Jigsaw Puzzle Scavenger Hunt

A jigsaw puzzle scavenger hunt combines the fun of hunting with the challenge of solving. Be the first team to find all of your pieces and put your puzzle together.

Jigsaw Hut Tips and Variations

This past summer I planned the activities for a camp for 10 and 11 years olds. We played a jigsaw scavenger hunt there and the kids had a lot of fun. They not only had the challenge of finding the puzzle pieces, but they also had to put the puzzle together to win.

We had an army theme, so we found two different army posters. We glued one poster to a piece of yellow bristol board and the other to a piece of red bristol board (those colors are easier to find than green and blue, especially outdoors). We then cut each of the posters up into about 24 pieces and hid them everywhere, including in the trees. We made sure that every piece could be reached without climbing. (Note: be sure to cut both puzzles into the same number of pieces)

We divided the kids into two teams, told each team what color pieces they were looking for and the hunt began. The first team to get their puzzle together won!

Important Jigsaw Puzzle Scavenger Hunt Tips

Be sure to tell your teams not to touch the puzzle pieces from their opposing team(s). Also, instruct them to ignore any puzzle pieces they see that belong to the other team(s) or they will be unknowingly helping their opponents.

This game can be played indoors or outdoors with any number of teams, however, you will need to use a different color backing for each team.

Puzzle pieces can be cut in squares, triangles, a combination, or even jigsaw pieces if you have the patience. My assistant was kind enough to draw out the knobs for our jigsaw pieces using a small cup. Thank you Sarah!

Game Prep VariationS

Purchase a couple of pre-made jigsaw puzzles (with larger pieces) and put them together with their back (blank) sides facing up. Paint the back of one red, the back of the another yellow, and so on, depending on how many teams you have. When the paint has dried take the pieces apart and hide them.

For one of my niece's birthdays, we hid smaller puzzle pieces inside of inflated balloons and the guests had to stomp the balloons to find their pieces, and put them together to find the location of their next scavenger hunt clue.

Jigsaw Puzzle Scavenger Hunt

Important Jigsaw Puzzle Scavenger Hunt Tips

Game Prep VariationS

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