We had a blast with our Thrift Store Scavenger Hunt activity this week. We had 6 girls from our oldest class show up and we split them into 2 teams. I would not do groups any larger than 3. I wanted to split them into pairs but one girl showed up late. The third team was myself and the YW president.
A few tips to make it fun, competitive and fair.
TIPS
We showed up 45 minutes before the store closed and the game was over when they made the overhead announcement that the store was closing. Be prepared for several kiddos to want to buy something at the end. They had their own money - we let them do what they wanted with it. We all just met up at the entrance inevitably. If you have kiddos that might need further instructions, give them a time and meeting location.
I printed the list off beforehand and provided each team with a list and a pencil. The list follows, along with a PDF of the list we used with 3 to a page. Depending where you live, you might want to adjust the list below.
RULES
Teams MUST stick together. Groups cannot split up at all.
To count an item, they need to take a picture of the item with their team and leave it where they found it.
No hiding items once they find it. Tucking behind something is fine, but not removing it from the area. (They don't need to know the exception to this rule)
No running or making a mess. (for your younger groups)
THE LIST
pair of slippers
blow dryer or curling iron
Christmas mug
polka dot blouse
vinyl record with a guitar on the cover
striped green shirt
3 movies from the same series
Red shirt with a pocket
cassette tape player
3 hole punch
purple and green dress
bowling ball
boy shirt with a dump truck
tie with flowers
candle with more than 2 wicks
shirt with a college from your state
John Grisham novel
baby blessing dress
gardening tool
iPod charging cord
sparkly shoes
chair with wheels
an appliance that doesn’t work
Mormon tabernacle choir CD
hand painted artwork
winter sports equipment
fork with two prongs
book with an inscription inside
desk with exactly 4 drawers
cooking pot with a matching lid
two of the same toy - identical
bag of yarn
men’s 3 piece suit
bike with 2 fully inflated tires
a ceramic temple
7 matching plates
Halloween decoration with a ghost
luggage with a removable lock
multi-colored Christmas lights
wallet with something left inside
clothing with an original store tag (unworn clothing)
a cookie jar
BONUS: pic of your group wearing matching outfits
The bonus was the best and I was so happy everyone did it. We shared pictures on our groupme so everyone could see the good time and remember this night!
FREEBIE
This was a fun, cheap and easy activity. The girls loved it and the younger class now want to do it as well - so I'm passing this along to you all! You could couple it with a small lesson on finances or charities.