Free to create and play · No app download
Free school scavenger hunts for everyday discoveries.
A school hunt does not need a long route or a full afternoon. Start with a 15–25 minute activity built around colours, shapes or classroom objects. TrailClues provides free editable templates and browser-based team play for a supervised lesson or playground activity.
Choose one simple purpose
For observation, ask pupils to notice shapes and textures. For a colour activity, use objects already visible in the play area. Keep the challenge about looking and explaining rather than speed. Choose a template whose tasks match the group and the time available.
Keep the play area small and explicit
Choose a classroom, covered walkway or supervised playground. Describe its limits, mark a meeting place, draw a boundary or upload a map. Check the area yourself before play: a drawn boundary is guidance, not a physical barrier or a way to track children.
Check every task before the lesson
Walk through the actual space. Are red leaves available today? Can a triangle be photographed safely? Replace seasonal or inaccessible objects. Keep pupils away from roads, private rooms, screens and named student work. The creator remains responsible for supervision and suitability.
Use small teams and a clear finish
One person starts each team and shares the team code or QR invitation. Teams can complete a sequence or choose missions in any order. Decide in advance who carries the phone, how children stay together and when they return. Public team results can be turned off; use group nicknames rather than pupil names.
Questions before you start
Can the school templates be edited?
Yes. A template creates a private draft. Change tasks, wording and the play area to suit the class, then review and publish it.
Do pupils need creator accounts?
No. Creator accounts are for building and publishing. Players join a team through the browser using its invitation or code. Follow your school’s device and participation policies.
Do we have to photograph children?
No. These starter activities focus on objects, colours and shapes. Avoid pupils and bystanders in photos, and follow school consent requirements for any images of people.
Is a printed version available?
Published hunts have a printable booklet. Paper play can reduce screen time, but does not provide browser-based automatic checking or shared progress.