Free Printable Donut Scavenger Hunt: Donut Day Fun

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of excited kids (and adults) racing around in search of donuts! If you’re looking for a fun, engaging, and downright delicious activity to keep your kids entertained, look no further. Kids and adults alike can participate in a donut scavenger hunt, searching for hidden donuts around your home or neighborhood. Whether you’re celebrating National Donut Day or just craving some family fun, my donut scavenger hunt is sure to be a hit! 

You can make a real event at home, which is perfect if you are celebrating National Donut Day. Organize a donut-themed party at home, complete with a donut decorating station set up in your dining room, where guests can get creative with a variety of colorful glazes, sprinkles, and toppings.

For those who enjoy a bit of friendly competition, host a donut-eating contest or a donut toss game, where participants aim to land donuts onto a stick from a distance (I would opt for plastic rings rather than real donuts!). Kids and adults alike can participate in my donut scavenger hunt, searching for hidden donuts with a prize to celebrate at the end.

Why a Donut Scavenger Hunt?

What’s not to love about donuts? They’re colorful and sweet, and these nonsticky kinds are oh-so-fun to find! This scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to get the kids off their smartphones and enjoy a bit of screen-free fun. OK, you may need to lure them with something tasty from the donut shop at then end, but I’m sure they will be up for the challenge.

What You’ll Need

Ready to dive into some donut-themed fun? Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• My free printable donut scavenger hunt (link at the bottom of the post!).
• A printer and some paper.
• A few “donuts” for the prize at the end of the scavenger hunt! Or other suitable prize.
• Optional 3-digit lock.
• Enthusiastic scavenger hunters are a must!

What’s included in the kit? 

My free donut scavenger hunt includes two different variations. Both are included in the freebies all you need to do is to choose which one works best for you.

Version one has the players finding hidden donut picture cards and marking them on the recording sheet. This is a great option for young children. When they have found all the donut cards, you can reward them with their favorite donut treat. 

Version two of the game is a good option for older kids. Each picture card has a letter written in a donut cipher. The players use the donut cipher wheel to decode the message. The message reveals a three-digit code.

I designed this so you can lock away a stack of tasty donuts as the final prize for completing the scavenger hunt. Kids love tasks where they solve a problem and are rewarded at the end. And heck, donuts, right!

For version two of the scavenger hunt, I recommend you grab yourself a three-digit lock. I have loads of these lying around but I really like the ones with a flexible loop rather that the solid metal loop. The final reveal is a three-digit number: 974. Set your lock to that number.

Printables included in the donut scavenger hunt:

• The donut-themed scavenger hunt recording sheet (used for both versions of the game).
• 9 colorful donut-themed picture cards.
• 9 colorful donut-themed picture cards with secret code letters.
• Donut Cipher wheel.
• Three-digit secret donut code answer sheet.
• Matching Donut Party Banner

How to Play

The game is really simple to set up and play. Here’s how to get started with your donut scavenger hunt adventure:

1. Download and Print: Grab a copy of the free scavenger hunt. Decide which version of the game you are going to play. I recommend laminating the cards for extra durability. 
2. Hide the Donut Cards: Place the donut picture cards in various locations. They should be easy enough for the players to see. You can hide the clues inside or outside, at a park or around your classroom, anywhere, really.
3. Start the Hunt: Hand the scavenger hunt recording sheet to each player or team. A clip board can be a handy addition. If you want to reuse the activity for future use, pop the recording sheet inside a clear document wallet. Players can mark their boards with dry-erase pens.
4. Find the “Donuts”: When the players find a donut picture card, they tick it off their sheet. For the secret code version, each card also has a cipher letter on it. The letters are deciphered using the donut decoder wheel. The players then reveal a three-digit code.
5. Celebrate!: Once all the cards have been found, you can reward the players with a stash of real donuts, perhaps?, or celebrate with a donut-themed party. 

Tips for Success

• Set the Rules: Before you unleash your players, make sure to set any rules you have. Do you have any areas that are out of bounds? Set your ground rules.
• Difficulty Level: Hide the clue cards according to your players. If you have young players, keep in mind their height, and don’t make finding the cards too difficult. You can keep the hunt to a specified challenge zone, so maybe just a few areas of your home, for example. For older players, you can make the hunt more challenging by hiding the clue cards in a secret compartment with a lock code on it that they need to solve. 
• Prizes: A tasty treat of donuts is going to be a lot of fun as a final prize. You could also have goodie bags filled with donut-themed coloring pages, puzzles, and other fun activities if you want to keep the sugar rush to a minimum.
• Photo Fun: Capture the fun with photos. Why not set up a donut-themed photo booth for the end of the game?
• Make it a Race: A bit of friendly competition is always a lot of fun. You can have the players race to see who can discover all of the donuts first.

Why Parents Love It

Let’s face it—keeping kids entertained can be a challenge. But with our donut scavenger hunt, you get a perfectly planned activity with minimal effort required. It’s a win-win! Plus, you get to enjoy some quality time with your kids away from screens and gadgets.

Download Your Free Printable Donut Scavenger Hunt

Ready to create your donut-filled adventure? Fill out the form below and grab your free printable donut scavenger hunt clues. What are you waiting for? Grab the printable kit, hide those donuts, and let the scavenger hunt begin!

Don’t forget to share your scavenger hunt experiences with us! Tag us on social media using #DonutScavengerHunt and let the world see your family’s donut-filled fun!