Shine A light Ghost Scavenger Hunt

This fun printable ghost scavenger hunt will have little ghostbusters searching for cute characters all over the house armed with a flashlight to find a surprise at the end of the hunt! It’s fun for all ages and a fab addition to a Halloween party!

I posted about a pumpkin scavenger hunt a few years ago, and someone reached out to me on Instagram and asked if I would make a new one for this Halloween. I thought it was about time, so say hello to the shine-a-light ghost scavenger hunt. I’m feeling the love for hunts at the moment. I was inspired to create a fun donut scavenger hunt a few months ago to celebrate National Donut Day. I added a decoder wheel into the game, and they went down a storm, so I knew I had to add this to this new Halloween scavenger hunt! You’ll notice I’ve also added a hidden reveal, and I am super pleased with how it turned out!

What I love about scavenger hunts is that you can set them up anywhere. There are no tricky rules to learn, and you can play with large or small groups. So I think they are a fab option for a family get-together. Throw this game into the mix with some more of my fun Halloween Games, and you will have an epic Halloween shindig!

Supplies

I’ve included two different variations of this pumpkin hunt game. Both versions use the same supplies; you’ll just play the game differently! 

• Ghost hunt printables (download at the end of this post). 
• Scissors to cut out the ghosts.
• Tape or blue tac to tape/hide the ghosts.
• Pens/Pencils to mark the ghost hunting page.
• Torches to reveal the secret code.
• Prizes (optional), but I love a prize at the end of the game. 

How It Works:

1. Hide the Ghosts: Print and hide the ghost images in your chosen location.
2. Shine the Light: Players use a torch to reveal hidden symbols on the ghost images.
3. Solve the Puzzle: The symbols form a secret word that players must race to decode.
4. Win the Race: The first team or player to reveal the word wins!

Scavenger Hunt Idea 1: Find All the Ghosts 

This version of the game is the most effortless setup and an excellent option for younger players.

Download the ghost scavenger hunt file. It includes eight different ghost characters and a recording sheet. Print out a recording sheet for each player or one per team. 

Cut out each ghost and hide them all over the house for the players to find. You can make the hiding spots easier or more tricky depending on the age of the players. With everyone armed with a ghost-hunting sheet and a pencil, it’s time to let them lose and race to see who can find all the ghosts first. 

Each of the Ghost characters is different; when players have found all the ghosts, they head back to you. If you want, you can give each player a small prize for completing the task.

Scavenger Hunt Idea 2: Code Word

I love how this version of the game turned out; it involves players searching for ghosts and using a torch to reveal hidden symbols. The setup is super simple. Cut out the ghost picture page and the secret symbols pages. Glue the ghosts page on top of the symbols and then cut out. All that’s left to do is to hide the ghost cards for players to find and tick off their scavenger hunt sheet.

When each player finds the ghost, they will need to hold a torch behind the picture to reveal the hidden symbol. Then using the cipher wheel “boo decoder,” the players can decode each symbol to reveal a letter. Together, the letters will spell the word CAULDRON. I’ve also added an editable page where you can create your scavenger hunt word for players to find.

The cipher wheel “boo decoder” is the key to deciphering the hidden letters. Print the wheel on sturdy card stock; you might even consider laminating it for extra durability. The wheel consists of two discs that overlap. Align them in the middle and secure them using a split pin or brad in the center, allowing the wheels to spin freely.

Scavenger hunt idea 3: Team Race

This version of the game is an excellent option for playing with large groups. It’s a perfect Halloween activity in a classroom setting, for example. Split the group into smaller teams of four or five players. Each team will then pick a colored ghost from a bag. Each team will only search for their colored ghost and race to find them all first. The kit includes 6 different colored ghosts to choose from.

Ghost Hunt Prizes

While the hunt itself is a big part of the fun, don’t forget about the prizes! You don’t need to go overboard—simple items like coloring pages, candy, or candy work well for kids. I’m a sucker for prizes; I like to add fun things that double up as party treats to eat or extra activities for the kids to do.

As it’s Halloween, a large witches’ cauldron filled with candy will always be appreciated, and each player can pick a treat they want to take.

How about adding a layer of mystery? Find a suitable box and lock away all the treats inside. When the players discover the word revealed by the ghosts, you can hand them an envelope. When they open it, it will reveal a puzzle they need to put together to reveal the location of the key or of the code they need to open the box. Or, if you want to keep it simple, you can just write the answer and pop it inside. I did add a printable envelope and puzzle idea into the kit.

Tips for Success

• Set the Rules: Before the start of the game, make sure to set any rules you have. Do you have any areas that are out of bounds? Let the players know.
• Difficulty Level: Hide the clue cards according to your players. Keep in mind their height, and don’t make finding the cards too tricky. For older players, you can make the hunt more challenging by hiding the clue cards in a secret compartments with a lock code on it that they need to solve. 
• Prizes: Candy is always going to be an option. Goodie bags filled with ghost-themed coloring pages, puzzles, and some crayons are a good alternative.
• Photo Fun: Capture the fun with photos. Why not set up a spooky-themed photo booth for the end of the game?
• Make it a Race: Some friendly competition is always fun.

Grab Your Copy Of The Ghost Hunt

I would love for you to try this activity because It’s a lot of fun for the whole family. Something a little bit different to do this Halloween!

What’s included:

• Game Guide.
• Scavenger hunt page with 8 ghosts to find in 6 different color options
• Secret code letters
• Cipher wheel
• Printable envelope and puzzle
• Gift tags