team identification and the equipment needed at stations. Add a few spare copies and replacements before sealing the packs.
Buy or gather enough route markers to make every turn clear, including cones, arrows, flags or barrier tape. Walk the route beforehand and mark places where signs could be missed or moved.
Plan timing and communication together: stopwatches for supervisors, whistles for station signals, a megaphone for group instructions and charged mobile phones with power banks for the route team.
Keep drinks cold in coolers and bring enough glasses, mugs and water jugs for the expected group. Prepare serving platters, knives and cutlery before guests arrive instead of trying to set up while teams are leaving.
If any part of the hunt runs in low light, pack LED lights, torches, extension cords and spare power banks before loading the vehicle. Test the sound and lighting equipment at least one day in advance.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a scavenger hunt?: Plan for team packs, printed task and route materials, route markers, timing and communication equipment, tables, chairs, food, drinks and lighting. The prepared list contains 51 items, including stopwatches, team bibs, cones, coolers and power banks.
How many scavenger hunt materials do I need per team?: Prepare one complete pack for each team and add at least one spare set of printed materials. Team bibs, task cards, route maps and any station-specific equipment should be counted against the final number of teams.
How much food and drink should I buy for a scavenger hunt?: For drinks, allow two to three servings per person for the first hour, then add more for a longer event or warm weather. Buy food for everyone who is attending, including supervisors, and use the collected dietary requirements when choosing snacks and sandwiches.
When should I buy and prepare scavenger hunt supplies?: Buy non-perishable materials several days before the hunt and assemble team packs at least one day ahead. Chill drinks and prepare sandwiches on the day, while route signs, lighting and sound equipment should be checked before the event starts.

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