Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt

Purpose:  This hands-on activity gets learners up and moving as they practice vocabulary

Preparation Time:  5 minutes

Materials Needed:  a list of scavenger hunt prompts

One-on One Procedure:

1. Tell the learner that you are going to practice vocabulary. Show the learner the list of prompts (through sharing your screen on Zoom or Google Meet, or showing the list with your phone camera on a video call).
2. Say one of the scavenger hunt prompts, e.g. I need to find something that is blue. Walk around the room with your camera, showing different items and doing a think aloud. Is this pillow blue? No, it’s brown. Is this rug blue? No, it’s red. Is this picture blue? Yes, I see the color blue! After you find an item, cross it off on the list of prompts.
3. Say another prompt and involve the learner in helping you find it. I need to find something green. Is this green? You’re right, it’s yellow. Is that green? You’re right, it’s blue. What do you see that is green? Can you tell me the name? After you and the learner find an item, cross it off on the list of prompts.
4. Say a prompt to the learner. You need to find something red. Ask the learners to find an item, and show it with their camera. Cross the prompt off the list.
5. Continue until items have been found for all of the prompts on the list.

Prompt Suggestions:

• Colors (blue, red, brown, black, tan, green, white, etc.)
• Adjectives (big, small, old, young, round, square, tall, short, beautiful, etc.)
• Phonics (something that starts with.../b/, /ch/, /t/, /s/, etc.)
• Food categories (vegetables, fruits, grains, spices, drinks, etc.)
• Emotions (something that makes you happy, tired, bored, hungry, excited, etc.)
• Clothes (shoes, dress, skirt, shirt, pants, socks, etc.)
• Furniture (couch, chair, table, rug, light, TV, sink, etc.)

Modification for a Group: For a larger group, have learners take turns finding items. You can also have learners find items, and then briefly share what the item is and why they chose it.

Modification for higher level learners: Give a category, and then have the learners brainstorm a list of prompts.

Additional Suggestions: You can also use this game as a fun way to keep learners engaged throughout the week. Send out a prompt using a text message or WhatsApp, and have the learner/s send you a picture of an item that fits the description. To practice writing, have them write a label on their picture before they send it. To practice speaking, have them record a short video talking about their item.   

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Photo by Marten Newhall on Unsplash