Fun & Games: Drama Class Scavenger Hunt

Distance Learning Note: This blog post is written for an in-class scavenger hunt. But, this is an activity that can easily be adapted for distance learning. Students can work independently to get as many items as they can in a certain time frame. Perhaps they pull family members in to complete the tasks! You’ll have to make sure your scavenger list works for an at home situation. If you want to do this scavenger hunt as a group project, divide students into virtual groups and then have the groups discuss (e.g. through Zoom) and divide up the tasks. If you do this as a group project, I’d suggest providing a shorter time limit. Have them working and executing on the project quickly!

In the download for this post you can find an in-class scavenger hunt list and an example of an adapted at home scavenger hunt list. 

A drama class scavenger hunt requires creative thinking, decision making, teamwork, and time management. Students will work in small groups to earn as many points from the scavenger list as possible within a certain time frame. Students won’t be able to complete every item on the scavenger hunt list; they’ll need to come up with a plan and make quick decisions as a group. Will they complete a bunch of easy tasks that are worth fewer points, or go for a more challenging task worth more points?

The scavenger lists will combine items to find as well as tasks to complete. Sometimes students will need to take photos or videos for proof that the task was completed. All tasks should be related to drama or theatre, of course!

Materials Needed (one for each group):

• A scavenger list (You can create your own, or see below for a free list. If you create your own, you’ll need to come up with more tasks than your students will be able to complete in the allotted time.)
• A smartphone or digital camera to take photos and videos (students will most likely have their own)
• A bag to hold items
• A pen or pencil
• (Optional) A projector that can connect to the phones/cameras to show the photos to the rest of the class

Instructions:

1. Before starting the scavenger hunt, determine whether students will be allowed to go outside the drama classroom for their tasks, or if they must stay in the classroom. If necessary, obtain permission from the principal and make proper arrangements for students to be out of the classroom, such as arranging for hall passes and being able to connect to students digitally to give them a five minute warning.
2. Divide students into groups of 4-6.
3. Give each group a scavenger list.
4. Set a time limit for groups to hunt. Remember to allow travel time back to the drama classroom (if necessary) as well as time for groups to tally up their points and/or show their photos.
5. Set your students loose!
6. If they’re out of the classroom send your students a five minute warning for when they need to return to the drama classroom to share their findings and tally up their points. 
7. If you wish, you can assign bonus points for completing the entire list or making it back before time runs out.

The best scavenger lists have a variety of easy, difficult, funny and serious tasks. Some of the tasks will require students to bring back an item. Some might require students to look something up online. Some tasks will challenge students to think creatively about how to interpret the requirement, and some will require students to figure out a theatrical reference. Some tasks are just silly!

If you wish, students can complete a reflection afterwards, using the following questions:

• What was the easiest part of today’s exercise? The most difficult?
• How were you an effective group member today?
• How can this exercise be applied to the real world?