8 min 
By 
1. What is an Online Scavenger Hunt?
An online scavenger hunt is exactly what it sounds like — a version of a scavenger hunt that is played by participants via the internet. Participants are provided with a list of items they have to find or tasks they have to complete within a specific time frame. Generally, the goal is to find, collect, or complete the tasks fastest to win.
In most cases, playing scavenger hunts will require exploratory skills, analytical abilities, and teamwork. You typically have to leverage video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet to arrange a virtual Halloween scavenger hunt.
2. How to Plan the Best Virtual Halloween Scavenger Hunt
2.1 Select Your Theme
The first thing you want to do is decide on a Halloween-related theme for your virtual Halloween scavenger hunt. This adds a bit of creativity, thrill, and excitement to the mix and sets the tone for your participants. Some examples of Halloween-theme ideas for you include “Haunted House Mystery.” or “Zombies of the Night”.
2.2 Choose an Online Platform
Since your Halloween scavenger hunt is happening virtually, you’ll need an online platform with compatible features such as breakout rooms and screen sharing that allow participants to meet and interact seamlessly. Popular options include Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
2.3 Prepare a List of Clues
Next, you’ll need to create a list of clues or prompts that will point participants in the direction of the virtual "hidden" items. Depending on your specific gameplay, this may include questions, riddles, and more. Your clues should be Halloween-themed to stay in context to the narrative or related to common ground among participants.
2.4 Communicate Rules and Timings
Ensure all participants are aware of the rules and guidelines that will govern the virtual Halloween scavenger hunt. This includes details on timing, scoring, props, and more. This way, everyone knows what to expect during gameplay.
2.5 Send Out Invitations in Advance
Next, send out digital invitations before the game day so that everyone can prepare their online platforms. You should include details about the event, including the theme and other requirements. Don’t forget to add the date and time too!
2.6 Host the Event
Once participants have gathered your chosen online platform on the appointed date and time, you can kick off the event. You should start by introducing yourself and the role you’ll take during the virtual Halloween scavenger hunt. Then, you can move on to explaining the gameplay and rules. As the host, try to set a fun and exciting tone for the hunt experience.
2.7 Begin the Hunt
Share the first clue with participants and let them start deciphering it. As they solve each clue, they'll move through different online spaces, finding virtual items or completing tasks.
2.8 Reward the Winners
Everybody may be a winner, but someone finishes first. Once participants have reached the final checkpoint, you can end the game by announcing the winner. In addition to acknowledging the best scavenger hunt player, you can also reward them with Halloween-themed prizes or other gifts.
Remember, the key to an exciting virtual Halloween scavenger hunt experience is to keep participants engaged throughout the event.
3. 10 Best Virtual Halloween Scavenger Hunt Ideas
3.1 Pumpkin Decorating Contest
As the name implies, a pumpkin decorating contest during a virtual Halloween scavenger hunt means that participants get to showcase their carved pumpkins on camera. Each participant may get to explain their design choices and walk the other participants through their carving process.
You can then judge each presented pumpkin based on various criteria, such as “Most Creative” or “Spookiest.”
3.2 Halloween Movie-Themed Objects
In this case, you’ll provide participants with a list of several items related to Halloween movies. For example, you could include items like a vampire’s teeth or a witch’s hat on your list. Participants must then quickly search their homes and return to display these items on camera.
Of course, the fastest participants get the point or score the highest. To make it more interactive, you can ask the fastest participants to share their favorite movie scene for the specific object.
3.3 Ghostly Greetings
In this case, you’ll need to prepare a list of Halloween-themed words or phrases. Then, participants must quickly find objects that visually represent each word. Time also plays a role in this particular game. So, participants will be judged by how quickly they come up with each item and how relevant the items are.
3.4 Mystery Riddles
With mystery riddles, you’ll need to craft a series of riddles that provide cryptic hints about where participants should look or go. As they figure out the answer to each riddle, they’ll discover the location for the next clue until they find the final object.
Since you’re playing virtually, you can prepare clues that lead participants to popular websites or online channels that can be accessed by every player. can be related to spooky places, famous monsters, or Halloween traditions.
3.5 Candy Craze
Here, the goal is to create groups of different kinds of candy based on shapes, flavors, etc. Another variant is to compile a list of different Halloween candies (e.g., candy corn, chocolate bars, gummy worms). Then, participants must quickly find and display each candy on camera.
A fun twist you can add to this game is to release the list of candies in segments. This way, participants must challenge their memory to remember what candies they have to find.
3.6 Haunted Home Tour
In a Haunted Home Tour, participants take other players on a virtual tour of their homes, displaying spooky decorations, eerie settings, and other Halloween-themed items. Aside from this being a fun icebreaker or detour, it also motivates and inspires others during their Halloween decoration process.
3.7 Halloween Costume Challenge
This one is fairly straightforward — the best Halloween costume wins!
Participants can attend the virtual Halloween scavenger hunt in their costumes. You can then take turns judging each costume based on creativity, authenticity, and flair. Another variation to this game is asking participants to guess the character others are dressed as. However, such answers are almost straightforward and clear to see.
3.8 Witch's Brew Ingredients
Here, you’ll need to provide a list of ingredients that can be potentially found in a “witch’s brew.” Some ideas include the eye of a newt, a spider’s leg, a feather from an eagle, and more. Participants will need to quickly find items around their homes that could match these ingredients and then display them creatively on camera.
You can score based on timing and authenticity.
3.9 Horror Movie Trivia Hunt
With a Horror Movie Trivia Hunt, you’ll need to design or find trivia questions related to popular horror movies. Once you present each question to your participants, they’ll need to solve or answer the question to advance in the scavenger hunt. The questions may cover a wide array of topics, from iconic scenes to famous characters and quotes.
3.10 Monster Mash-Up
Here, participants use different household items to create a "monster mash-up." For instance, they might combine a candy wrapper and a toothbrush to make a ghoulish tooth fairy or classic ones like tissue for mummies. The goal here is to be as creative as possible with no pressure. So, encourage participants to get creative.
Remember, each idea brings a unique twist to the hunt, ensuring a mix of fun, creativity, and Halloween-themed engagement.
4. FAQs
- How to do a scavenger hunt over Zoom?
You’ll typically start by choosing a theme, establishing the rules of gameplay, and creating a list of items or clues participants need to find in their own homes. You can then send the invitation to participants while sharing the rules with them. During the Zoom call, share the list with participants and wait for the fastest person to find all the items.
- How to do a scavenger hunt for Halloween?
First, decide on the theme of the hunt — whether it's based on a Halloween movie or spooky riddles. Next, create a list of items, clues, or riddles that align with the theme. Finally, provide participants with the list of clues and let them embark on the hunt, either individually or in teams. Once the hunt is complete, gather everyone to discuss their findings and perhaps reward the most successful participants.
