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Toddlers (2-5)

Color Scavenger Hunt

A simple, active game for toddlers that helps with color recognition and burns off energy. Can be played indoors or outdoors.

Color Scavenger Hunt is a brilliant developmental tool disguised as a simple game. For toddlers, the world is a kaleidoscope of new colors and shapes, and this game encourages them to observe their environment with focus and purpose. It’s an ideal way to turn a rainy afternoon indoors or a sunny day in the park into an educational adventure. By associating abstract color names with physical objects, children reinforce their cognitive development and vocabulary. Plus, the physical act of "hunting" and "collecting" satisfies their natural curiosity and need for movement. It requires zero preparation and can be adapted to any setting, making it a lifesaver for parents and preschool teachers alike.

Players

Duration

20 min

Budget

Free

Mess Level

Low

Note:Low mess. Just remember to put the found items back where they belong!

📋What You Need

Paper bags or baskets
Markers to draw color swatches (optional)

Hungry Players? 🍕

Planning the food for after the game? Don't guess! Use our free party tools to feed the crowd.

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How to Play

Explain

Tell the kids they need to find items that match specific colors.

Hunt

Call out a color: "Find something BLUE!" and let them race to bring back a blue item.

Collection

Place the items in their basket. Repeat for 5-6 different colors.

Show & Tell

Have everyone sit down and show off the treasures they found.

Pro Tips & Tricks

For older kids, make it a photo scavenger hunt where they have to take pictures of the items.
Prepare a small treat for everyone who completes the hunt.

Fun Variations to Try

✨Texture Hunt

Instead of colors, ask kids to find things that feel different—something "soft," "scratchy," "smooth," or "cold."

✨Photo Scavenger Hunt

For kids who can handle a smartphone or tablet, have them take pictures of the items instead of bringing them back. This works great for fragile or large items.

✨Alphabet Hunt

For slightly older kids, have them find items that start with a specific letter (e.g., "Find something that starts with B!").

Common Questions (FAQ)

QWhat if they can't find a specific color?

Keep it encouraging! If they can't find something "purple," give them a hint or suggest they look for something that has purple on it, like a book cover or a toy.

QHow many colors should we do?

For 2-3 year olds, start with 3 basic colors (Red, Blue, Yellow). For 4-5 year olds, you can expand to 6-8 colors including more complex ones like Teal or Magenta.

QCan we play this with just one child?

Absolutely. It’s a great bonding activity. You can even join in and "race" them to make it more exciting.

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