Nursing Home Scavenger Hunt Clues

Q: How do you play with a visiting grandchild?

Choose With a visiting grandchild. The clues are for two: an object that has a story, the grandparent's favorite chair, one page shared out loud, the best place to wave goodbye from.

How it works

These nursing home scavenger hunt clues are things to spot, not things to fetch. Five groups follow the building: the lounge, the corridor, the dining room, the garden, and a set for a visiting grandchild.

Read the full guide

Choose the room, then print

The page opens on ten clues From a chair in the lounge, a seated game. The menu under the button changes the room: Along the corridor for a slow walk, In the garden for a fine day. Press Pick 10 new clues to change the set, then Print this list.

A nursing home treasure hunt with no hurry

Every clue is claimed by seeing, hearing or saying something. Nothing is carried away, and partners move at the slower person's pace. The note under each clue says what counts.

Tips

Pair a resident with a visitor or a staff member: one spots, the other ticks the box.

Questions and answers

Which clues can be found without leaving a chair?

A clock you can read, something knitted, a calendar with today's date, a lamp that is on, somebody wearing blue. From a chair in the lounge holds the seated clues.

How do you play with a visiting grandchild?

Choose With a visiting grandchild. The clues are for two: an object that has a story, the grandparent's favorite chair, one page shared out loud, the best place to wave goodbye from.

Does the hunt need teams or prizes?

No. It works as a quiet game for two with one sheet and a pen. For a group, give each table a sheet and read the finds out together at the end.

Is this a memory or therapy activity?

No. It is a game written by this site's editors, and it makes no care or health claim. Staff decide what suits the people in the room.

All 81 clues

From a chair in the lounge 16

A calendar that shows today's date Read the date aloud.
A clock you can read from where you are sitting Say the time aloud to claim it.
A cushion with stripes, checks or flowers Name the pattern.
A games shelf or a puzzle in progress Say what the finished picture will be.
A lamp that is switched on Count how many are lit in the room.
A photograph of someone smiling On a wall, a shelf or a side table.
A picture of hills, water or a field A painting, a print or a photograph.
A potted plant that is blooming Real or silk, both count.
A red spine on the bookshelf Spot it from your chair. No need to fetch it.
A window with a tree in view Name one thing the tree is doing today: swaying, dripping, dropping leaves.
Somebody wearing blue Give them a wave. They wave back to confirm.
Something in the room that plays music A radio, a piano or a speaker.
Something knitted or crocheted A blanket, a cushion cover or a cardigan.
Something that needs winding, plugging in or batteries A lamp, a clock or a radio.
The television's clicker Spot it. Nobody has to change the channel.
This week's paper Check the date on the front page.

Show all 81 clues (65 more)

Along the corridor 17

A box, slot or tray for letters Where the mail comes in or goes out.
A cart on its rounds Linen, tea or books. Just spot it.
A chair placed for a rest along the way Sit in it to claim it.
A decoration for the time of year Leaves, snowflakes, flowers or flags.
A door with a wreath, a picture or a card on it Admire it from the hall.
A fire extinguisher on the wall Look, do not touch.
A framed view you would step into if you could Tell your partner why.
A handrail along the wall Follow it with your eyes to where it ends.
A light switch or thermostat at shoulder height Spot it. Leave the setting alone.
A lit sign above a door Read its word aloud.
A mat with a word on it Usually at a main door.
A room number that ends in seven Say the whole number.
A staff member who will tell you their favorite season Ask kindly and write the season down.
An award or thank-you letter hung in the hall Read out what it is for.
The board that lists this week's activities Read out one activity and its day.
The sound of a television, a radio or someone singing Stop, listen and name what you hear.
The window at the end of the hall Say what you can see through it.

In the dining room 17

A cup with a handle and a cup without one Two finds for one line.
A fancy napkin fold A fan, a triangle or a pocket.
A notice about a birthday or a party Read out the day.
A salt and pepper pair On any table.
A serving tray In use or waiting, both count.
A shelf or ledge with an ornament on it Say what the ornament is.
A table set for four Count the places.
A tablecloth or placemat with a pattern Name the pattern.
A teapot or a coffee pot Spot one that is in use.
A vase or a centerpiece Say what is in it.
A water pitcher Full or empty, both count.
Fresh fruit set out to share Name every kind you can see.
The pass-through, counter or door the food comes through Spot it from your seat.
The sign that gives the meal times Read out when lunch begins.
Something sweet on this week's menu Read the menu, or ask the kitchen staff.
The table nearest the window Sit there to claim it.
Today's menu On a board, a card or a screen. Read out the dessert.

In the garden 16

A bee, a butterfly or a ladybug Watch it from where you are.
A bench in the sun and a bench in the shade Sit on the one you like better.
A bird on a feeder, a fence or the grass Any bird counts. Name its main color.
A cloud with a shape you can name Say what you see. Nobody can be wrong.
A flower in a color you can name Look, do not pick.
A garden ornament A gnome, a bird bath or a painted stone.
A gate, and whether it stands open or shut Say which.
A path wide enough for two side by side Walk or wheel a few steps of it together.
A place where rain collects A puddle, a barrel or a bird bath.
A pot with more than one kind of plant in it Count the kinds.
A raised planter A bed built up to table height.
A tree taller than the building Look up from a bench.
A watering can or a hose Spot it by a spigot or a shed.
A wind chime, a flag or a branch moving in the breeze Say which way the wind is blowing.
The largest leaf in the garden Hold your hand beside it for scale and leave it on the plant.
Something growing that could be eaten Herbs, tomatoes or an apple tree. Look only.

With a visiting grandchild 15

A framed family picture Count the people in it together.
A good spot for a picture of the two of you Ask a staff member or a relative to take it.
A small job to do together Watering a plant or setting out cards. Ask a staff member what needs doing.
A tabletop game for two Cards, dominoes or a puzzle.
A window the grandchild can only just see out of The grandparent says what is out there before the grandchild looks.
An object that has a story The grandparent tells it. The grandchild asks one question.
An object that is new to the grandchild The grandparent explains what it is for.
The best place to wave goodbye from Choose it together and use it today.
The grandparent's favorite chair The grandchild guesses first.
One page shared out loud From a book, a magazine or a card. Take turns with the sentences.
Paper and something to draw with Draw each other. Swap the pictures.
Something soft, something smooth and something bumpy Three finds on one line, all within reach of the chair.
Something that makes a sound when you press, shake or wind it A bell, a music box or a clock.
Something the same color as the grandchild's shirt Hold a sleeve next to it to check.
Something you both think is funny Laugh first, then write it down.

How this list was compiled: Written for this site by the Game Night Generator editors on 2026-10-03: original clues for a scavenger hunt inside a nursing home, each with a line that says what counts. Own work; nothing was copied from another list and no fact is stated. Every clue can be found from a chair or at a walking pace: nothing is carried off, nothing needs hurrying, and no clue asks about anyone's health or age or tests anyone's memory. The list is a game for residents, staff and visitors and makes no care or therapy claim. Levels are the editors' judgment. Licence: own work