Family gatherings are not only a precious time for bonding, but also a great opportunity for passing down our faith legacy. Keeping faith alive is a big job so it’s important to do it right! Engaging family members in a game is not only a great way to incorporate Christian teaching and values, it’s the best way to do it, especially when it comes to our children.
Looking for a great activity that everyone in the family can enjoy? Then how about a scavenger hunt! But not just any scavenger hunt…a Bible scavenger hunt! Read on!
What is a Scavenger Hunt?
Everyone has heard of them but not everyone has participated. The basic concept is simple: You must find an entire list of items before time runs out. The beauty of the game is that they are super easy to plan, with rules that can be modified to suit your game. Depending on each individual game, variations can exist in the following areas:
- Type of scavenger hunt: We generally think of a scavenger hunt as being a list of items to collect, but you can also put together a hunt that involves taking silly selfies in certain places or finding answers rather than collecting physical items.
- The list: Obviously depending on the occasion, theme, holiday or the like, the list of items will vary from game to game.
- Teams: Some hunts are carried out by teams while other hunts might call for solo play.
- Time limit: Whether you want a quick scavenger hunt or wish to make a day-long event out of it, time limits need to vary in order to make sense with the kind of scavenger hunt being played.
- Location: Some choose to have a scavenger hunt inside, while others prefer the great outdoors. Your options are limitless… the park, the mall, the aquarium, wherever your heart desires!
- Difficulty level: One of the many things that make scavenger hunts great is that they can be planned to suit people of all ages, making them the perfect family reunion game!
- Scoring system: All items may be counted the same or points may be rewarded based on the difficulty of each item
- Prize: From bragging rights to monetary awards, winners will come out with something, and the rest will be awarded with the fun memories!
Whatever the rules, they must be set forth ahead of the game! More on this later.
How Can the Bible be Used for a Scavenger Hunt?
If you’re looking for a fun, Jesus-loving activity that everyone can enjoy, then your answer is a Bible scavenger hunt! You may be wondering, how does the Bible tie into all of this? Well, surely we’re not intending for you to hide a bunch of Bibles around a room for everyone to search for (I suppose that could be some type of quick variation)!
To help you get started, why not try this “Picture-Perfect Bible Scavenger Hunt” at your next family gathering? Kids love a good scavenger hunt, and if they can learn about God and the Bible in the process, it’s a win for Him and everyone else involved!
Since we like to make things easy for you, we’ve already done most of the work for you! Everything you need is below. All you have to do is click and print!
Picture-Perfect Bible Scavenger Hunt
The object of this game is to find as many of the items on the list as possible within the allotted time. There will be one item from each book of the Bible which means there are 66 items to find total.
If you need a shorter version of the Bible scavenger hunt, try choosing a section from the Bible, such as The New Testament (27 books), rather than books from the entire Bible, and edit the list accordingly.
What You Need
To get started, you will need some game materials. Before you print, be sure to have in mind how many teams will be participating, then print accordingly, allowing for a couple of extra copies just in case. You will need the following printables:
- Bible Scavenger Hunt Clues (1 copy per team)
- Bible Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (1 copy per team)
- Bible Scavenger Hunt Answers (for the Game Master)
In addition, each team will need to have on hand:
- At least one Bible (We recommend using the NIV Bible for this game as our clues are written with reference to this version.)
- Pen or pencil
- Camera (phone cameras are allowed)
- Watch or timer
How to Play
Before beginning, make sure that you have all materials needed. Decide on teams, each team should have 2-5 people. Distribute materials accordingly.
When the timer starts, each team will work to solve the puzzles on the Bible Scavenger Hunt Clues sheet by looking up the clues in the Bible. Write your answers in the Bible Scavenger Hunt Worksheet.
In order to ensure that each group stays together rather than searching for items independently, a group selfie will need to be taken with each item. This not only proves that the picture of the item didn’t come from a simple internet search, but it also allows room for more fun! Don’t skimp on the pictures as bonus points may be awarded for the most creative photos! Oh, and you never know which ones will end up online!
Return to the starting point before the designated ending time as the scores will be calculated when time is called.
Scoring Suggestions
- 10 points will be awarded for each correct answer on the Bible Scavenger Hunt Worksheet
- 20 points will be awarded for each group photo with the correct item
- Penalty points will be deducted for late return (10 points per minute)
- Optional bonus points: 100 points for each of the 5 most creative photos
And naturally, the team with the highest score wins!
Bible Verse Scavenger Hunt
If you can’t get outside due to weather or other circumstances, this one is suitable to play anywhere, even on road trips with the kids!
The object of this game is to be the one who finds the most words in the Bible before time is called, or be the first one to find all of them.
What You Need
This game only calls for the basics:
- Bible
- List of words (1 for each team)
- Pen or pencil
- Timer (optional)
How to Play
Best played solo or in pairs.
When the game host gives the cue, each player is given a word list and must hunt through their Bibles to find verses containing each word. Once found, they must write the verse next to the word on their list. Only rule: No Phones! Players would still be able to work together in groups and could use a concordance if available.
Scoring Suggestions
- 10 points for each verse found
- 25 bonus points for completing the list first
Whenever a tie exists, the players tied for victory must face off looking for an additional verse. The first person who finds it is declared the winner!
Bible Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunts are similar to scavenger hunts in that you go from location to location for something. While a scavenger hunt is where you must find a list of things, a treasure hunt is different; you follow clues rather than collecting a bunch of things.
The object of this game is for everyone to work through all of the clues as a team until you find the treasure at the end.
What You Need
- 10-25 clues from the bible (depending on how long you want the game to last)
- Treasure (candy, a lesson learned, a meal, etc.)
How to Play
Clues are placed in various locations. Each clue is a verse from the bible with hints as to where the next clue is. The final clue will lead to the treasure!
Clues must be collected in order to prove to the game host that you didn’t spot a clue outside of game rules and cut corners!
Scoring Suggestions
No actual score is kept as it’s not a competition but you can choose to offer greater incentive for finishing before a certain time!
Backup Game Ideas
While we are making plans, life is happening and some things are just beyond our control. Here are some ways you can prepare for life’s unexpected hiccups and have backup games in a pinch:
- Quiz of Books: Test everyone’s knowledge of the Bible as they (likely) learn new things! Make a list of questions with one pertaining to each book of the Bible, omitting anything that might make the answers completely obvious. Whoever can guess more of the books will be dubbed “The Bookmaster!”
- 20 Questions: Everyone knows this game! All you need to do is put a Biblical spin on it and you have yourself an easy game! Ideas for topics to include: Biblical events, Bible verses, people of the Bible, The Old Testament, The New Testament
- Acts of the Bible: Just like charades, but Bible-style! Act out scenes from the Bible and have everyone guess which book it comes from, or if you’re looking for a bigger challenge, name the actual verse!
Playing a Bible-themed game like Picture-Perfect Bible Scavenger Hunt or Bible Treasure Hunt can help create a relaxed atmosphere where family members are comfortable sharing about their spiritual victories and struggles. Not to mention the wonderful time everyone would have making memories together. Who knows, you may even be unwittingly setting a new family tradition and, with the picture-perfect reminders, still be reminiscing about the hunt years later!
Alvin Gan is the father of three noisy (but lovely) teenagers and founder of www.BibleGamesCentral.com. At Bible Games Central, you will find a variety of fun and captivating games complete with Bible learning points, recommended scripture passages and discussion questions.
