Human Scavenger Hunt

Name and Purpose

Human Scavenger Hunt sends players on a quest to discover the fascinating people all around them.
Players practise conversation, listening, and the art of finding common ground with new friends.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Open space for mingling, indoors or outdoors

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Give each player a statement sheet and a pen.
Announce the time limit (8-12 minutes).
Players mingle and find one person who matches each statement; that person signs their name on that line.
One person can sign any single sheet only once.
Reconvene. Read each statement aloud. Players who match stand and are welcomed by the group.

Setup and Boundaries

Prepare the statement sheet in advance. Keep statements fun, kind, and culturally neutral.
Signal: one whistle = 2 minutes remaining; two whistles = stop and gather
Set a clear boundary for the mingling space

How to Play

Hand out statement sheets and pens.
Announce: “You have [X] minutes to find one person who matches each statement. Each person can sign your sheet only once.”
Players mingle, ask questions, and collect signatures.
When time is up, bring the group back together.
Read each statement aloud. Ask players who match to stand up or raise their hand.
Celebrate each reveal with a cheer or wave.

Sample Statement Sheet

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Mingle energetically; approach as many people as possible; aim to fill every line
S (Support): Help pair up players who are looking uncertain; make introductions
Q (Quiet): Move calmly and seek out one-on-one conversations in quieter corners of the space
O (Observer): Hold the sheet and observe for the first 2 minutes, then join when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who find writing difficult may ask their found match to write for them, or use a verbal list
Statements are chosen to be inclusive of diverse backgrounds and abilities — avoid physical ability or appearance-based statements

Stewardship Moment

Collect statement sheets at the end. If printed single-sided on clean paper, they can be flipped for use as scrap paper or recycled.
Reflection: “This whole activity started with a piece of paper and some questions. What did you find out that you want to remember?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “You are going to mingle and find people who match descriptions on your sheet. You share only what you are comfortable sharing. For those not comfortable approaching people they do not know, starting with someone familiar and branching out is another option.”
Mid-game check: At the halfway point, give a quick signal and check in. “Everyone still moving? Need anything?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Players can pause and stand with a staff member. They re-enter by joining any conversation already in progress.

Risks and Mitigation

A statement that is unintentionally exclusionary: review all statements before printing for cultural sensitivity
Players clustering with friends instead of meeting new people: gently redirect with “Try to find someone you have not spoken to yet”
Noise level making it hard to hear: move the activity outdoors or to a larger space

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Name and One Fact”: each player shares their name and one unusual fact about themselves before the hunt begins
“Wave Around”: everyone waves to every person they make eye contact with during a 30-second walk-around

Debrief Questions

What? “What was the most surprising or unusual match you found today?”
So What? “What does it tell us about a group when we discover how much variety is in it?”
Now What? “Is there one person you want to learn even more about based on what you found out today?”

Cleanup and Reset