A scavenger hunt for adults can consist of five observation tasks on a walk and a shared goal at the end. You don't need to hide things around town or create a big event. Here you get your own plan to copy, with tasks that do not require participants to know the area beforehand. If you would rather have the whole group participate without anyone preparing the answers, a ready-made city mystery may be another option.
The mysteries in this guide
In this guide
Decide on a location, time, and what counts as an answer
Choose a defined public area where you are allowed to be, such as a few blocks or a park. Plan for about 30–45 minutes as an initial test run, not as a promise of how long each group will need. Make sure there is a clear starting point and a meeting place at the end.
Decide in advance whether participants should show a photo, point out the location, or write an explanation. Do not hide envelopes on private property or attach anything to buildings. An observation scavenger hunt works without you leaving any items behind.
Five tasks for your own scavenger hunt
Give each group the list below. Several different solutions are allowed; an accepted solution must be able to be shown and explained. This makes the game possible even if the location lacks a certain statue or sign.
- Find a year: write it down and describe where it is located. If you don't find one, choose a clear number and explain what it is used for.
- Discover a recurring pattern: find three shapes or details that repeat, for example in a fence or a facade.
- See a letter in the environment: look for a shape that resembles a letter without using a regular page of text or sign.
- Compare old and new: choose two visible details that you think were added at different times. Explain what your guess is based on; you do not need to determine their age.
- Give the final location a title: write a short headline for the walk with at least two things you actually saw.
You do not need to photograph other people. Avoid license plates, residential windows, and other private property when documenting your finds. Those who do not want to take photos can show the location or take notes instead.
Make it collaborative or add points
For a relaxed activity, it is enough for everyone to complete five tasks and gather at the end. If you want to compete, each task can be worth one point when the group shows an answer that follows the instructions. Decide that several teams can receive full points, so that a creative solution does not have to be judged as worse than the organizer's own.
Do not let speed outweigh safety and consideration. No task should require running across a street, climbing, or entering where you are not allowed to be. Take turns with the list so that one person does not do all the work.
Scavenger hunt or murder mystery: what is the difference?
In the plan above, the goal is to collect observations. A city mystery, on the other hand, has a continuous story and specific tasks that lead you through a fictional case. It is not the same product as a scavenger hunt with a hidden prize, even though both can involve searching and collaborating outdoors.
At Mysteriejakten, there are ready-made games in Gamla stan, Haga, Örebro city center, and Wadköping. The group plays with the booklet and the Archive on their mobile phone, without any participant needing to read the solution in advance.
Choose your own plan or ready-made material
Your own scavenger hunt is suitable when you want to control the location, make the tasks personal, or try an activity without buying a game. Allow for a little preparation: choose a suitable area and test whether the tasks can be completed there.
A ready-made mystery may be suitable when everyone wants to be a participant and you want a story to follow. Choose the right city, read the requirements, and order the physical booklet in time. It is not a downloadable version of the tasks above. Read how a city mystery works or get more simple walking ideas in walking games for adults.
The mysteries in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Can we use the five tasks without buying anything?
Yes. The tasks in the article are a standalone suggestion for your own observation game. They are not taken from our purchased mysteries and require no game purchase.
Does a treasure hunt for adults have to have a hidden treasure?
No. You can make the goal to complete the tasks and gather to compare your findings. If you want to have a prize, the organizer can bring it to the final location.
How do we judge different answers fairly?
Decide that every answer should be able to be shown and follow the instructions. Multiple solutions can be equally acceptable. Use the same rules for all groups and explain them before starting.
Can the organizer participate themselves?
Yes, especially in an open observation game where multiple answers are allowed. If you want a ready-made story where no participant knows the solution, a self-guided city mystery can be an alternative.
Is the Mystery Hunt a traditional treasure hunt?
Not in the sense that you are looking for a hidden treasure or a prize. You follow a fictional mystery with special tasks, a physical booklet, and the Archive on your phone.
How do we adapt the activity to the group?
Choose an area based on everyone's mobility needs and allow answers to be documented without photos. Avoid running, private places, and tasks that require someone to climb or take risks.
