National Scavenger Hunt Day
May 24, Saturday
What is a scavenger hunt?
A scavenger hunt is a quest or treasure hunt in which participants must find specific items or complete certain actions from a pre-made list. The winner is the one who completes all the tasks the fastest or most efficiently.
The game can be organized in a variety of formats:
* Indoors (e.g., at home or in the office)
* Outdoors (in a park, city, or even a museum)
* In a digital format (via apps or using photos)
History of the holiday
Although the exact origin of the holiday is unknown, the scavenger hunt format became popular in the early 20th century. It was popularized by Elsa Maxwell — an American socialite and event organizer who hosted such games at parties among the wealthy and famous. Gradually, scavenger hunts began to be used in schools, corporate events, and parties as a way of active entertainment.
How to celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day
On this day, people organize various treasure hunts — from simple family games to large-scale events with riddles and prizes. It’s a great excuse to gather friends, family, or coworkers.
Ways to celebrate:
* Organize a classic scavenger hunt at home or outdoors
* Create a themed quest (e.g., based on a movie or historical event)
* Use a mobile app for a digital scavenger hunt
* Set up a children’s game with tasks for attention and coordination
* Share ideas and photos on social media with the hashtag #ScavengerHuntDay
Interesting facts
* The largest scavenger hunt took place in Canada in 2017 and made it into the Guinness World Records
* Modern scavenger hunts often include tasks involving photography, creativity, and even dancing
* The format is used in education, team-building, and psychotherapy as a way to engage and develop skills