What is the Difference Between Scavenger Hunt and Treasure Hunt

The main difference between scavenger hunt and treasure hunt is that a scavenger hunt involves collecting items from a list of specific items, whereas a treasure hunt involves following a series of clues to find an object.

Scavenger hunt and treasure hunt are games that can keep people entertained for hours. Therefore, they are popular among both kids and adults alike. They can be played anywhere, with any number of people. Although most people assume that scavenger hunt and treasure hunt are names for the same game, this is not true. There are some differences between a scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Scavenger Hunt  
      – Definition, Features 
2. What is a Treasure Hunt
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities – Scavenger Hunt and Treasure Hunt
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Scavenger Hunt and Treasure Hunt
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Games, Scavenger Hunt, Treasure Hunt

What is a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a game where players compete to obtain the most items from a list of specific items. Here, players can be either teams or individuals. Scavenger hunts are a popular party game. This game can also keep your children entertained for hours. The first step in a scavenger hunt is coming up with a list of specific items. These items can be anything; for example, a coin from a specific year, a Birthday card, red socks, a bar of soap, a movie ticket stub. In some games, these lists are indeed made of quite unusual items. This game can be played anywhere – inside the house, at a party, in the garden, or even around the garden. The organizer(s) can prepare the list of items according to the location. For instance, if you are playing outside, the list can include things from nature – a flower of a specific color, a leaf from a particular tree, and even insects like snails.

The first person or team to collect the items on the list is the winner of a scavenger hunt. Sometimes, the game is played within a set period of time, and the team or player who obtains the most items from the list becomes the winner.

What is a Treasure Hunt

A treasure hunt is a game similar to a scavenger hunt, but it involves following a series of clues to find an object or objects. When you are on a treasure hunt, you will first get a clue. This clue can be a puzzle, rhyme, or code. For example, let’s say your clue is “the next place you’ll need to look is the place where you’ll find a book.” This clue will lead to a bookshelf or library in your home. There, you will find another clue leading to another location. Some treasure hunts use clues that are difficult to crack – like Morse code, braille, sudoku, etc.

In some treasure hunts, each location will have a gift. But most hunts usually have a treasure at the final location. Like scavenger hunts, treasure hunts can be done with individual players or with teams.

Similarities Between Scavenger Hunt and Treasure Hunt

• Both are popular games among both kids and adults alike.
• They can be played anywhere, with any number of people.
• Players can be either teams or individuals.

Difference Between Scavenger Hunt and Treasure Hunt

Definition

A scavenger hunt is a game where players compete to obtain the most items from a list of specific items. A treasure hunt, on the other hand, is a game similar to a scavenger hunt, but it involves following a series of clues to find an object or objects.

Basic Nature

A scavenger hunt involves collecting items from a list of specific items, whereas a treasure hunt involves following a series of clues to find an object.

Location of Objects

In a scavenger hunt, players may know where to locate specific items, but in a treasure hunt, players are unaware of the location of the objects or clues until they decode the clues.

Conclusion

The main difference between scavenger hunt and treasure hunt is that a scavenger hunt involves collecting items from a list of specific items, whereas a treasure hunt involves following a series of clues to find an object.

Reference:

1. “Scavenger hunt list” By Virginia State Parks (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Treasure-chest-chest-jewellery-open” (CC0) via Pixabay

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