My firstborn is a teenager. Today is his thirteenth birthday and I can hardly believe he’s that old. He’s an amazing kid and I’m so proud of him and of who he’s becoming. Last night we celebrated Elijah with a Scavenger Hunt party. I think it was one of the easiest parties I’ve planned and maybe the most fun. The kids all seemed to have a great time.
We divided the ten kids into three different teams {each with an adult driver}, reviewed the rules, and sent them off with clipboards containing their lists and a bucket for collecting items. The lists were two-fold: a list of items to collect and a list of items to photograph. Coming up with the lists was so fun and we had some great items for the kids to find. {Updated to add: you can now find the lists posted here. Feel free to use any of our ideas!}
Phil and I drove separate vehicles and we painted our windows beforehand, all in the name of competition. Elijah was a bit embarrassed at first but quickly got over it.
We drove all over our area of town, collecting and photographing, and I loved seeing the kids laughing and having so much fun.
The kids had a prompt time they had to be back at the house in order to avoid point deduction. Pizza was waiting and the kids ate, talked, and did what teenagers do {and they did it noisily, I might add}.
Eli chose brown and blue as the colors for the party and I set the table in a utilitarian style, using kraft paper accents, old vintage papers for tags, and brown and white twine {lots of the items I used were purchased from Garnish}. Brown argyle fabric covered the table with a kraft paper runner.
The garland was in place, chips and pretzels were served out of folded-down paper bags, plates and straws sat in an old crate, and a large paper mache 13 sat at the center of the table {which was actually a large B cut in half since I couldn’t find numbers}.
Blue candies accented the table, and piles of pizza boxes sat at the center of it all. I was a bit disappointed Cici’s didn’t go along with my color theme {smile}.
Blue and brown cupcakes finished the meal, all wrapped up in my Silhouette-cut wrappers.
At the end of the party, the kids messed around on a graffiti wall {which was actually sitting on the table instead of attached to the wall}.
Eli said it was the best party he’s had and I think everyone had a great time with our scavenger hunt party.
You sure do great parties! Sounds like this one was really fun!!!
It’s hard to believe that Eli is 13 and a teenager!! Time does fly. The party sounds like so much fun.
These are some really great ideas- my son is turning 13 in March and I’ve been thinking about party ideas; thank you for the inspiration:)
Looks like a great party! Way to go Randi.
What a cute party!
What a great party!
You are a master of the details, and that party didn’t miss one! Fun stuff!
Sounds like a lot of fun!!!! Way to go! Happy B-day to your son! My firstborn will be 13 on the 29th….gulp!
Sounds like a lot of fun!!!! Way to go! Happy B-day to your son! My firstborn will be 13 on the 29th….gulp!
Such a great party idea! The table setting looks fantastic – I love utilitarian style – very cool. The chip and pretzel holders too!!
Thanks for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party – I greatly appreciate it. Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
I really like this party idea! You don’t see a lot for older bosy! Love the twine, paper bags and utilitarian style. Good job.
What a great teenage party! Ya know we’d love to have you share any party you ever do! You have mad skills!
I love parties like this that feature a great activity–a must for kids this age! Way to still make it cute!
What a great idea for a party…teen parties can be so iffy.
xo jana
This is AWESOME! I’m SO doing something like this for a future party. I’m excited to have found this post. 🙂 Your ideas here are perfect.
found you via pinterest… just saw this. did you post the lists of rules and things to find/photo? would love to see those!
thanks for sharing. really fun idea!
I didn’t post them but I can email them to you if you’d like. Just leave me an email address.
I would love a list of items and rules too! My daughter is turning 13 and wants a boy/girl party and I’m stumped for ideas. Sounds like a blast!
It really was a fun party! Go back to the post and you’ll see a link to the rules/items in the second paragraph!
I found you via Tip Junkie and promptly “pinned” you! I’d love a list too, if you don’t mind. My email is [email protected]
Thanks! Super idea!!
I’ve tried sending a couple of emails to you and they keep bouncing back. Is there another email address I can send to?
Would you could you email me your list as well please?? Thanks so much!
Rachahansen at msn dot com
I sent it … let me know if you don’t receive it.
I saw this link on Tip Junkie on Facebook. Love it, wonderful ideas. Could you please email me the list as well? Also I would like to get into Pinterest if someone would be willing to invite me please. [email protected] Thanks
Done … let me know if you don’t get it. I sent a Pinterest invite as well.
I want the list too! I have been wanting to do a scavenger hunt!
[email protected]
Thanks!
Love this! I’ve been wanting to do a scavenger hunt for a while but am kinda lost on putting together the list. Would love to see a copy of yours also. my email is wahoolady(at)aol(dot)com.
Thanks
I would love to do this for my daughter! What a great idea! Please send me your list as well….I will send you pictures!!! [email protected]
Thank you!!!
I found you via pinterest and would love a list of your rules and also your scavenger hunt list.Thank you.
[email protected]
Found you via Pinterest! Helping a friend plan her son’s birthday party (about to turn 13). Would love the list of rules and photos!! [email protected] Thanks so much in advance!!
I found you via Tip Junkie and would love a list of your rules and also your scavenger hunt list. Thanks. [email protected]
Can I please get a list of rules and hunt list too!!! [email protected]
Thanks!!
Hi,
Another request for your hunt list and rules please! [email protected]
What a lovely party!
Thanks for sharing,
Susan
Yet another request for your fabulous hunt list and rules!! [email protected]
Planning a party for a friend’s son, this is going to be awesome! thanks for the great party and serving ideas!
blessings,
aimee 🙂
My daughter is turning 13 next week. I’m planning to surprise her with a party and reading your blog has started me thinking…
Thanks!
Would you mind sharing your scavenger hunt list? Thank you!
Brooke
[email protected]
Darling party! I would love a copy of your list and rules! Thank you so much. My email is [email protected].
would like a copy of list and rules too. thank you [email protected]
Am planning a scavenger hunt around town for my daughter’s 13th! Would love a list of the rules if you could email me. Thanks so much! [email protected]
Love this! So creative. Would love a list of scavenger items and rules- my daughter is turning 13 in the near future. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity! [email protected]
I would love a list of your rules and items also. Thank you so much. [email protected]
I would love a list of your rules and items to hunt also. [email protected] Thanks,Melissa
Hello! I am currently planning my sons 13th birthday and I LOVE your idea of the scavenger hunt! I was wondering if you still had your rules and list of things to find… If so, may I please take a peek? Thank you!!
[email protected]
xo Kerry
I’m planning my 12 year olds birthday party and would like a list of the rules and scavenger list if that is possible. Thanks. And have day!
Could I please have a copy of the rules and hunt list too?? I think this would be a great idea. My son is turning 13 on the 13th and I need stuff to do with a bunch of people.
[email protected]
found your link through Pinterest. I would love to see a copy of your rules and the hunt to help me get my thoughts together for my son’s 14th birthday next week! Thank YOU!!!
[email protected]
Could I have the list as well 🙂
[email protected]
I would love to have your list as well.
Thanks!
[email protected]
I would love the list of rules and items as well! Sent you an email too!
Thanks SO MUCH! Great idea!
Please Send me the list and rules too thank you!
I would love this rules & list as well! Thank you!
Found you via Pinterest and love this idea. Can you please send me the rules and list? Thanks! Jbarry821 at gmail dot com
I would also love a list of the rules and list.
Thanks in advance!
[email protected]
-Amber
I see this post is a couple of years old and I’m glad I’m not the only one just finding it and asking for the list of items and rules! I’d love a copy also if you still have it!
[email protected]
I really hate to ask this after viewing all the previous post, but I sure could use a copy of the rules and list if you don’t mind? Thank you so much for sharing these great ideas!
Still applies today! Happy 16!
I love your idea, thanks for sharing this, my son is turning 13 in March and we’re going to do this.
A few questions, how long did this take? How did you develop or share the pictures the teams took? Was there a prize for the winning team?
Thanks!
Kim
I believe we scheduled two hours for the actual hunt. We developed pictures later and had the kids text them in on their cell phones during the hunt. I believe we gave fast food gift cards to the winning team. Hope that helps!
hi- i am planning something similar for my daughter’s 13th next week- what did u do for invitations?
I made a really simple invitation on the computer. It said, Hunt.Eat.Party, and then had all of the details underneath.