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Baby Shower Scavenger Hunt: Indoor and Outdoor Rules

Published and maintained by the Forever Lily editorial team

A baby shower scavenger hunt can be played as an indoor search, a garden photo challenge or a seated clue game. The strongest format depends on the venue and guest group. This guide gives you three ready-to-use lists, clear rules, scoring and a low-mobility alternative without requiring guests to collect or disturb anything outdoors.

Scavenger hunt at a glance

  • Best for: 8–30 guests in teams of two to five.
  • Preparation: 20–30 minutes for a hidden-item hunt; 10 minutes for a photo hunt.
  • Playing time: 12–20 minutes.
  • Winner: the team with the most valid finds or photos before time is called.
  • Best low-mess format: a photo challenge with no physical collecting.

Choose one of three formats

  • Hidden-item hunt: the host places numbered baby-related objects around an agreed indoor area.
  • Garden photo hunt: teams photograph prompts instead of removing objects.
  • Seated clue hunt: teams solve picture or word clues at their tables; use this for small venues or limited mobility.

Indoor hidden-item list

Hide clean, low-value objects in visible but non-obvious places. Do not use gifts intended for the parents unless they have agreed. A balanced ten-item list could include:

  1. A clean baby sock.
  2. A soft bib.
  3. An empty baby-care bottle.
  4. A bath toy.
  5. A folded muslin square.
  6. A large wooden letter.
  7. A baby-themed greetings card.
  8. A soft toy.
  9. A board book.
  10. A rolled clean nappy.

Garden photo challenge list

Ask teams to photograph each prompt within the permitted area. A person should appear only if they agree to be photographed.

  1. Something smaller than a baby sock.
  2. A natural heart shape.
  3. Three different shades of green in one photo.
  4. A team-made pram pose.
  5. Something that begins with the first letter of the baby's surname.
  6. A shadow that looks like an animal.
  7. Something soft beside something rough.
  8. A safe place to sit with a drink.
  9. A flower photographed without picking it.
  10. The whole team making the same expression.
  11. An object that could fit in a changing bag.
  12. A creative “welcome baby” picture.

Seated clue-hunt prompts

Place six numbered envelopes on each table. Inside each envelope, put a close-up photo, riddle or three-word clue for a baby-related item. Examples include “keeps clothes clean” for a bib, “night-time soft square” for a blanket and “pages for firsts” for a memory book. Teams write the answer rather than moving around the venue.

How to set up the hunt

  1. Choose the boundary. Write down which rooms, garden areas or paths are included and which are off-limits.
  2. Select ten to twelve prompts. Remove any item that could be confused with a guest's property.
  3. Create identical lists. Give each team the same wording, time limit and scoring rules.
  4. Test every clue. Walk the route yourself and make sure nothing requires climbing, opening cupboards or entering private areas.
  5. Assign a team captain. The captain carries the list or phone and submits the final answers.
  6. Prepare the reveal. Keep a master answer list and decide how you will display winning photos.

Rules to read before the timer starts

  1. Stay inside the stated boundary and do not enter an off-limits room or area.
  2. Walk rather than run.
  3. Do not open bags, drawers, cupboards or gifts.
  4. Do not pick plants, disturb wildlife or move venue property.
  5. Ask permission before photographing another guest.
  6. Return to the scoring table when time is called, even if the list is unfinished.

Scoring and tie-breaks

A valid item, answer or photo earns one point. Award two bonus points for a designated difficult clue and up to three creativity points for one photo chosen by the parents-to-be. If teams tie, show a close-up photograph of a baby item and award the win to the first team to identify it correctly.

Accessible and child-friendly adaptations

  • Let teams divide roles between clue reader, photographer, answer writer and finder.
  • Offer the seated clue version at the same scoring value as the moving version.
  • Use large print, high-contrast numbers and plain-language clues.
  • Give children a picture checklist and keep them with an adult.
  • Allow extra time without penalty where a route or communication need makes this appropriate.

A printable planning template

  • Format: hidden items, photo hunt or seated clues.
  • Boundary:
  • Team size:
  • Number of prompts:
  • Time limit:
  • One-point prompts:
  • Bonus prompt:
  • Tie-break:
  • Off-limits areas:
  • Weather backup:

Build the rest of the outdoor plan

Return to the Outdoor Baby Shower Games hub for eight mixed-energy ideas and a 45-minute running order. If your guests prefer team challenges, use the Baby Shower Relay Games guide. The Baby Shower Games Bundle adds six coordinated paper games that can also serve as a rain backup.

Back to Baby Shower Games