Supermarket scavenger hunt
Turn your grocery run into a playful mission for a more calm & engaging shopping experience.
Is the supermarket with kids usually a mission? Might as well turn it into a playful one, by setting them on a scavenger hunt while you shop!
Whether it’s spotting numbers, colours, or giving them their own shopping list to check off, this simple idea helps channel their energy into something positive and keeps little hands (and minds) busy.
Materials
Prep
Step 1:
Jot down a short list or draw simple items (e.g. a banana, bread, the number 3). Or just decide on a few categories for them to search for (e.g. something red, something cold, a word starting with ‘S’).
Step 2:
Prep them before the trip: “You’ve got a very important mission today!”
Play
Step 1:
Hand them their list or describe the mission.
Step 2:
Walk the aisles and encourage them to point out or help find each item.
Step 3:
Let them tick things off or place items in the trolley (if appropriate).
Step 4:
Celebrate at the checkout - mission complete!
Extend
Category Challenge: Ask for “one thing that’s crunchy” or “something in a box.” Great for early reasoning and vocab.
Number spotting: Search for numbers on signs, price tags, or aisles.
Photo hunt: Let them take photos of the items they find and review them together after shopping.
Draw Your List: For non-readers, draw their list at home together before leaving - or let them draw what they remember when you get home.
