Easter is a time of joy, hope, and reflection, making it the perfect season to bring church members of all ages together for meaningful activities. Scavenger hunts offer a fun and interactive way to explore the Easter story, dive into Bible verses, and connect with the true meaning of Jesus’ resurrection. From creative clue-based hunts to engaging symbol hunts, these 15 Easter scavenger hunt ideas are designed for Sunday School, youth groups, and church families. Whether you’re looking to teach younger children about the story of Easter or provide older kids with a faith-filled activity, these scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to celebrate the spirit of Easter in a hands-on and memorable way.
Create a scavenger hunt that guides participants through the Easter story, from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection of Jesus. Each clue can lead them to a different location in the church, where they discover part of the story. For example, place clues at areas representing Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and the Garden of Gethsemane. At each stop, participants can read a short Bible verse or reflection about that moment. This activity is a powerful way to help both kids and adults learn and experience the journey of Holy Week.
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Fill plastic eggs with Bible verses related to Easter, such as those about Jesus’ resurrection or themes of new life. Hide the eggs around the church, and provide participants with a list of clues that hint at each egg’s location. As kids find each egg, they read the verse aloud or write it down to complete a scavenger list. Consider incorporating verses like John 11:25-26 or Matthew 28:6. This hunt is a meaningful way for children and families to engage with God’s Word while celebrating Easter.
Prepare a set of resurrection eggs, each containing an item that symbolizes a part of the Easter story (e.g., a small cross, a stone, or a piece of linen). Create a scavenger hunt where participants find these eggs in order, and have each child or family read the item’s meaning as they go. By the end of the hunt, they’ll have pieced together the full story of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. This activity is great for Sunday School or youth group and can be a memorable way to learn the story of Easter. Also see our Church Scavenger Hunt Ideas.
4. Easter Symbols Photo Hunt
Give participants a list of Easter symbols to find and photograph around the church grounds or within decorated rooms. Symbols can include a cross, an empty tomb, candles representing the light of the world, or flowers representing new life. Older kids and youth groups can be encouraged to reflect on the spiritual significance of each symbol. The activity can end with a discussion on how these symbols connect with the Easter story and what they mean to each participant personally.
5. Easter Morning Scavenger Hunt for Sunday School
Set up a scavenger hunt for young children on Easter morning before or during Sunday School. Hide plastic eggs around the Sunday School area, each containing a small message about Jesus’ resurrection, such as “Jesus loves you” or “New life in Christ.” This activity is simple and fun, helping young children connect with the Easter message through a hands-on activity that celebrates the joy of Jesus’ resurrection.
6. The Empty Tomb Hunt
Set up stations throughout the church that represent key parts of the Easter story, like the Last Supper, Jesus’ crucifixion, and the empty tomb. At each station, place small items or visual displays that relate to that part of the story. As participants visit each station, they can collect a small prize or token. The final stop leads to an “empty tomb” display that symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection, providing a powerful visual for children and families.
7. Holy Week Journey Scavenger Hunt
This scavenger hunt takes participants through the key events of Holy Week. Each clue leads to a different location in the church that represents moments like Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, and finally, the Resurrection. Each stop includes a brief Bible reading or reflection on the event, helping participants experience Holy Week in an interactive way. This hunt is ideal for church groups, Sunday School classes, or youth group gatherings.
8. Jelly Bean Faith Hunt
Fill plastic eggs with different colored jelly beans, where each color represents an aspect of the Easter story or a value of faith (e.g., red for Jesus’ sacrifice, green for new life, and white for purity). Provide children with a legend explaining each color’s meaning, and have them hunt for the eggs. Afterward, gather them to discuss the colors and how they relate to Jesus’ resurrection. This activity is both sweet and meaningful, making Easter even more memorable for kids.
9. Easter Basket Bible Verse Puzzle
Hide pieces of a Bible verse related to the resurrection within Easter baskets or plastic eggs around the church. Participants must find all the pieces and assemble the verse, which might be from Matthew 28:6 or John 11:25. This hunt can be done individually or in teams, and it’s a great way to reinforce a key scripture about the resurrection. After completing the puzzle, consider having a group discussion to reflect on the verse’s meaning.
10. Easter Symbols Clue Card Hunt
Create a set of clue cards that lead kids to different Easter symbols placed around the church, like a cross, a crown of thorns, or a lamb. Each symbol can have a brief explanation of its meaning and how it relates to the Easter story. As children collect the clues and learn about each symbol, they deepen their understanding of the holiday’s significance. This hunt is a wonderful way to engage children of various ages in learning about Easter’s rich symbolism.
11. The Light of the World Hunt
Scatter small LED candles around the church, symbolizing Jesus as the Light of the World. Each candle can be hidden with a note containing a Bible verse or a message about Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Encourage participants to find all the candles and bring them to a central location, where they can create a circle of light to reflect on the hope and joy that Jesus’ resurrection brings. This hunt can be a powerful closing activity for Easter morning, reminding everyone of the light and new life that Jesus provides.
12. Easter Basket Blessing Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt where participants search for Easter baskets filled with small items that represent blessings, such as a cross, a heart, a small plant (for new life), and a candle (for the light of the world). Each basket can include a card explaining how the item connects to Easter and God’s blessings. This hunt is a great way for kids and adults to reflect on the gifts of Easter beyond the traditional eggs.
13. Holy Spirit Wind Hunt
Place colorful ribbons or small flags around the church grounds, each with a verse or message about the Holy Spirit’s role in the Easter story and beyond. Participants can collect each ribbon or take a photo, symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit moving among them. This scavenger hunt idea helps participants connect with the Spirit’s role in guiding and comforting believers, especially during Easter.
14. Journey to the Cross Hunt
Set up clues that lead participants through significant locations associated with Jesus’ journey to the cross. Each location or station can represent events like the Garden of Gethsemane, the trial, the cross, and the empty tomb. At each stop, participants can read a verse or reflect on that moment. This is a powerful way to take youth groups or adults through the events leading to Jesus’ resurrection.
15. Sweet Treats and Scripture Hunt
Fill plastic eggs with small candy treats, like jelly beans or chocolate, along with a scripture verse that relates to Easter. Each verse can offer a short reflection on God’s love, forgiveness, or the resurrection. After the hunt, gather the participants to share their favorite verse or reflect on the meaning of Easter together. This sweet hunt combines the fun of treats with the significance of God’s Word.
16. Garden of Gethsemane Prayer Hunt
Set up a reflective scavenger hunt inspired by the Garden of Gethsemane, where participants can follow a path with various “prayer stations.” At each station, leave a Bible verse or a prayer prompt focused on themes like trust, surrender, and strength. Encourage participants to pause at each stop, pray, and reflect on Jesus’ journey in the garden. This hunt is a beautiful way to foster quiet moments of faith and connection to the events of Holy Week.
17. Light of Life Lantern Hunt
Hide small battery-powered lanterns or LED candles around the church, representing Jesus as the Light of the World. Each lantern can be hidden with a card featuring a verse or quote about light and new life. When participants find each lantern, they “light” it by turning it on and gathering them all in a central spot. This hunt creates a visual reminder of the hope and light of Jesus’ resurrection, making it a memorable activity for all ages.
Conclusion
These Easter scavenger hunts are a wonderful way to bring church members together in a celebration of faith, fun, and community. By engaging in these activities, participants can deepen their understanding of the Easter story, connect with the symbols of Jesus’ resurrection, and experience the joy of new life in Christ. Whether you’re planning for younger children, older kids, or the whole congregation, these scavenger hunts are sure to create lasting memories and reinforce the message of God’s love. This Easter, let the hunt for eggs, clues, and symbols also be a hunt for meaning, faith, and a closer walk with Jesus.
Great scavenger hunt clues are simple enough for people to solve, but still make them think. Try rhyming hints (“Look up high where praises ring, beneath the bell you’ll find a thing”), location riddles (“I’m full of stories, not of food; open my door when you’re in the reading mood”), or Bible references that point to a spot. For church events, connect clues to Scripture, ministry areas, or Christian symbols so the search is fun and faith-building at the same time.
How do you run an Easter scavenger hunt?
Start by choosing whether your Easter hunt will be indoors, outdoors, or both. Hide eggs or items that point to the resurrection—crosses, empty tomb pictures, or verse cards. Divide players into teams, give each team a list or first clue, and set a clear boundary and time limit. Afterward, gather everyone to talk through the symbols they found and read the resurrection story. Ending with a short devotion, prayer, and snacks turns a simple game into a gospel moment.
How can we do a Bible scavenger hunt?
For a Bible scavenger hunt, each clue is tied to Scripture. Give players a list of verses to look up—each verse hints at an object or location (for example, “armor” might point to a room with sports gear). Participants must read the verse, figure out the object, then find it. You can also hide letters that spell a key word like “JESUS LIVES.” This kind of hunt teaches kids and adults how to navigate their Bibles while having fun together.
How do you plan a church Easter egg hunt?
Begin by choosing a date, location, and age ranges. Recruit volunteers for registration, hiding eggs, safety, and clean-up. Fill eggs with candy, stickers, or small toys, and consider adding Scripture slips or “Resurrection Eggs” that tell the Easter story. Clearly mark areas for different age groups and explain rules before starting. After the hunt, gather families for a short gospel presentation, worship song, or craft. Always prioritize safety, clear communication, and a warm welcome to guests.
How do you make clever scavenger hunt clues?
Clever clues usually use wordplay, rhymes, or inside references that fit your group. Think of each location, then brainstorm phrases that describe it without saying its name. For example, “Where water buries worry and sin is washed away” could lead to the baptistry. Keep clues age-appropriate and readable, and test them with a friend to be sure they’re solvable. Adding Bible references, puns, or gentle humor keeps players smiling while they search.
What is the biggest type of scavenger hunt a church can plan?
A “big” scavenger hunt usually means many players and a wide area—sometimes the entire church campus or a nearby park. Some churches host community-wide Easter hunts or neighborhood hunts where families drive to different homes or landmarks to collect clues. For large events, use teams, color-coded zones, and plenty of volunteers to keep things safe and organized. Big hunts work best when they end with a central gathering for worship, testimony, or a simple gospel message.
What is the 20 Questions game for Christians?
Christian 20 Questions works like the classic guessing game, but all the answers are Bible-related. One person secretly chooses a Bible character, place, object, or event. The group can ask up to twenty yes-or-no questions to figure it out (for example, “Are you in the New Testament?” “Were you a prophet?”). It’s an easy icebreaker for youth group or family nights and helps players review Scripture in a playful way while building confidence with Bible knowledge.
What word is mentioned 365 times in the Bible?
People sometimes say the word “fear not” or “do not be afraid” appears 365 times in the Bible—one for every day of the year. While counts vary by translation, Scripture is indeed filled with God’s repeated command not to fear because He is with us. Verses like Isaiah 41:10 and Joshua 1:9 remind believers that God’s presence is greater than any challenge. This theme fits well with scavenger hunts that encourage trusting God on the journey.
What are good items for a scavenger hunt?
Good items are safe, easy to hide, and tie into your theme. For church hunts, consider plastic eggs, cross charms, small toys, stickers, verse cards, puzzle pieces, or colored beads that form a bracelet when collected. Everyday objects like Bibles, hymnals, candles, or crayons can also work. For younger children, use larger, brightly colored items; for older groups, choose smaller or more creative pieces. Always think about allergies, safety, and clean-up when selecting what to hide.
George Hendricks is the founder and managing editor of Godsverse.org. He has written and published over 200 skit reviews, church resource guides, and Bible study articles. With a background in data-driven content strategy and digital publishing, George built Godsverse into one of the most comprehensive collections of church skit reviews and printable scripts online. When he's not writing, he's researching what churches actually need and figuring out how to deliver it.
