Father's Day Scavenger Hunt Clues

Press Pick 8 new clues for seven rhymes that lead him through his own things to his present.

Father's Day Scavenger Hunt Clues

  1. Burgers sizzle here later today. The grill's side shelf points the way.Hide the next clue: the cold grill's side shelf. Only when the grill is cold. Set a pebble on the strip on the side shelf.Trail
  2. Under the screen where the big game plays, a shelf holds a clue. Look both ways!Hide the next clue: the shelf under the television. Lean the paper on the cable box, facing the couch.Trail
  3. Soft and round, they hug the meat. Check the buns before we eat.Hide the next clue: the bag of burger buns. Twist the strip into the bag's tie.Trail
  4. Just a drop makes your face go red. The hot sauce bottle is where you're led.Hide the next clue: the hot sauce bottle. Stand the strip beside the bottle, in the refrigerator door or the cabinet.Trail
  5. Big smile, big shoes, that's our art. Behind our drawing is the next part.Hide the next clue: the children's drawing of him. Tape the strip to the back, where the crayon did not reach.Trail
  6. Sticky, sweet and smoky too. The sauce bottle has a clue for you.Hide the next clue: the barbecue sauce bottle. A rubber band holds the strip against the bottle's label.Trail
  7. A tiny home with a round front door. At the birdhouse there is more.Hide the next clue: the birdhouse. Tie the strip to the post or the hanger, never inside.Trail
  8. The trail stops here, and so do we. Look ____: it's from us, you see.The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.Present

Next step After the hunt: Father's Day trivia

How it works

These Father's Day scavenger hunt clues are written to him as you, so the same strips work for a dad or a grandpa. They lead from the card by his plate to the cold grill, then to his present.

Read the full guide

Deal a trail he can walk

The page opens on seven easy rhymes a young child can read aloud, and a final clue. Riddles deals the same places without naming them. The menu under the button keeps the trail to Cookout and gifts, Around the house or Garage and yard. Lock the clues whose places you have and Swap the rest.

Hide it the night before

Press Hide all answers, then Print: the hiding places print on a last page for the children. Write where the present is in the final clue. Hide the present first, then each strip at the place the strip before it names. The grill clue is for a cold grill only.

Tips
  • Scavenger hunt clues for Father's Day morning: hand him the first strip with the card by his plate.
  • Swap the grill and workbench clues if the house has neither.

Questions and answers

How do you make a Father's Day scavenger hunt?

Deal a trail, lock the clues whose places you have, then print and cut the strips. Hide the present, then each clue at the place the one before it names. Give him the first clue at breakfast.

What are some Father's Day scavenger hunt riddles?

Ones about his things. I am a yellow ribbon of numbers that snaps back home when you let go: his tape measure. I close like a book and print a grid of squares on breakfast: the waffle iron.

Can young children set the trail by themselves?

With one helper. A child who has just learned to read can manage the easy rhymes and place most strips. A grown-up or an older child handles the grill shelf, the workbench stool and the writing in the final clue.

Does it work for a grandfather?

Yes. Every clue says you and names nobody, so nothing needs changing for a grandpa, a stepdad or an uncle. Swap any place his house lacks.

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All 68 clues

Easy rhymes 30

  • A tiny home with a round front door. At the birdhouse there is more. Hide the next clue: the birdhouse. Tie the strip to the post or the hanger, never inside.
  • After a storm you check how much. The rain gauge has a clue to clutch. Hide the next clue: the rain gauge. Tie the strip to the post below the tube.
  • Big smile, big shoes, that's our art. Behind our drawing is the next part. Hide the next clue: the children's drawing of him. Tape the strip to the back, where the crayon did not reach.
  • Broken toys come here to mend. At your workbench stool, the search won't end. Hide the next clue: the workbench stool. Tape the strip beneath the stool's seat. The tools stay on their hooks.
  • Burgers sizzle here later today. The grill's side shelf points the way. Hide the next clue: the cold grill's side shelf. Only when the grill is cold. Set a pebble on the strip on the side shelf.
Show all 68 clues (63 more)

Easy rhymes, continued

  • Buttons and a collar, pressed and neat. Your shirt pocket holds a sheet. Hide the next clue: the pocket of his hanging shirt. Drop the strip into the chest pocket of a shirt on its hanger.
  • Cushions sleep here, safe from rain. Lift the patio box lid again. Hide the next clue: the patio storage box. Drop it onto the folded seat pads, then shut the lid.
  • Flip them, stack them, pass the plate. The pancake box holds a clue. Don't wait! Hide the next clue: the pancake mix box. Slip the strip under the box's top flap.
  • Hot or cold? You always know. By the thermometer, look below. Hide the next clue: the outdoor thermometer. Tape the strip just below the dial or the tube.
  • Just a drop makes your face go red. The hot sauce bottle is where you're led. Hide the next clue: the hot sauce bottle. Stand the strip beside the bottle, in the refrigerator door or the cabinet.
  • Leather and laces, ready to catch. Look in the glove: you've met your match. Hide the next clue: the baseball glove. Fold the strip into the pocket of the glove.
  • Mallets and hoops, or balls to throw. Unzip the lawn game bag. Go, go, go! Hide the next clue: the lawn game bag. Zip the strip into the bag with the mallets or the balls.
  • Measure twice, cut once, you say. Your tape measure shows the way. Hide the next clue: his tape measure. Pull the tape out a hand's width and fold the strip into it.
  • Muddy shoes that wait outside. In your garden clogs a clue can hide. Hide the next clue: his garden clogs. Roll the strip into the left clog.
  • One free hug, one car wash too. Your coupon book has the next clue. Hide the next clue: the coupon book the children made. Staple it after the last coupon, the one for a quiet hour.
  • Salty twists, your favorite crunch. The pretzel bag holds more than lunch. Hide the next clue: the pretzel bag. Fasten the strip to the bag with its clip.
  • Soft and round, they hug the meat. Check the buns before we eat. Hide the next clue: the bag of burger buns. Twist the strip into the bag's tie.
  • Sprinkle it where the lawn is bare. The grass seed bag has a clue to share. Hide the next clue: the bag of grass seed. Fold the strip under the rolled top of the bag.
  • Squares that catch the syrup well. The waffle iron has a clue to tell. Hide the next clue: the waffle iron. Cold and unplugged, in its cabinet. Rest the strip on the closed lid.
  • Sticky, sweet and smoky too. The sauce bottle has a clue for you. Hide the next clue: the barbecue sauce bottle. A rubber band holds the strip against the bottle's label.
  • Stripes and dots all in a row. Check your tie rack, then you'll know. Hide the next clue: his tie rack. Drape it across the bar, hidden by the brightest necktie.
  • Toss a bag and hit the hole. The game board has a clue. That's the goal! Hide the next clue: the beanbag toss board. Feed the strip through the hole and tape it behind.
  • Under the screen where the big game plays, a shelf holds a clue. Look both ways! Hide the next clue: the shelf under the television. Lean the paper on the cable box, facing the couch.
  • Unfold it, sit, enjoy the sun. Your lawn chair hides the next one. Hide the next clue: the folding lawn chair. Clip the strip to the seat webbing with a clothespin.
  • We made it ourselves with crayon and care. Open your card: a clue is there. Hide the next clue: the card by his plate. Slide the strip inside the card before breakfast.
  • Where does the remote always hide? In your chair's pocket. Look inside! Hide the next clue: the side pocket of his chair. Push the strip down beside the remote.
  • You pack our lunches before we go. The sandwich bag box is next, you know. Hide the next clue: the box of sandwich bags. Tuck it into the opening of the box, on top of the first bag.
  • You water it and watch it grow. By the tomato plant, look down low. Hide the next clue: the tomato plant. Clip the strip to the cage or the stake, not to the plant.
  • You wear it on your wrist each day. Your watch has the next clue. Hooray! Hide the next clue: his watch. Thread the paper through the buckle of the band on his dresser.
  • Your cup sits here so the wood stays dry. Lift the coaster, don't be shy. Hide the next clue: the coaster on his side table. Cover the strip with the coaster.

Riddles 30

  • Add milk and an egg to what I hold, and Saturday breakfast gets flipped. What am I? Hide the next clue: the pancake mix box. Slip the strip under the box's top flap.
  • I am a bench that is hollow: lift my lid and find the cushions. What am I? Hide the next clue: the patio storage box. Drop it onto the folded seat pads, then shut the lid.
  • I am a clear tube with marks, and after every storm you read me like the news. What am I? Hide the next clue: the rain gauge. Tie the strip to the post below the tube.
  • I am a flat square that saves the wood from the ring your cup would leave. What am I? Hide the next clue: the coaster on his side table. Cover the strip with the coaster.
  • I am a sack of tiny grains that you scatter wherever the lawn gives up. What am I? Hide the next clue: the bag of grass seed. Fold the strip under the rolled top of the bag.
  • I am a slanted board with one round hole, and bags fly at me all afternoon. What am I? Hide the next clue: the beanbag toss board. Feed the strip through the hole and tape it behind.
  • I am a small bottle of fire. A few drops of me and you reach for water. What am I? Hide the next clue: the hot sauce bottle. Stand the strip beside the bottle, in the refrigerator door or the cabinet.
  • I am a small square pouch over your heart, on the shirt that waits on a hanger. What am I? Hide the next clue: the pocket of his hanging shirt. Drop the strip into the chest pocket of a shirt on its hanger.
  • I am a wooden home with one round door and no rent, and my tenants sing. What am I? Hide the next clue: the birdhouse. Tie the strip to the post or the hanger, never inside.
  • I am a yellow ribbon of numbers that snaps back home when you let go. What am I? Hide the next clue: his tape measure. Pull the tape out a hand's width and fold the strip into it.
  • I am brown and sweet and smoky. You brush me on, and I end up on your chin. What am I? Hide the next clue: the barbecue sauce bottle. A rubber band holds the strip against the bottle's label.
  • I am folded paper with your name on the front and small signatures inside. What am I? Hide the next clue: the card by his plate. Slide the strip inside the card before breakfast.
  • I am leather, I have a pocket, and I only work when someone throws to you. What am I? Hide the next clue: the baseball glove. Fold the strip into the pocket of the glove.
  • I am sewn to the arm of your favorite seat, and remotes go missing in me. What am I? Hide the next clue: the side pocket of his chair. Push the strip down beside the remote.
  • I am you in crayon, with a head too big and a smile too wide. What am I? Hide the next clue: the children's drawing of him. Tape the strip to the back, where the crayon did not reach.
  • I close like a book and print a grid of squares on breakfast. What am I? Hide the next clue: the waffle iron. Cold and unplugged, in its cabinet. Rest the strip on the closed lid.
  • I fold flat in the shed all winter and hold you up all summer afternoon. What am I? Hide the next clue: the folding lawn chair. Clip the strip to the seat webbing with a clothespin.
  • I have three legs and no back, and you perch on me to mend what we broke. What am I? Hide the next clue: the workbench stool. Tape the strip beneath the stool's seat. The tools stay on their hooks.
  • I ride on your wrist and count, and you check me when a meeting runs long. What am I? Hide the next clue: his watch. Thread the paper through the buckle of the band on his dresser.
  • I stand on the patio under a lid, and you stand at me turning dinner over. What am I? Hide the next clue: the cold grill's side shelf. Only when the grill is cold. Set a pebble on the strip on the side shelf.
  • My pages promise a hug, a car wash and a quiet hour, all in crayon. What am I? Hide the next clue: the coupon book the children made. Staple it after the last coupon, the one for a quiet hour.
  • Pull one of us out and the next pops up. We keep a lunch from going stale. What are we? Hide the next clue: the box of sandwich bags. Tuck it into the opening of the box, on top of the first bag.
  • The screen stands on top of me. I hold the boxes and wires nobody touches. What am I? Hide the next clue: the shelf under the television. Lean the paper on the cable box, facing the couch.
  • Silk hangs from me in stripes and dots, and you choose one on important days. What am I? Hide the next clue: his tie rack. Drape it across the bar, hidden by the brightest necktie.
  • Unzip me and the whole family ends up arguing about rules on the grass. What am I? Hide the next clue: the lawn game bag. Zip the strip into the bag with the mallets or the balls.
  • We are baked knots with salt on top, and you say you will have only a few. What are we? Hide the next clue: the pretzel bag. Fasten the strip to the bag with its clip.
  • We are rubber, we are muddy, and we are never allowed past the back door. What are we? Hide the next clue: his garden clogs. Roll the strip into the left clog.
  • We come in a bag, sliced in two, and we hold a whole meal in one hand. What are we? Hide the next clue: the bag of burger buns. Twist the strip into the bag's tie.
  • You glance at me through the window, then tell everyone to bring a jacket. What am I? Hide the next clue: the outdoor thermometer. Tape the strip just below the dial or the tube.
  • You water me all summer and count my fruit like trophies. What am I? Hide the next clue: the tomato plant. Clip the strip to the cage or the stake, not to the plant.

Cookout and gifts 8

  • Happy Father's Day from all of us. Your gift is ____. No fuss! The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • No more hunting, take a seat. Your surprise is ____. Enjoy the treat! The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • That's the last one. You did great! Look ____. We could not wait. The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • The trail stops here, and so do we. Look ____: it's from us, you see. The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • We kept the secret all week through. Look ____: it is just for you. The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • You followed every clue we wrote. Your present is ____. End of note. The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • You found them all, you did not quit. Your present is ____. Go get it! The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.
  • You walked the whole trail without a map. Look ____, then take a nap. The finishing strip. A grown-up helper writes the present's place into the gap: on his workbench, perhaps, or beneath his chair.

How this list was compiled: Written for this site by its editors on 2 October 2026: original clues for a trail that children set for a father or a grandfather. Each of 30 hiding places, 12 of them things of the day itself and 18 around the house, garage and yard, has an easy rhyme that names the place and a riddle that does not, and eight final clues carry a blank for where the present waits. Every clue speaks to him as you and names nobody. Nothing was copied from another clue list. No hiding place is near a lit grill, a hot appliance or a tool with a blade: the grill clue is for a cold grill, the waffle iron is cold and unplugged in its cabinet, and the workbench clue is its stool. The note under each clue names the place and says where the paper strip goes. Licence: own work