Halloween is such a magical time of year, especially when you have little ones at home. Toddlers love exploring, pointing things out, and showing off their discoveries. That’s why a Halloween scavenger hunt for toddlers is the perfect seasonal activity – it combines fun, movement, and learning, all wrapped up in a spooky-but-sweet theme.

If your looking for a safe, simple, and engaging way to celebrate Halloween without the sugar overload, this guide will show you exactly how to plan a toddler-friendly scavenger hunt.

Why a Halloween Scavenger Hunt is Brilliant for Toddlers

At around 18 months to 3 years, toddlers are naturally curious. They love looking for things, collecting objects, and proudly shouting “I found it!” A scavenger hunt is ideal because it:

• Encourage movement – great for burning off energy.
• Builds vocabulary – pumpkins, bats, spiders, ghosts… all new words for little learners.
• Supports problem solving – toddlers learn to follow clues and look carefully.
• Creates family fun – it’s an activity siblings, parents, and even grandparents can join in with.

Indoor vs Outdoor Halloween Scavenger Hunt

You can plan your scavenger hunt either indoors or outdoors – both work brilliantly depending on your space and the weather.

• Indoor scavenger hunt: Hide paper cut-outs, toys, or decorations around your living room or playroom. This is great if the weather’s wet or chilly.
• Outdoor scavenger hunt: Hide items around your garden, or take a walk around your local area and “spot” things (like pumpkins in windows or autumn leaves).

What You’ll Need for a Toddler Scavenger Hunt

The good news is you don’t need to spend much at all. Here are some easy options:

• Halloween toys – small pumpkins, plastic spiders, toy bats, or friendly ghosts.
• Paper cut-outs – simply print or draw Halloween pictures and stick them around the house.
• Stickers – toddlers can collect a sticker each time they find something.
• A basket or bag – perfect for carrying their treasures.
• A simple list or picture sheet – for older toddlers, use a sheet with images of what to find.

Easy Halloween Hunt Ideas for Toddlers

Here are some simple ways to run a scavenger hunt that will keep toddlers engaged but not overwhelmed:

1. Picture Hunt

Print or draw Halloween images (pumpkin, spider, bat, witch’s hat, ghost). Stick them around the room or garden. Give your toddler a basket and ask them to find each picture.

2. Toy Hunt

Hide small Halloween-themed toys or figures. Each time your toddler finds one, pop it in their basket.

3. Colour Hunt

Ask your toddler to find things that are orange, black, purple, or green – classic Halloween colours.

4. Nature Hunt

If you’re outdoors, ask your toddler to look for autumn leaves, conkers, pine cones, or pumpkins outside houses.

5. Glow-in-the -Dark Hunt

Use glow sticks, torches, or LED tea lights to make an evening scavenger hunt exciting but safe.

Tips for a Successful Toddler Scavenger Hunt

• Keep it short and sweet – 10 – 15 minutes is usually plenty for this age.
• Make it safe – avoid small choking hazards or breakable items.
• Add learning – talk about shapes, colours, and Halloween words as you play.
• Celebrate every find – clap, cheer, and make it exciting to keep toddlers motivated.
• Adapt for siblings – older children can have trickier clues while toddlers stick to pictures or toys.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt Clues for Toddlers

Unlike older children, toddlers can’t yet follow written clues, so keep things visual and simple. Here are a few fun options:

• Picture cards – show them a picture of a pumpkin, then say “Can you find the pumpkin?”
• Simple rhymes – “I’m round and orange, I grow on the ground…” (pumpkin).
• Point-and-hint – gently guide them by saying “Shall we look under the table?”

Making it Extra Special

You can make your scavenger hunt even more exciting by adding little extras:

• Dress up – let your toddler wear their Halloween costume while they hunt.
• Themed basket – give them a small pumpkin bucket or trick-or-treat bag.
• Little prizes – instead of sweets, try stickers, bubbles, or a Halloween storybook.
• Music – play spooky (but not too scary!) Halloween songs while they search.

Final Thoughts

A Halloween scavenger hunt for toddlers is one of the easiest and most enjoyable activities you can set up at home. It doesn’t require much preparation, it keeps little ones entertained, and it creates lasting memories without relying on sugar or screen time.

Whether you stick with simple picture hunts indoors, hide toys in the garden, or head out on a family walk to “spot” pumpkins and spiders, your toddler will love the excitement of finding spooky treasures.

This year, give it a try – you’ll be amazed at how much fun your little one has exploring, searching, and celebrating every discovery.

For even more Halloween ideas, check out my 20 best Halloween crafts and activities for toddlers.