Roads and towns on every page. Open the atlas and turn to your age.Hide it: the road atlas. Slip the clue in at the page number that matches the hunter's age.
Far-off birds look close through these. Check the case, and hurry, please.Hide it: the binoculars. In the case, under the strap.
Cocoa stays hot in me all day. Unscrew my cup and read what I say.Hide it: the vacuum flask. Empty and dry, with the clue under the cup lid.
When the campsite is dark I light the way. Unwrap my handle and read what I say.Hide it: the flashlight. Wrap the strip around the handle and hold it with a rubber band.
Castles need a bucket and spade. Look in the pail where a clue's been laid.Hide it: the sand bucket. A kitchen bucket with a wooden spoon in it works as well.
Tickets, receipts and a postcard or two. The travel wallet has a clue for you.Hide it: the travel wallet or document folder. Keep the real tickets somewhere else until the reveal.
Write what you see at the end of each day. A notebook and pen are hiding the way.Hide it: a travel notebook. A new notebook makes a small first present. Write the clue on page one.
Zip yourself in from toe to chin. Unroll the bag and look within.Hide it: the sleeping bag. Roll the clue into the foot of the bag.
This is the last clue, and that's a fact. We leave for ____ on ____. Go pack.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination, then the date. Leave it on the hunter's bed beside an empty suitcase.
Shout it loud and shout it clear. We're going to ____ this year.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. Write the destination in big letters and let the youngest hunter read it out.
Scavenger Hunt Clues for a Surprise Vacation: how it works
These scavenger hunt clues for a surprise vacation let the trail do the telling. Each of the 61 rhymes sends the hunter to one thing at home, and 38 of those things are hints: a swimsuit, snow boots, a folded map. Eleven reveal clues rhyme around blanks for the destination and the date.
One chip deals a whole trail
Press Beach trip, Snow trip, City trip or Camping or road trip and New clues deals ten. Each chip mixes its own hints, nine to eleven of them, with 11 clues that fit any trip and 12 plain stops around the house, such as the freezer and the globe. Lock the rhymes whose objects you own and Swap the others. Keep two or three hints so the guessing starts early, then Print.
Fill the blanks, then lay the trail backward
Press Reveal clues with blanks and print 5. Three have two blanks, for the destination and the date. The others take one, and one of them points to a wrapped parcel. Write the answers in by hand. The note under each rhyme begins Hide it, so cut the strips apart and trim that line off. Place the reveal first, then each strip where the rhyme before it sends the hunter.
Tips
Save the passport clue for late in the trail. It tells the hunter the trip crosses a border.
Keep the real tickets out of the hunt. A paper strip can get lost behind the frozen peas, and a boarding pass cannot.
Two children? One reads the rhyme and the other runs, then they trade.
Questions and answers
How many clues does a surprise trip hunt need?
Six to eight stops plus the reveal suits most homes. Use one hint for every two plain stops, so the hunter is guessing by the halfway mark. Of the 61 rhymes, 25 are easy, 31 medium and 5 hard, such as the passport and the glove box.
What if our trip is not one of the four kinds?
Press Any trip. Its 11 clues fit every journey: the suitcase, the headphones, the phone charger, the snack cupboard, the wall calendar. Add stops from Around the house and let the reveal do the telling. For a visit to family, use the parcel reveal and wrap a small hint for the last stop.
Can the hunt happen on the morning we leave?
Yes. One reveal clue is written for it: Guess where we're going? Guess once more. It's ____, so head for the door. Stand the packed bags by the front door first. The trunk and back seat clues suit a driving trip, with the car parked on your own drive and an adult beside the hunter.
A brim all round to shade your face. Look under the hat in its resting place.Hide it: the sun hat. Under the hat, on a shelf the hunter can reach.
A little book with your photo inside. Without it, borders won't open wide.Hide it: the passports. An adult holds the passports and hands over the clue. Skip this stop if the trip stays inside the country.
A pillow that bends around your neck. Find it and give the tag a check.Hide it: the travel neck pillow. Tie the strip to the tag with thread.
Before we leave, the plants need a drink. Look by the pot that's nearest the sink.Hide it: the houseplant nearest the sink. Under the pot's saucer, with a corner showing.
Breakfast first, there's far to travel. Turn the cereal box and the plot will unravel.Hide it: the cereal box. Tape the clue to the back of the box, never inside with the food.
Castles need a bucket and spade. Look in the pail where a clue's been laid.Hide it: the sand bucket. A kitchen bucket with a wooden spoon in it works as well.
Colder than any place we could go. Look by the peas in the ice and snow.Hide it: the freezer. Seal the strip in a sandwich bag so frost does not smudge the ink.
Count the sleeps until we go. The calendar page has more to show.Hide it: the wall calendar. Circle the departure day before the hunt, and clip the clue to that page.
Every adventure starts out here. Look by the door where the coats hang near.Hide it: the coat hooks by the front door. In the pocket of the coat the hunter wears most.
Every good journey runs on snacks. Look in the cupboard behind the packs.Hide it: the snack cupboard. A cupboard the hunter can reach from the floor.
Flip and flop is the sound they make. Find the clue between them, for goodness' sake.Hide it: the flip-flops. Sandwich the clue between the pair.
Good news comes in an envelope. Look in the mailbox and don't lose hope.Hide it: the mailbox. Your own mailbox, with an adult walking out beside the hunter.
It has a handle, wheels and a zip. Look inside it, you're going on a trip.Hide it: the suitcase. Lay the clue flat inside the lid. A good second stop, because it gives the game away.
Keys for the house and keys for the car. Look where they hang, it isn't far.Hide it: the key hooks or key bowl. Clip the clue to a spare key ring.
Open the trunk, there's room to spare. Your next clue's riding along in there.Hide it: the trunk of the car. An adult opens the trunk. The packed bags can wait there too.
Pick a story, thick or thin. The book by your bed has a clue within.Hide it: the book on the nightstand. Let it stick out like a bookmark.
Pictures of places we went before. The photo album is hiding one more.Hide it: the photo album. Slip it in beside a photo from the last trip.
Rub it on noses, shoulders and knees. The bottle has a clue, so look there, please.Hide it: the sunscreen bottle. Hold the strip around the bottle with a rubber band.
See under water, clear and wide. Your goggles have a clue inside.Hide it: the swim goggles. Thread the strip through the strap.
Shells and sand between your toes. Check the bag where the beach stuff goes.Hide it: the beach bag. In the inside pocket, so it takes a second look.
Somebody has to feed the pet. Look by the food bowl, you're not done yet.Hide it: the pet's food bowl. Beside the bowl, not in it. Skip this stop if there is no pet.
Spending money, a coin or two. The piggy bank is guarding a clue.Hide it: the piggy bank or coin jar. Under it, not in it.
Tick tock, the day is drawing near. Look under the clock, a clue is here.Hide it: a clock. Under a clock on a table or a low shelf. Nothing goes on a high wall.
Too big for the bath, all stripy and bright. Unroll this towel and a clue comes to light.Hide it: the beach towel. Roll the clue into the middle of the towel.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and comb. Check the bag they ride in away from home.Hide it: the toiletry bag. Empty the bag first so the strip stays dry.
Where do we sit to plan and eat? Look under the table, by your seat.Hide it: the kitchen table. Tape it under the table edge at the hunter's own place.
Where we're headed the sun shines bright. Your sunglasses case holds a clue tonight.Hide it: the sunglasses case. Inside the case, under the glasses.
The whole wide world on a little stand. The clue is under some far-off land.Hide it: the globe. Tape it over the destination for a bold hint, or over the opposite ocean for none.
You can't go swimming in jeans and a tee. Find what you swim in and you'll find me.Hide it: the swimsuit drawer. Fold the clue inside the hunter's own swimsuit.
You'll want to remember all you see. Look where the camera likes to be.Hide it: the camera or its case. No camera in the house? Use the shelf of photo frames.
You'll want your tunes for the long ride there. Your headphones have a clue to share.Hide it: the hunter's headphones. Wind the strip around the band or tuck it in the case.
Your phone will need its daily feed. Look where you keep the cord you need.Hide it: the phone charger. Beside the plug, not behind it. Nothing goes near the socket.
Snow trip 9
A mug for cocoa after the snow. Look inside it before we go.Hide it: the hunter's favorite mug. In a cupboard the hunter can reach, with the mug empty.
Big and heavy with plenty of grip. Look in the boots you'll need on this trip.Hide it: the snow boots. In the toe of the left boot.
Cocoa stays hot in me all day. Unscrew my cup and read what I say.Hide it: the vacuum flask. Empty and dry, with the clue under the cup lid.
Puffy and zipped from chin to knee. Your biggest coat has a pocket for me.Hide it: the winter coat. In the pocket, zipped shut.
Pull it down over both your ears. Inside your wool hat, a clue appears.Hide it: the wool hat. Fold the clue into the turned-up brim.
Ten warm fingers will thank you for these. Look in your mittens before you freeze.Hide it: the mittens or gloves. Push the clue into the thumb.
They fog on the chairlift and shine in the sun. Your snow goggles hide the next one.Hide it: the snow goggles. No goggles yet? Wrap a new pair as the first present of the trip.
Toes get cold where the snow lies deep. Look in the drawer that thick socks keep.Hide it: the thick-sock drawer. Inside the woolliest pair.
Wrap me twice around your neck. Shake me out and have a check.Hide it: the scarf. Roll the scarf around the clue and put it back on its hook.
City trip 9
A bag for your back for a day about town. Unzip the front and look deep down.Hide it: the day backpack. In the smallest pocket.
Hello and thank you, please and where. A little phrase book has a clue to share.Hide it: a phrase book. No phrase book? Write four travel words on a card and hide the clue behind it.
It might just rain on a city street. Look in the umbrella, folded neat.Hide it: the folding umbrella. Tuck the clue under the strap. Nobody needs to open it indoors.
Miles of pavement and sights to see. Your comfiest shoes are hiding me.Hide it: the comfiest walking shoes. Under the insole if it lifts out, or in the toe.
Museums and towers and trains underground. In your jacket pocket the next clue is found.Hide it: the light jacket. In the pocket the hunter uses least.
One fancy dinner is part of the plan. Check your best outfit as fast as you can.Hide it: the hunter's best outfit on its hanger. Pin the clue to the hanger, not to the clothes.
Streets and rivers, all drawn flat. Unfold the map and look at that.Hide it: a folded map. Any map will do. A map of the real city gives the most away.
Tickets, receipts and a postcard or two. The travel wallet has a clue for you.Hide it: the travel wallet or document folder. Keep the real tickets somewhere else until the reveal.
Write what you see at the end of each day. A notebook and pen are hiding the way.Hide it: a travel notebook. A new notebook makes a small first present. Write the clue on page one.
Camping or road trip 11
Buckle up, it's a good long ride. Look on the back seat, a clue's inside.Hide it: the back seat of the car. Parked on your own drive, with an adult beside the hunter.
Far-off birds look close through these. Check the case, and hurry, please.Hide it: the binoculars. In the case, under the strap.
Fill me with water before the trail. Look inside me without fail.Hide it: the water bottle. Empty and dry, with the strip curled inside.
The front seat has a little door. Behind it, maps, and one clue more.Hide it: the glove box. The car stays parked on your own drive, and an adult opens it.
Laces, mud and a sturdy sole. Look in the boots for a mountain stroll.Hide it: the hiking boots. In the toe, under the laces.
Marshmallows toast when the fire burns low. Find the bag and you will know.Hide it: the bag of marshmallows. Tape the clue to the back of the bag, in a cupboard within reach.
Roads and towns on every page. Open the atlas and turn to your age.Hide it: the road atlas. Slip the clue in at the page number that matches the hunter's age.
Sandwiches, apples and drinks kept cold. Lift my lid and a clue you'll hold.Hide it: the cooler. Empty, with the lid left unlatched.
Spread me out on grass or sand. Shake me open, the clue's at hand.Hide it: the picnic blanket. Folded inside, on a shelf the hunter can reach.
When the campsite is dark I light the way. Unwrap my handle and read what I say.Hide it: the flashlight. Wrap the strip around the handle and hold it with a rubber band.
Zip yourself in from toe to chin. Unroll the bag and look within.Hide it: the sleeping bag. Roll the clue into the foot of the bag.
Reveal clues with blanks 11
A parcel waits and the trail is done. Look ____, and you have won.Reveal clue. After printing, write in where the wrapped reveal is hidden. Wrap a guidebook, a map or a small thing for the trip, with the destination written on the tag.
The bags are waiting, the plan is set. ____ will be our best trip yet.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. Put it on top of the bags in the trunk of the car.
Circle the day and count the sleeps. We leave on ____, and that's for keeps.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the date. Pair it with a paper chain, one link for each sleep until you go.
From our front door to somewhere new. On ____ we leave for ____. It's true.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the date, then the destination. Tape it to the inside of the front door.
Guess where we're going? Guess once more. It's ____, so head for the door.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. For a same-day trip. Stand the bags by the front door first.
No more clues, the secret's out. ____ is what it's all about.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. Seal it in an envelope with a postcard or a printed photo of the place.
Pack your bags and don't be late. We leave for ____, and ____ is the date.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination, then the date. Tape it inside the lid of a packed suitcase.
Shout it loud and shout it clear. We're going to ____ this year.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. Write the destination in big letters and let the youngest hunter read it out.
This is the last clue, and that's a fact. We leave for ____ on ____. Go pack.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination, then the date. Leave it on the hunter's bed beside an empty suitcase.
The tickets are booked and the secret is through. ____ is waiting for you.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. Fold it around the printed tickets or the booking page.
You solved them all, so here's the prize. We're off to ____. Surprise, surprise.Reveal clue. After printing, write in the destination. Read it aloud together, with a phone filming the hunter's face.
How this list was compiled: Written for this site by its editors in September 2026: 61 original rhyming clues that each lead to one object or place in an ordinary home, and 11 reveal clues with blanks for the destination, the date or the last hiding place. 38 clues hint at the kind of trip through the thing the hunter is sent to find (9 beach, 9 snow, 9 city, 11 camping or road trip), 11 fit any trip and 12 are plain household stops that give nothing away; the any-trip and household clues are also listed under each of the four trip chips so one chip deals a whole trail. Nothing was copied from another clue list. Every hiding place was screened against the family's rules: nothing hot, sharp, locked or plugged in, nothing above the hunter's reach, no medicine or cleaning cupboards, no climbing, the car stays parked on your own property with an adult beside it, an adult holds the passports, and nothing is bought for the hunt. The page names no destination, carrier, hotel or attraction and states no travel rule, price or document requirement, so it holds no fact that can change. Easy, medium and hard are the editors' judgment. Licence: own work