Party City & Scavenger Hunt Ideas

A treasure-inspired scavenger hunt is an ideal activity for a pirate-themed birthday party.Ryo Ohwada/Digital Vision/Getty Images

A scavenger hunt is an activity that can keep guests occupied for anywhere from 20 minutes to hours. It's a versatile activity, as it can be adapted to just about any age group, from the very young to their parents and grandparents. Although a scavenger hunt is relatively easy to plan and execute, it does require some preparation and supplies. These supplies can be found at most party stores, including Party City, a chain with 600 locations across the United States.

Hidden Treasures

If you are planning a scavenger hunt for young children, stage it at your home or in an outdoor space that you and a few other parents can supervise. This will eliminate the safety concerns of having children going to other people's homes in search of the items on their list. Hide items such as candy, slinky toys, bracelets, magnets, stickers, mininotebooks, stickers, bubbles, pencils and balls. If you are having a themed party, such as a pirates birthday party, hide items related to the theme. Items for a pirates party might include a gold coin, an eye patch or a small sailing ship. Most items needed for a children's scavenger hunt can be found at party-supply stores, including Party City.

An overall theme can drive a scavenger hunt, as well as the rest of the celebration. As the party host, you have an endless number of themes from which to choose. A group of adolescent boys might enjoy a pizza party. Send them on a hunt for ingredients needed to make a pizza. Decorate your party space like a pizza parlor. Pick up invitations, checked tablecloths, plastic cutlery and other items you need at a party-supply store. Party City offers invitations featuring a pepperoni pizza.

Couple a luau party for adults with a related scavenger hunt. Send partygoers out for the ingredients needed for a spicy barbecue sauce. Plastic tablecloths, paper plates, cutlery and Hawaiian-themed decorations are available at large stores including Party City.

Those on the winning team of your scavenger hunt will be eager to get their prizes. Keep them relatively inexpensive and related to your party theme. Small stuffed animals are an option for a carnival-themed party for young children. Give small bottles of nail polish to the winners of a teens' makeover party. Consider giving the winners a collection of small items in gift bags or boxes. For a children's party, prize bags could include small balls, bubbles and other novelties, which can be found at Party City and other party-supply stores. Party City offers small bags and boxes in an array of themes, ranging fire truck and SpongeBob to Chinese takeout.