Scavenger Hunt Meets ABCs – A Printable Kids Will Love (Plus 11 Great Ways to Use It!)

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Looking for a unique and engaging way to get kids learning? Our alphabet scavenger hunt printable is the perfect hands-on activity to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and make learning fun!

Whether you’re planning an Earth Day activity, a neighborhood walk, a game for language learning, or just a simple way to enjoy screen-free play, this printable alphabet scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to connect with the environment while reinforcing language and observation skills.

How This Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Printable Works

Using our A to Z Scavenger Hunt is simple and fun! Here’s how it works:

  1. Purchase and print – After buying our alphabet scavenger hunt printable, download the template.
  2. Pick a theme or use one of our 11 ideas below – You can choose a theme for your hunt – like nature, family members, or toys – or follow one of the fun ideas we’ve provided below!
  3. Identify your search area – Decide where the hunt will take place – indoors, at the park, on a walk, or even during a road trip.
  4. Find words and/or objects – Search for a word or object for each letter of the alphabet that fits the theme and write it down.
  5. Optional group discussion – Share your findings and talk about your favorite discoveries!

11 Ways to Use Our Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

1. Indoor Rainy Day Adventure

Stuck inside? Hand out the A to Z printable and let your kids become indoor explorers.

Have them race to find an object around the house for each letter – alarm clock for ‘A’, game controller for ‘G’, zipper for ‘Z’, you ge the idea. This activity keeps them moving, thinking, and entertained without screens.

Make it even more fun by setting a time limit or seeing who can find all 26 words the fastest. For an added challenge, have them search for words in alphabetical order. Either way, it’s a great way to get kids moving, thinking, and learning!

2. Nature Walk Alphabet Hunt 🌳

Grab a clipboard and take the alphabet scavenger hunt printable outdoors to turn any walk into a full-on learning experience.

Kids can search for items in nature that match each letter: leaf for ‘L’, pinecone for ‘P’, spiderweb for ‘S’ and so on. This game is great for curious minds who love exploring the world around them.

Make it even more exciting by having them add a point for every item they find that isn’t on someone elses list and see who can rack up the most points.

💡 Nature’s Calling! Try This Fun Outdoor Scavenger Hunt for Kids
Our print-and-go outdoor scavenger hunt is the perfect blend of exploration and learning for kids ages 6 to 9!
This activity encourages curiosity and observation as children search for specific items outdoors, all while sharpening language skills. It’s a fun, educational activity that’s perfect for Earth Day or any day – celebrating the beauty of the outdoors through play!

3. Toy and Room Cleanup Game 🧸

Make cleanup time fun and productive!

Have kids organize their toys or room by matching each item they put away to a letter on their alphabet scavenger hunt printable. For example, when putting away blocks, they can write “blocks” under the letter “B,” or if they’re storing dinosaur figurines, they’ll file them under “D.” Even folding pajamas? They’ll file them under “P.”

Young child holding two toys shaped as circles over his eyes. He is using his alphabet scavenger hunt printable as he cleans his room.

This is a win-win! Not only will they tidy up their space, but they’ll also reinforce letter recognition, spelling, and writing skills. And of course, parents will be happier too with the decluttered room!

4. Creative Writing Prompt 📝

Turn scavenger hunt finds into fuel for storytelling.

Have children choose 10 to 15 objects from their alphabet scavenger hunt list – whether they’re in the classroom, house, or even outdoors – and write a short story featuring them. It could be a mystery, adventure, or even a random comedy!

A young boy is sitting at a desk and writing with a pencil.

Chances are, you’ll end up reading hilarious stories like one I got from a grade 5 student that started like this: “The cat found a kazoo, then took a rocket to Neptune…”

💡 Unleash creativity with our Roll a Story Dice!
Fuel your students’ imagination with this exciting game that guides them through story writing by rolling dice with eye-catching images.
Perfect for overcoming writer’s block or sparking inspiration, it makes fiction writing interesting and enjoyable!
Ready to kickstart the storytelling adventure? Get your set now!

An image that highlights our story writing product 'Story Dice'. It shows some images that are on the cubes. This is just one of many awesome summer reading activities elementary kids will love!

5. Speaking Practice Challenge 🗣️

This is a great way for kids to practice thinking on their feet.

After an A to Z scavenger hunt in the classroom, at home, or outside, have kids stand in front of their peers or family and talk about one of the items they found. They’ll have to think on the spot and explain why they chose it or what they like about it.

A young boy stands in front of the class holding an object that he is explaining.

No pressure, just a fun way to build public speaking and confidence in a casual, low-stakes setting.

6. A to Z Art Collage 🎨

Get them to turn their A to Z scavenger hunt printable into a visual masterpiece!

Have kids use magazines, photos, and art supplies like scissors, glue, and markers to represent each word from their A to Z list. Their goal is to find or create a visual representation for each word – whether it’s cutting out pictures from magazines, drawing their own images, or pasting in photos.

Focused boy with red paintbrush and colorful paints sitting at table with glass of water while painting in light room. He's working on turning the words on his alphabet scavenger hunt printable into art.

Once they’ve gathered everything, they can arrange it all into a fun, colorful collage that brings each word to life. To make it even more exciting, encourage kids to add creative labels or use different textures!

7. Alphabet Riddle Challenge 🧠

Create a fun word puzzle with the words from the alphabet scavenger hunt!

After finding all their items, challenge children to write riddles or clues for some of the words on their list. This activity not only builds vocabulary but also encourages creativity and helps develop public speaking skills in a fun, interactive way.

A young girl is sitting at a desk with a laptop and a book. She is smiling and she is enjoying her alphabet scavenger hunt.

They can then share their clues with their peers and see who can guess the words! It’s a great way to get them engaged and see how their clues stack up.

Here are 3 examples my grade 4 students came up with for the words on their list:
🔑 I’m shiny, jingly, and let you in.
🍌 I’m yellow, filled with potassium, and you can eat me.
✏️ I have a wooden body and a tiny sharp tip, and I’m used to write.

8. Family Word Description Challenge 👪

Fill out the A to Z scavenger hunt with words that describe a family member!

Each person chooses one person in the family, like Mom, and for each letter of the alphabet they come up with a word or phrase that describes them or something they love or something about them.

A family with a mom and dad and 3 children on the couch laughing.

For example:
affectionate for ‘A’
cats for ‘C’ (because she loves them)
teacher for ‘T’ (because she is one)
sweet for ‘S’
funny for ‘F’

You can turn this into a fun dictionary game by encouraging children to use a dictionary to find creative and descriptive words for their family member.

9. Memory & Recall Game 🧠

After completing the alphabet scavenger hunt, quiz students about their findings without letting them refer to their list!

Ask questions like, “What did you find for L?” and “Can you remember your Z item?” See how many they can recall from memory.

Thinking boy on white background with question mark. Bright ideas and problem solving concept.

This activity boosts working memory and encourages kids to visualize and remember what they found – skills that will benefit them in school and beyond!

10. Digital Photo Hunt 📸

Give them a camera or phone and turn the alphabet scavenger hunt into a photo safari!

Asian girl uses digital camera to take photos for her alphabet scavenger hunt.

Instead of collecting items, they’ll snap a photo of something for each letter and write down what they took a picture of. Later, they can create a slideshow, scrapbook, or digital collage. Ideal for tech-loving kids and budding photographers.

11. Travel or Road Trip Game 🧳

Travel time is now also adventure time!

Print our alphabet scavenger hunt before a long drive or flight and use it as a distraction-free boredom buster. Look for words and objects you spot at the airport, out the car window, or along your route. Think luggage for ‘L’, rest stop for ‘R’, Tesla truck for ‘T’, vending machine for ‘V’ – the possibilities are endless! It’s a low-effort, high-fun activity.

Side view of preteen boy laughing happily while traveling with mother in car. He's on the lookout for items he can add to his alphabet scavenger hunt printable.

Teacher Tip: Print multiple copies and use it again once you reach your destination, or throughout your trip. Challenge them to find new items for each letter wherever you go!

Why This Alphabet Scavenger Hunt Printable is Awesome for ALL these games!

Our A to Z Scavenger Hunt sparks creativity and sharpens observation skills by challenging kids to find words related to a chosen topic – one for each letter of the alphabet.

Whether it’s nature, sports, history, or even a favorite book, this activity encourages children to think outside the box and make connections in new ways.

From “A” for athlete in a sports-themed hunt to “Z” for zebra in an animal-themed search, kids will engage deeply, think critically, and strengthen their vocabulary – all while having fun!

💡 Scavenger hunts offer more benefits than you might expect.

With our easy-to-use scavenger hunt template, kids will:

  • Strengthen their vocabulary by associating words to a specific topic.
  • Sharpen their observation skills by looking for details related to their theme.
  • Enjoy an interactive, screen-free learning experience.
  • Develop an appreciation for words through hands-on exploration.

Our Scavenger Hunts Are Perfect for Any Setting

  • Outdoor Learning – Explore nature, and teach conservation through a fun, engaging search.
  • Classroom – Incorporate into lessons like science, literacy, or art to encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. It’s also perfect for celebrating Earth Day!
  • Homeschooling – A hands-on, engaging activity that enhances learning at home. Great for reinforcing literacy, promoting creative thinking, or adding excitement to any lesson.
  • Family Fun – A screen-free, interactive activity that brings the family together for quality time and playful learning.
  • Group Activities – Perfect for parties or group settings, encouraging cooperation and friendly competition among kids.
  • Camps or After-School Programs – An easy-to-implement activity that promotes learning through play and exploration.
  • Learning Through Play – A fantastic way to make learning fun, whether for academic skills or life lessons!

Children Love This Alphabet Scavenger Hunt

It’s easy to see why this alphabet scavenger hunt pritnable is a favorite – it’s the perfect combination of fun, creativity, and hands-on learning!

Our At to Z Scavenger Hunt:

🌟 Encourages active learning and creativity.
🌟 Promotes mindfulness and appreciation for words.
🌟 Easy to use in groups or individual settings.
🌟 Suitable for various ages and learning levels.

Ready to Start Your Alphabet Scavenger Hunt?

Get your hands on our A to Z Scavenger Hunt printable today and kickstart a fun, eco-friendly adventure! It’s the perfect way to make learning engaging while learning in disguise.

Available on Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy – purchase your copy today!

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A Pinterest pin of the blog title for this alphavet scavenger hunt printable article with a happy boy on the cover

Looking for more Scavenger Hunt fun? Read these blogs:
9 Unexpected Benefits of Scavenger Hunts for Kids
15 Awesome and Educational Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids
15 Exciting Library Scavenger Hunt Ideas To Do With This Printable
How to Make a Scavenger Hunt for Kids in 9 Steps
The Best Neighborhood Walk Scavenger Hunt + 13 Ways to Play
13 Surprising Reasons to Celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day