Ultimate Guide to Epic QR Code Scavenger Hunts [2024 Edition]: 25+ Ideas, Lists & More

Updated: November 09, 2023

Updated: November 9, 2023

Smartphones are revolutionizing the world around us. At the same time, they’re giving people new ways to enjoy old hobbies and activities. The scavenger hunt is a classic game that has been played for centuries and today’s smartphone apps are taking it to a whole new level. If you’re looking for a creative way to enjoy a classic activity like the scavenger hunt, this could be just what you need.

What is a QR Code?

QR Codes, short for Quick Response codes, have become a ubiquitous feature in our digital landscape. These compact and visually intriguing squares are more than just a fancy barcode – they are interactive gateways to a world of immersive experiences. By simply scanning these codes with a smartphone or tablet, users can unlock a treasure trove of information, unlock exclusive content, and embark on thrilling adventures.

At their core, QR codes contain encoded data that can be read by scanning devices. However, their true power lies in their versatility as interactive tools. Whether you're a marketer, educator, event coordinator, or business owner, QR codes offer endless possibilities for engagement, interaction, and measurable results.

How Do I Scan a QR Code with My Phone?

Watch this video tutorial on how to scan a QR code on an Apple device. Scanning on other mobile devices is usually fairly similar.

What is a QR Code Scavenger Hunt?

A QR code scavenger hunt is an exhilarating gamified experience that combines the thrill of a traditional scavenger hunt with modern technology. Participants embark on an interactive adventure, scanning QR codes strategically placed in various locations to unlock clues, solve puzzles, and navigate through a series of challenges.

QR code scavenger hunts typically use QR codes to verify that participants have found certain items or locations included in the list that participants must seek out.

QR codes are placed in physical or digital (e.g. websites, social media, etc.) places. Participants are given clues on where to find the QR codes. Once the participant finds the QR code, they scan it with their smartphone and it verifies that they have found the appropriate, unique code.

QR code scavenger hunts can be used for employee onboarding and engagement, tourism and city scavenger hunts, college campuses and organizations, and so much more.

There are endless ways that you can customize a hunt for your needs and the best tools are out there today to help. Read on to learn everything that you need to know about executing the best QR code scavenger hunt, along with some examples to get you started.

How to Plan and Execute a QR Code Scavenger Hunt

Generally, creating a QR code scavenger hunt is relatively easy (especially with the right tools). A quick overview on how to create a QR code scavenger hunt looks like:

1. Create a list of items or locations for participants to find
2. Create a corresponding QR code for each item on the list
3. Place the QR codes in the designated locations in advance
4. Use a mobile app or platform that connects the QR codes to the items and verifies the scanning (e.g. scavenger hunt app)
5. Host your scavenger hunt (set a time, share the rules, etc.)
6. Award winners and prizes

The hard part about a QR code scavenger hunt is there aren't great ways out of the box to link a list of items with a particular QR code as well as perform and verify the correct QR code was scanned at the time of the hunt.

This is where a scavenger hunt app like Scavify makes this possible and effortless.

With a scavenger hunt app, the QR code generally serves as a function to complete a challenge. It may be the challenge itself (finding the QR code) or it might simply be what you scan to signify that you completed the rest of the challenge. People love using their phones to do fun new things, so this is a great way to change things up. 

QR codes, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article, are those black and white squares that often look like a barcode and a fingerprint melded together. They can be scanned by phones for several uses, such as checking inventory, checking into locations, obtaining discounts, and more. These codes are even starting to be used for identification purposes in some places. 

Of course, when you use them for a scavenger hunt, they’re much less serious. They can, however, be a lot of fun. There is a lot that you can do, so we’ve compiled this guide to help you get some ideas and set up your own QR code scavenger hunts.

QR Code Scavenger Hunt List Ideas

Some places you might consider placing QR codes incorporated into your scavenger hunt:

1. A book with a specific QR code hidden inside
2. A QR code on a restaurant menu for a specific dish
3. A QR code on a sign in a public park
4. A QR code on a flyer or poster advertising an event
5. A QR code on a storefront or business window
6. A QR code on a product in a store
7. A QR code on a billboard or advertising sign
8. A QR code on a package delivered to a specific address
9. A QR code on a bus stop or train station
10. A QR code on a museum exhibit or art installation
11. A QR code on a historical marker or plaque
12. A QR code on a business card of a specific person
13. A QR code on a product in an online store
14. A QR code on a music album cover
15. A QR code on a sign in a library or bookstore
16. A QR code on a street performer's outfit or equipment
17. A QR code on a sign in a botanical garden
18. A QR code on a monument or statue
19. A QR code on a piece of street art
20. A QR code on a specific page of a website

25 Ideas and Examples of QR Codes in Scavenger Hunts

There are several different ways that you can incorporate QR codes into scavenger hunts, no matter what you have in mind. Even if you want to do an entire hunt of finding codes by using riddles, that could be fun.

Check out the list below for 25 great ideas and examples of QR code scavenger hunts, clues, and more. 

1. Riddles

Make up riddles that have to be solved to determine which code to scan. Scanning the correct code will complete the task. Scanning the wrong one will do nothing, advising them they got the answer wrong or failed the task. 

2. New Employee Orientation

Help employees get a lay of the land in their new building by doing a QR code scavenger hunt. Have codes for different departments, areas of the building, and pertinent items that they need to be familiar with. Not only is this fun, but it also ensures they know their way around. 

3. Guides & Tours

Use QR codes to guide people through an exhibit by creating a follow-along scavenger hunt, of sorts. They can solve riddles, answer trivia questions, or find hidden codes to complete various tasks. 

4. College Campus Orientation

A QR code scavenger hunt could be a great choice for college orientation, allowing students to explore the campus and find all of the essential buildings. It also allows the staff to know that students have indeed discovered the necessary locations. 

5. Trade Shows and Conferences

Use a QR code hunt at a trade show or corporate seminar event as a way to allow people to learn about different organizations and brands, and to get everyone engaged and working together in a fun way. 

6. Checklist Verification

You can come up with clues and riddles to lead people around to various QR codes, scanning each code to complete the checklist. If you want to up the competition, consider making it a timed event to see who can find them all the fastest. 

7. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving and puzzles are fun here. You can display a riddle or math problem, for example, and then post a few different QR codes, with only one being the one that completes the task. People will have to solve the problem to scan the correct code and move on. 

8. Digital QR Codes - Websites, Videos & More

Go digital with a virtual QR code scavenger hunt, where you can hide a variety of codes on websites, in videos, or even on various social media pages. Let people go crazy trying to find all the codes, and reward the ones that finish first or complete the entire list (if you have some that are hard to find). 

9. Company Information

Use QR codes as a way to get people to explore the company website and online presence. You can create an entire hunt based on exploring the company online, hiding these codes in various places. You can provide clues to help find them or just tell people there are “X” number of codes and tell everyone to make a note of where they’re found. 

10. Landmarks

Quiz people with trivia in your city or at a landmark. You can even task them with GPS challenges that end with a scannable QR code. Once the code is scanned, the task is complete and they can move onto the next one. 

11. Directions

Give people a set of directions that is written oddly or in a way that is meant to make them think. This will require them to use their critical thinking skills and follow the right path. Set QR codes along the way to ensure they’re on track. 

12. Hidden

Hide clues in the QR code. If you’re doing a physical hunt, scanning a code could reveal the phrase “pink flower”, for example. Then, the players would be required to return with a pink flower (or something with a pink flower on it). You can also do this virtually. 

13. Employee Training

Use a QR code hunt instead of a standard training program. Let employees go through training modules or find their own “path of learning” and set the QR code benchmarks along the way. Finding and scanning the codes could be as much proof of their learning as taking a test or quiz. 

14. At Holme

Hide QR codes around the house or in your yard if you’re having a family get together or birthday party. You can even do this at a park or larger space if you need more room. Set everyone free and it’s a race to who gets done first. 

15. Popular Food and Drink Spots

Add food and drink stops to your hunt. Have people scan QR codes by ordering certain items. You can even include puzzles and riddles to help people figure out where to go. 

16. Company Marketing Campaign

Direct people to find your company in a print ad somewhere or on some type of marketing mail and scan the QR code they find on the advertising. (This one takes some planning ahead, but it’s doable)

17. Clue-to-Scan

Have people solve clues to figure out how many steps a certain direction to go, or which area they’re heading to. Then, have them just hunt out the QR code by scouring the area, and scan it when it’s found. 

18. Landmark Riddle

Describe a location or landmark in a very vague or unique way, then have people figure out where that is and scan the QR code when they discover it. 

19. Trivia Game

Direct people to complete a quiz or short trivia game and then scan the QR code when they think they’ve got the answers correct. After the hunt, you can compare times to correct answers to determine a winner. 

20. Websites

Put QR codes on different websites (that you own or have permission to post on) and then have people go on a virtual hunt. They can use their laptop or computer to do the hunting and their phones to scan the codes. 

21. Employee Training Manuals

Hide QR codes at the end of employee training materials. Make them part of a larger onboarding hunt and reward points for every code that people find. The winner is the one who finds them all first. 

22. Verify Completion of Tasks

Use QR codes as a way to verify that people are completing the tasks in a certain order. By placing a code along the hunt path, you can simply have them scan it to check-in, and then move on. 

23. Local Merchants

Find a local store that will allow you to hide QR codes and then have people come in during a quieter time and do “team shopping”-- as they shop, they can hunt for codes, and the winner is whoever finds them all. 

24. Racing

Use these codes as a race. Set them up strategically, allow people to find them using various clues, and just see who can complete the scavenger hunt race the quickest without missing any codes. 

25. Finish Line

Have someone scan a QR code to end the entire hunt so that their scores are recorded and their results can be measured. As a bonus, you can reward those who have completed all the tasks or have done it in a short amount of time. 

How to Create a QR Code Scavenger Hunt

1. Use an App

The first thing to do to make the entire process easier and more enjoyable is to choose a reputable scavenger hunt app like Scavify that offers QR code hunts as an option. That will make the entire process easier.

In most cases, they even have pre-planned hunts or templates that you can use for your group. Ensure that it offers the QR code hunts and that it can accommodate all the users that you have 

2. Set the Details

Decide when and where to do your hunt. If it’s a virtual hunt, you might be more flexible on the times or have people do it in their free time, or you might take a few hours off of work to do a team building scavenger hunt.

3. Create the List of Challenges and GO!

Then, choose how many clues you want to have and how competitive you want the hunt to be. Once you’re ready, everyone can simply get on the app and get hunting. 

Why Use an App?

There are a lot of blogs and posts out there talking about setting up your own QR code hunt without an app, but the amount of work involved is substantial. Even just generating the codes can take a lot of time. Then you have to print them, post them, and make sure that you keep track of all of them-- it’s a huge undertaking. That’s why using an app is always the best way to go. 

An app will allow you to pick and choose how you want to use QR codes and make sure that they’re generated accordingly. It will have a variety of pre-planned hunts and custom options to suit your needs, and it will take all the work and hassle out of the process so that you can focus on the fun parts. 

Leveraging QR Code Scavenger Hunts for Marketing

In the world of marketing, standing out from the crowd and creating memorable brand interactions is essential. This is where QR code scavenger hunts come into play. By integrating these innovative experiences into your marketing campaigns, you can captivate your target audience, enhance brand awareness, and drive customer engagement.

QR code scavenger hunts offer a unique and interactive way to showcase your brand, products, or services. By strategically placing QR codes in strategic locations, you can pique curiosity and encourage participants to scan the codes, unlocking a world of exclusive content and offers. Whether it's a promotional video, a discount code, a sneak peek of a new product, or an instant giveaway, QR code scavenger hunts provide an opportunity to deliver value while creating a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Not only do QR code scavenger hunts engage customers, but they also provide valuable data and insights. Through analytics and tracking, you can gather information about participant behavior, such as scan rates, engagement levels, and completion rates. This data allows you to refine your marketing strategies, personalize campaigns, and optimize future initiatives for maximum impact.

Leveraging QR Code Scavenger Hunts for Learning

Beyond marketing, QR code scavenger hunts have proven to be powerful tools for experiential learning. In educational settings, QR codes can be used to create interactive and engaging activities that promote active learning and knowledge retention. By incorporating QR codes into lesson plans, students can scan and access supplementary resources, interactive quizzes, virtual field trips, or collaborative projects. This gamified approach to learning not only enhances students' understanding and critical thinking skills but also makes learning enjoyable and memorable.

Leveraging QR Code Scavenger Hunts for Conferences and Trade Shows

As conferences and trade shows continue to evolve, event organizers are constantly seeking innovative ways to engage attendees and make their events stand out. Enter QR code scavenger hunts - a dynamic and interactive way to create buzz, encourage networking, and drive attendee engagement.

Conferences and trade shows can be overwhelming with numerous booths, sessions, and networking opportunities. QR code scavenger hunts offer a strategic solution to navigate through the event while keeping attendees actively engaged. By strategically placing QR codes throughout the venue, organizers can create a captivating scavenger hunt experience that encourages attendees to explore and interact with exhibitors, speakers, and fellow participants.

One of the primary benefits of leveraging QR code scavenger hunts at conferences and trade shows is the ability to drive traffic to specific booths or sessions. By incentivizing attendees to scan QR codes in order to receive exclusive offers, discounts, or access to exclusive content, you create an interactive journey that leads participants directly to desired destinations. This not only increases foot traffic and exposure for exhibitors but also provides attendees with a more personalized and rewarding experience.

QR code scavenger hunts also facilitate networking and relationship-building. By incorporating networking challenges into the scavenger hunt, such as scanning QR codes to connect with other attendees or complete team-based activities, participants naturally interact with one another, fostering connections and creating memorable experiences. This interactive approach to networking breaks the ice and encourages meaningful conversations, enhancing the overall networking experience at conferences and trade shows.

Leveraging QR Code Scavenger Hunts for College Campus Orientation

College campus orientation is a crucial time for incoming students to familiarize themselves with the campus layout, resources, and community. QR code scavenger hunts offer an exciting and interactive way to engage new students during orientation, helping them navigate the campus, connect with peers, and discover important information.

QR code scavenger hunts provide a gamified experience that encourages students to explore the campus and actively participate in orientation activities. By strategically placing QR codes in different areas, such as academic buildings, libraries, student centers, and outdoor spaces, students can scan the codes to unlock valuable information, challenges, and resources.

One of the key advantages of using QR code scavenger hunts for college campus orientation is the ability to introduce new students to essential campus services and resources. By integrating QR codes on campus maps, students can scan these codes to access detailed information about specific buildings, academic departments, counseling services, or campus organizations. This not only helps students navigate the campus efficiently but also ensures they are aware of available support systems and opportunities.

Leveraging QR Code Scavenger Hunts for New Employee Onboarding

The onboarding process sets the stage for a new employee's success and integration into a company. To make the experience engaging and impactful, organizations are turning to QR code scavenger hunts to create interactive and immersive onboarding experiences for their new hires.

QR code scavenger hunts offer a creative way to introduce new employees to various aspects of the company, its culture, and its operations. By strategically placing QR codes throughout the office space or within designated areas, new employees can unlock a treasure trove of information, resources, and tasks.

One of the key benefits of leveraging QR code scavenger hunts in the onboarding process is the ability to introduce new hires to different departments, key team members, and company policies. Each QR code can link to specific information about a department's role, its objectives, and its team members, allowing new employees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company's structure and operations. Additionally, QR codes can provide access to important documents such as employee handbooks, code of conduct, or safety guidelines, ensuring new hires have easy access to critical information.

Get Started with Scavify

For the ultimate ease of setting up a customizable QR code scavenger hunt, you should contact the team at Scavify.

With unique hunts that can be designed around your specific objectives, you’ll be able to drive and measure employee and user engagement. Plus, you’ll be doing it in a way that’s fun for everyone. You can assign points to tasks, create competitive games, or even just create fun QR code hunts to get people engaged. 

Now that you know more, you can see how this could be a great way to get people engaged and give them an activity to enjoy. People of all ages love scavenger hunts and when you incorporate their smartphones, they’re sure to love it even more. Contact us now to find out what you’ve been missing!