Church Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids

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A church scavenger hunt is an active way to help children explore their surroundings, recognize Christian symbols, and connect everyday objects with Bible stories. It can be used during Sunday school, children’s church, Vacation Bible School, youth group, a family ministry event, or a church open house.

This free printable church scavenger hunt includes picture clues that work for readers and younger children who are not yet reading independently. Participants look for a Bible, cross, branch, bird, fish, rainbow, and several other people or symbols connected with faith.

Children can complete the hunt individually, with a partner, or as part of a small team. You can use the printable exactly as provided or add Bible verses, discussion questions, photographs, and challenges for older participants.

Around the Church Scavenger Hunt for Youth Group

Children can complete the hunt individually, with a partner, or as part of a small team. You can use the worksheet exactly as provided or add Scripture references, discussion questions, photo challenges, and riddles for older participants.

Free Printable Church Scavenger Hunt PDF

The download includes nine picture prompts:

• A Bible
• A cross
• A rainbow
• People praying
• A strong man
• A bird
• A woman
• A branch
• A fish

Some objects may be found literally inside or around the building. Others can be represented by a picture, decoration, stained-glass window, bulletin, book illustration, person, or a familiar biblical account.

For example, children might find:

• An actual copy of the Bible or a picture of one
• A cross in the sanctuary or on a bulletin
• A rainbow in a children’s book, mural, or classroom decoration
• A picture of people praying
• A strong man in an illustration of Samson
• A bird shown on a poster or stained-glass window
• A woman in a biblical illustration
• A branch outside or in a Palm Sunday decoration
• A fish symbol, fish sticker, or picture of the miraculous catch

This flexible concept makes the hunt easier to adapt to different buildings and denominations.

What Is a Church Scavenger Hunt?

It is a faith-based game in which participants search for objects, pictures, symbols, passage references, or locations connected with Christianity.

Unlike a traditional treasure hunt, players do not necessarily collect anything they find. They can check each prompt off a list, write down where they found it, answer a related question, or photograph it with permission.

The purpose can be to:

• Help children become comfortable in the building
• Review a familiar story from the Bible
• Recognize Christian symbols
• Practice looking up passages
• Encourage teamwork and social interaction
• Introduce different ways people serve
• Add movement to a lesson
• Welcome new families
• Build relationships within a youth group

Church Scavenger Hunt for Kids

The free picture hunt works well for:

• Preschool with a helper
• Pre-K
• Kindergarten
• Elementary classes
• Kids’ church
• Homeschool Bible study
• Family events
• VBS

Older elementary children, preteens, teens, and teenagers can use the same download with passage references, written questions, time limits, or photo challenges added.

How to Organize a Church Scavenger Hunt

Get Permission

Speak with the appropriate leader, pastor, administrator, or building coordinator before organizing the hunt.

Confirm which rooms and outdoor areas may be used. Ask whether another event, counseling appointment, rehearsal, or service will be taking place at the same time.

Choose an Area Around the Church

Decide whether the hunt will take place:

• In one classroom
• Throughout the kids’ area
• Inside the building
• On the grounds
• In a fellowship hall
• At a camp or retreat
• At home as a family faith activity

Clearly identify any areas that are off-limits.

Walk Through the Search Area in Advance

Complete the hunt yourself before giving it to the children.

Make sure each prompt can be found or reasonably represented. If one of the prompts is unavailable, add a corresponding picture, book, or replacement prompt before the hunt begins.

Decide How Children Will Play

Participants can play:

• Individually
• In pairs
• In family groups
• In small teams
• As one cooperative group

For young children, pair each group with a screened helper or approved youth helper.

Explain the Rules

Before starting, tell participants:

• Where they may search
• Which areas are off-limits
• Whether they may touch objects
• Whether walking or running is allowed
• How much time they have
• Where to return when finished
• How to record each discovery
• Whether photographs are permitted

Distribute the Printable

Give each child or team a hunt sheet and a crayon or pencil.

Review the pictures together before beginning. This is particularly helpful for preschoolers and children who may interpret a symbol differently.

Begin the Hunt

Send teams in different directions if space permits. This helps everyone work together without crowding in the same spot.

Helpers should remain with younger children and follow the location’s child-safety procedures throughout the hunt.

Review the Answers

Gather everyone after the hunt and discuss what they found.

Ask children to explain how each discovery connects with the lesson or the Christian faith.

Safety and Respect Rules

This is an active place for services, community, work, and private conversation. A successful scavenger hunt should be enjoyable without disrupting other people.

Use rules such as:

• Walk rather than run.
• Stay with your assigned partner, team, or helper.
• Remain in approved areas.
• Do not enter offices, storage areas, counseling rooms, or classrooms marked private.
• Do not open cabinets, drawers, or closed doors.
• Look at special objects without touching them.
• Keep voices quiet near services, group devotions, meetings, or rehearsals.
• Never photograph another person without permission.
• Do not photograph children unless the location’s media policy and their guardians permit it.
• Return to the designated meeting point when time is called.
• Avoid asking children to approach unfamiliar people, enter secluded areas, or leave the property.

Faith Connections for the Picture Prompts

Add a short passage reference to turn the picture hunt into a more intentional faith experience.

Bible

Suggested passage: Psalm 119:105

Ask: How can the lord’s Word help guide us?

Cross

Suggested passage: John 3:16

Ask: What does the cross remind Christians about Jesus?

Rainbow

Suggested passage: Genesis 9:12–16

Ask: What promise did the rainbow represent after the flood?

People Praying

Suggested passage: Philippians 4:6

Ask: What are some things we can pray about?

Strong Man

Suggested passage: Judges 13–16

Ask: Who was Samson, and where did his strength come from?

Remind children that biblical strength includes trusting and obeying Him, not merely having strong muscles.

Bird

Suggested passage: Matthew 6:26

Ask: What did Jesus teach by pointing to the birds?

Woman

Choose a woman your class has studied, such as Ruth, Esther, Mary, Deborah, Hannah, or Lydia.

Ask: What did this woman do, and what wisdom can we learn from her?

Branch

Suggested passage: John 15:5

Ask: What did Jesus mean when He called Himself the vine and His followers the branches?

Fish

Suggested passage: Matthew 4:18–22

Ask: What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples that He would make them fishers of people?

Ways to Use this Scavenger Hunt Printable Activity

Lesson Introduction

Use the hunt at the beginning of a new school year. It helps children explore the classroom during the first weekly lesson and become familiar with their surroundings.

Story Review

Connect each picture with a biblical account your class has already studied.

After children find an item, ask them to name the story that includes it.

VBS Rotation

Include the hunt as one rotation or icebreaker during VBS.

Hide the nine picture cards in a designated room or outdoor area. This makes the hunt predictable and easier to manage with larger groups.

Movement Break

Use the download when children need a short movement break.

Hide the corresponding pictures around the room and let children search quietly.

Family Event

Give one copy to each family and let everyone complete it together.

A cooperative family format is often more suitable than a race when preschoolers and older siblings are participating together.

Open House

Use a custom version to introduce families to different areas of the building.

Add approved locations such as:

• Sanctuary
• Check-in desk
• Fellowship hall
• Library
• Welcome desk
• Prayer room
• Baptistry
• Choir room

Have a volunteer stationed at important locations to explain what happens there.

Church Scavenger Hunt Ideas

The free picture hunt is only one way to play. Choose a format based on the ages of the participants and the purpose of the event.

Christian Symbol Hunt

Ask participants to locate symbols found around the building.

Possible items include:

• Cross
• Bible
• Dove
• Fish
• Lamb
• Bread
• Cup
• Crown
• Anchor
• Candle
• Rainbow
• Baptismal water

The symbols displayed will vary among denominations. Review the list and remove anything that does not apply to your location. This also works well as a simple faith-themed scavenger hunt.

Bible Verse Hunt

Give players a list of Bible references. Each passage contains or suggests an object they must identify.

For example:

• Genesis 8:11 — leaf
• Genesis 9:13 — rainbow
• Psalm 119:105 — lamp or light
• Matthew 4:19 — fish
• Matthew 6:26 — bird
• John 6:9 — bread
• John 15:5 — branch

Participants look up each reference, determine the object, and then locate a matching item or picture.

Specify which Bible translation will be used, since wording can vary.

Character Hunt

Hide cards featuring people from the Bible around an approved area.

Possible characters include:

• Noah
• Abraham
• Moses
• Ruth
• David
• Esther
• Daniel
• Mary
• Peter
• Paul

When children find a card, they must solve a simple question by naming one fact about the person before checking that character off the list.

Books of the Bible Hunt

Hide cards containing the names of Bible books.

Younger students can simply find the cards. Older students can arrange them in biblical order or sort them into:

• Old Testament
• New Testament
• Law
• History
• Poetry
• Major Prophets
• Minor Prophets
• Gospels
• Letters

Serving Others Hunt

Help older children learn how people serve within the congregation.

Instead of searching for individuals, teams find signs, objects, or information connected with different roles such as:

• Kids’ programs
• Music team
• Missions
• Food pantry
• Prayer team
• Hospitality
• Community outreach
• Library
• Greeter team

Avoid interrupting staff or volunteers while they are working. This format is also suitable for a women’s ministry event.

Nature and Scripture Hunt

Hold the hunt outdoors instead of around the building and look for parts of God’s creation.

Possible prompts include:

• Something growing
• A bird
• A flower
• A rock
• A branch
• Something that provides shade
• Something tiny
• Something colorful
• Something that needs water
• Something that reminds you of God’s creativity

Pair the hunt with Psalm 24:1, Psalm 19:1, or another passage appropriate for your lesson.

Give teams a list of approved photographs to take.

Ideas include:

• The entire team beside a sign
• Something shaped like a cross
• A Bible opened to a favorite passage
• A creative team pose representing a biblical account
• Something that represents service
• Something that reminds the group of prayer
• Three objects beginning with the same letter
• A color that appears in the sanctuary
• An object that represents welcome

Establish photography rules before beginning. Do not permit pictures of people, private records, security equipment, children, or confidential spaces without explicit authorization.

Service Scavenger Hunt

Instead of finding objects, teams complete small acts of service during a meaningful gathering.

Possible tasks include:

• Write a thank-you note to a volunteer.
• Straighten an approved supply shelf.
• Pick up litter outside.
• Make an encouragement card.
• Assemble donation bags.
• Sort items for an approved service project.
• Pray for a team or program.
• Return hymnals or approved supplies to their places.

Coordinate every task with the responsible leader first. Children should not reorganize or clean unfamiliar areas without direction.

Bible Scavenger Hunt Clues

These scavenger hunt prompts can also be turned into a simple fill-in-the-blank or puzzle.

Clue 1

I hold God’s Word but cannot speak. Open my pages for the truth you seek.

Answer: Bible

Clue 2

I remind you of Jesus and the gift He freely gave. Find my familiar shape, a symbol of the One who came to save.

Answer: Cross

Clue 3

After rain, my colors may appear. God used me as a promise that His people need not fear.

Answer: Rainbow

Clue 4

Jesus pointed to creatures that fly through the air. Find one that reminds us of God’s faithful care.

Answer: Bird

Clue 5

I grow from a tree and may carry a leaf. Jesus used me to teach about remaining in Him through belief.

Answer: Branch

Clue 6

Some swim in schools but never read a book. Jesus called fishermen as disciples—now find where one may look.

Answer: Fish

Clue 7

People may bow their heads or close their eyes when they speak to God. Find a picture showing this special time.

Answer: People praying

Adapting the Hunt by Age

Preschool and Pre-K

• Use picture prompts only.
• Keep the hunt in one room.
• Hide objects in easy-to-see locations.
• Let children play together.
• Avoid time limits.
• Pair every child with a helper.

Kindergarten Through Second Grade

• Use pictures with simple words.
• Limit the search to a few familiar areas.
• Add one easy question per item.
• Allow children to work in pairs.
• Use stickers or crayons to mark completed prompts.

Third Through Fifth Grade

• Add passage references.
• Use simple riddles.
• Have teams explain each connection.
• Include a reasonable time limit.
• Ask participants to record where each item was found.

Middle School and High School

• Use Scripture, Bible passages, history, or service-related prompts.
• Add approved photo challenges.
• Require teamwork and written answers.
• Include a service component.
• Let teams write one prompt for another group.

How to Make the Hunt Inclusive

Choose a format that allows every child to participate successfully.

Consider:

• Keeping routes wheelchair accessible
• Providing picture prompts for emerging readers
• Reading prompts aloud
• Avoiding activities dependent only on speed
• Pairing younger and older children
• Allowing participants to point rather than write
• Offering a quiet version for children who become overwhelmed
• Avoiding flashing lights, loud signals, or surprise touches
• Providing extra time when needed

A cooperative goal—such as finding every item as a group—can be more inclusive than awarding a prize only to the fastest team.

Prize Ideas

Rewards are optional. Many groups enjoy simply completing the hunt together.

If you use rewards, consider:

• Bible bookmarks
• Stickers
• Pencils
• Small notebooks
• Scripture cards
• Mini coloring books
• Individually wrapped treats
• Extra game time
• A certificate for each participant

Check for food allergies before distributing edible prizes.

More Christian Activities to Explore

If your group enjoyed this Around the Church Scavenger Hunt, here are more Christian printables and activities that encourage faith, learning, and meaningful time together.

• Bible Crafts and Printables – Browse a collection of Bible-themed crafts, games, and printables for Sunday school, homeschool, and family devotions.
• Christmas Scavenger Hunt Printable – Add some holiday fun with a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt that’s perfect for families, classrooms, and church events.
• Fruit of the Spirit Sorting Game – Help kids learn about the Fruit of the Spirit through a fun, hands-on sorting activity.
• Christian Easter Activity Pack Printable – Keep children engaged with a variety of faith-based Easter games, puzzles, and learning activities.
• Christian Easter Word Search Printable – Reinforce Easter vocabulary with a printable word search that’s great for church or home.
• Full Armor of God Prayer – Encourage daily prayer and reflection while learning about the Armor of God found in Scripture.
• Advent Scripture Countdown Calendar Printable – Count down to Christmas with daily Bible verses that help keep the focus on the true meaning of the season.

This free worksheet gives children an active way to identify objects, people, and symbols connected with the Christian faith.

Use it during kids’ church, VBS, a family event, Bible study, or a quiet classroom lesson.

The picture-based format makes it accessible to young children, while passage references and discussion questions can extend it for older students.

Church Scavenger Hunt for Kids

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $0-$5

Use a free picture-based church scavenger hunt to help children find Christian symbols and connect them with Bible stories.

No Ratings

Print

Materials

• Church scavenger hunt printable
• Printer paper or cardstock
• Pencils, crayons, or washable markers
• Bibles, optional
• Small prizes, optional

Tools

• Printer
• Clipboards, optional
• Timer, optional

Instructions

1. Download and print one scavenger hunt sheet for each participant or team.
2. Obtain permission to use the selected church rooms or outdoor areas.
3. Walk through the search area and confirm that every prompt can be found or represented.
4. Add printed pictures for any clues that are not already present.
5. Mark private and off-limits areas.
6. Divide participants into pairs, families, or supervised teams.
7. Explain the boundaries, rules, time limit, and meeting point.
8. Give each team a printable and writing tool.
9. Have participants locate or identify each picture prompt.
10. Gather the group and discuss how the discoveries connect with Bible stories or verses.

Notes

• Keep preschool hunts in one room.
• Do not permit running inside the church.
• Young children should remain with an approved adult.
• Obtain permission before allowing photography.
• Avoid interrupting worship, meetings, counseling, or other ministries.
• Adapt any symbols that are not commonly used by your denomination.

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