Growing up I spent a lot of time in hockey arenas. I always enjoyed watching the games, but as a kid I also loved running around the arena with other kids not on the ice. As an adult, I know it can be challenging to keep younger kids entertained during long hours at the rink. I created this Hockey Rink Scavenger Hunt free printable to use at your next hockey outing!

Who doesn’t love a great scavenger hunt? There are countless ways to use this scavenger hunt! After visiting the arena on the weekend for a tournament, I noticed many children running around playing in the arena while parents watched the game. They were having a blast together, and I thought about how well a scavenger hunt would work with this group.

Send younger siblings on an adventure while you watch the game, or entertain players between games. This hockey rink scavenger hunt is also a great way to keep players thinking about hockey with the added bit of competition, between games or at a tournament.

The scavenger hunt can be used at any arena. From a busy multi rink venue, to the local arena. If you spend a lot of time in hockey arenas, you’re going to love this free activity!

If you’re looking for even more scavenger hunts, check out 37+ Best Free Printable Scavenger Hunts for year round fun! For more hands-on fun try a Pass the Parcel Game perfect for parties and groups.

If you are looking for even more engaging activities to keep your time at the rink exciting, check out the Best Hockey BINGO Game. It’s also free from Hands-On Teaching Ideas.

Hockey Rink Scavenger Hunt Materials

The scavenger hunt doesn’t require any set up or prep work. All you need is a copy of the checklist page and a marker or pencil. The page is available in black and white and color.

You can print a copy of the page for each child doing the hunt, or a few children can work together to complete a page.

If you plan to use the hockey scavenger hunt with multiple children or on several different occasions, laminating the sheet is a great way to reuse it. Use dry erase markers for kids to check off each item after they find it.

Hockey Arena Game

You can set up the game by putting the scavenger hunt on a clipboard, or keep it simple and just give the kids the sheet. Once they have the checklist, they can find each item by searching around the hockey arena and checking each item off as they find it.

When doing the hunt, players don’t have to find the items in the order listed on the page. Some of the items, such as the Zamboni may not be visible right away. Children may have to wait for certain items before completing their scavenger hunt.

You can add to the competition by putting a time limit on completing the hunt. You can also give a prize to the first child, or group that completes their hunt. This is a great way to keep younger siblings and other children busy while you watch the game!

Make sure to set some rules so kids know where they can, and cannot search. Some areas will be out of bounds at the arena.

The hunt was created to be played at virtually any hockey rink; however, if there is one, or more of the items on the list that you know will not be present at your hockey game, make sure to scratch it off before children begin.

This free game works well to play in groups. If you have a break between games, divide kids into small groups and give a copy of the hunt to each group. Children can work as a team to search and find each of the items. It can be used as a great team builder activity and it’s screen-free fun!

Scavenger hunts are a great way to make kids more aware of their surrounding and where things are located. They may also notice things that they never have before.

Hockey Rink Scavenger Hunt Extension Ideas

If you want to extend the scavenger hunt, or keep kids accountable, if players have a cell phone, encourage them to take a photo of each of the items on the list when they find it. Once they feel that they have completed the scavenger hunt, they will show the photos to the adult running the activity before officially completing the game.

You can choose how strict you want to be with each of the items. For example, players have to find a jersey with the number 9, but you can decide if it can be number 19, 99 or any number that had a 9 as a digit.

If you want to add to the activity, you can add a special clue, or prize with one of the specific items. For example, you can have someone wear a very large, and noticeable red hat in the arena. When players run to the person, they get a small prize. (This can be somewhat challenging to play though because there may be several people at the arena with a red hat.)

Players could be told that if they find the ‘special’ item then they get a prize. If they have to take photos, then when showing the photos, if they snapped the special item, they get a bonus.

If you’re heading to a hockey tournament, make sure to print some copies to have on hand!

Download the Free Scavenger Hunt

Join Hands-On Teaching Ideas, for free, and download the Hockey Rink Scavenger Hunt. Click the grey lock box below and subscribe through Grow. Once you subscribe, the hockey rink scavenger hunt will download right away. You can print as many copies as you wish in black and white or color.

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