Get It and Go: Scavenger Showdown Edition

It’s a wild outdoor relay race with a twist — instead of just grabbing any item, each player must search for a specific one from a chaotic shared pile. Speed alone won’t win the day — you’ve got to be sharp-eyed and strategic!

Gameplay

  • 12+ Players 👥

  • 5-7 Minutes ⏱️

What You’ll Need

  • A large mix of items (plastic toys, balls, socks, spoons, etc.) – at least 2–3 per player

  • Notecards with a list of items for each team to retrieve

  • Buckets or containers for each team

  • Cones or chalk to mark the start line and item pile area

Setup

  • Create a big pile of random objects in a shared zone at least 20–40 feet from the starting line.

  • Prepare a list of specific items each team must retrieve (same or different lists depending on difficulty).

  • Place a starting line and a bucket or container at the front of each team’s line.

  • Divide players into teams of equal numbers.

How to Play

  • Give each team their item list – either on a printed card or read out loud by a leader.

  • One at a time – On “Go!”, the first player from each team sprints to the pile.

  • Find the item – They search for the first item from their list (they can’t grab just anything!).

  • Bring it back – Once they find the correct item, they race back and drop it in their team’s bucket.

  • Tag and go again – The next player goes to find the next item.

  • Keep going until all items on the team’s list have been found and collected.

  • First team to complete their list wins!

Say Something Like
This is not just a race — it's a race AND a scavenger hunt! Each team has a list of items to retrieve from the big messy pile. You can’t just grab anything. One item at a time — find it, bring it back, and tag the next runner. First team to finish their list wins!”

Variations

  • Color Coded – Give each team a color, and only items of that color count.

  • One List, Shared Pile – Make things even harder: all teams must find the same list from the same pile.

  • Blind Grab – Blindfolded players dig through the pile with help from shouted team directions.

Discipleship Teaching Points
This game illustrates how we all have a unique mission and must stay focused to fulfill it — even when things are chaotic around us. Tie it to 1 Corinthians 9:24 – “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?”

Secular Teaching Points
This game strengthens focus, problem-solving under pressure, and perseverance. It’s a fun way to build group cohesion and healthy competition.

This game idea was created by the team at Dig the Games.

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Keywords: relay race, outdoor scavenger game, chaotic item hunt, team challenge, competitive play, strategic race, summer camp game, outdoor game,

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