Lesson Title: Back to School Scavenger Hunt

Welcome to your Back to School Scavenger Hunt - the perfect back-to-school activity to start the new school year with fun, teamwork, and discovery! Whether it's the first day of school, the first week, or an open house, this interactive classroom scavenger hunt helps students get to know their surroundings, build a sense of classroom community, and feel confident exploring their new classroom.

This school activity doubles as an engaging icebreaker, helping new students learn classroom procedures, meet new classmates, and feel welcomed into the classroom and school environment.

Grade: 3 - 9

Subject: Back to School

Objective:

During this classroom scavenger hunt, students will:

• Engage in a fun and engaging school scavenger hunt activity around the classroom and school.
• Get to know their classmates, teachers, and important areas of the school.
• Develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Practice following classroom rules, routines, procedures and expectations for the new school year.

Materials:

• Mobile devices with the Goosechase app (one per team).
• List of classroom scavenger hunt clues or scavenger hunt worksheets,
• Optional prizes for winning teams.
• No printable needed, grab an editable classroom scavenger hunt template (free to download).
• Timer, marker, and pencils for tracking progress.

Preparation:

Create an Experience in the Goosechase app using your back-to-school scavenger hunt Missions.

• These Missions should encourage students to explore their new classroom, move around, and get to know their environment.
  • Find the Principal: Take a selfie with the school principal and get one piece of advice for the new school year.
  • School Mascot: Find and take a photo with your school mascot.
  • New Friend: Get a classmate you haven't met before. Learn three interesting facts about them.
  • Classroom Treasure: Locate an item marked lucky charm or pot of gold hidden around the room.
  • Teacher Interview: Ask your teacher about their favorite subject when they were in school.
  • Around the School: Visit the library, gym, or office to find clues and take photos.
• Use this classroom scavenger hunt visual as a fun icebreaker that keeps little learners active and helps them learn their classroom.
• Find Example Missions in the Goosechase Templates below

• Run your Experience during one class period or for the entire week.
• Adapt the difficulty of the Missions based on your students' proficiency levels to keep the activity inclusive and engaging for everyone.
• If needed, prepare hints or teaching resources that might help students solve the Missions.
• Divide students into teams and assign each team a mobile device with the app, or have students complete the scavenger hunt individually.
• App Set-Up 
  • Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid tech issues.

Classroom Scavenger Hunt Lesson Plan Outline:

Introduction

Welcome students with a warm back-to-school message. Explain how this scavenger hunt activity will help them learn about their classroom community, routines, and essential classroom areas.

Show students how to use the Goosechase app and go over classroom procedures and expectations.

Goosechase Scavenger Hunt

• Read through the Missions with students, ensuring they understand them. (Tip: This may only be helpful for younger students!)
• Monitor progress and assist as necessary.
• Circulate the school to assist and ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
• If working in teams, encourage them to strategize and collaborate to solve the Missions.
• Sit back and enjoy watching your students collaborate and demonstrate their learning.

Debrief and Reflection 

• Gather students together after the scavenger hunt to discuss their experiences.
• Ask students to reflect on how they worked as a team and what strategies helped them succeed.
• Highlight creative or insightful submissions. Award bonus points to those teams or individuals (optional).
• Allow teams to share their favorite scavenger hunt missions and what they learned.
• Small prizes or certificates will be awarded to the winning team and all participants (optional).

Optional Post-Experience Activities:

Presentation

• Have students create a presentation or poster about what they learned during the scavenger hunt.

Reflection

• Ask students to write a reflection piece or journal entry outlining their first week of school experiences.

Assessment

• Evaluations based on student participation and engagement during the Goosechase scavenger hunt.
• Assess and observe students’ ability to work as a team and collaborate with other students.

Ready Made Experience Templates to Try

Back to School Icebreaker

Welcome Back! We are going to kick off the new school year by doing some back to school ice breaker Missions! Participants will get to know each other better and have a ton of fun.

Get your own copy!

Back to School Kick-Off!

Throughout the first week back to school, students will find new orientation Missions to complete! Keep checking back for new ones and keep earning points!

Get your own copy!

Back to School Orientation

Work with your team to complete all of the Missions during our Back to School Hunt! Designed for K-12 students.

Get your own copy!

Why Do Teachers Love It?

This purposeful and editable classroom scavenger hunt helps teachers save time, establish routines, and quickly build classroom communities. It encourages students to complete the scavenger hunt while learning important classroom information and bonding with classmates.

It's a fun and engaging lesson plan that helps everyone get moving, get to know each other better, and set a positive tone for the beginning of the year.

Want a copy of this lesson plan to use with your class?

What is Goosechase EDU?

Goosechase is an online platform that helps educators create and run interactive learning experiences in their classrooms and beyond. Sign up and try creating an Experience, or contact us to learn more about our school and district-wide solutions!