Father's Day Scavenger Hunt

When we talk about homeschooling, the topic of homeschooling moms comes up frequently. Dads, however, often do not get the recognition they deserve for all they do in our homeschools. 

Whether dad jumps in to help with math, joins you on field trips, or simply works hard so you have the flexibility to homeschool, they are an important part of the process. 

As we were approaching Father's Day, I wanted to do something extra special to celebrate my husband. I wanted more than just a store-bought gift and a little more original than a handprint painting from the kids (which he saves and adores). 

This year, I decided we would do a special painted rock scavenger hunt to celebrate him! This project gives the children a chance to express their creativity while practicing writing skills and critical thinking skills. 

It is also an opportunity for them to express all of the reasons they love and appreciate him. 

Take every chance you can to help your children think of others - and articulate those thoughts. This training pays off!

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Materials Needed

Smooth Rocks

Paint Pens

Paper

Depending on where you live, you might be able to go outside and collect some small rocks/stones to use for your scavenger hunt. You can also, however, purchase them online or from your local craft store. 

We live in a very sandy area where rocks are more difficult to find and I like to keep things simple, so we ordered our rocks. 

You can use a variety of things to decorate the rocks, including regular markers. However, if you want the painting to last and be a little more durable, I recommend using oil-based paint pens. 

(This rock painting kit is super simple - comes with everything you need. Something like this allows your kids to get creative beyond their gifts for dad.)

Rock Painting Directions 

My older children decorated rocks on their own and then added a word on each rock to describe their dad. For example, my daughter chose to use the words CARING and LOVING on two of the rocks she decorated.

For younger children, like my son, they can decorate the rocks and then an adult or older sibling can help them write the word or words that they choose. 

Note: The paint pens will stain and are hard to get off of surfaces so I recommend doing this outside or on a plastic disposable table cloth. We always try to keep a few extra disposable table cloths around for messy art projects. We can purchase them for $1 and they do a great job at protecting the furniture and making the mess easier to clean up. 

Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Next, it is time to plan the scavenger hunt! If you have children that are old enough to read and write, this is a great way for them to have fun and practice those writing skills. 

Step One:

Decide where you want to hide each rock.

Step Two:

Create a clue that you can put with each rock that will lead to the next rock. Depending on your children's ages this could be super simple or a little more creative. 

For example, it might be as simple as, "where we wash the dishes" for a rock that is near the kitchen sink. However, for more of a challenge the clue could be, " I am something that has a plug but there’s no electricity." 

If they need help coming up with clues, there are lots of ideas online. We found some great ones here. 

You will also need one clue that is not attached to a rock to start the hunt. This clue will lead to the first rock.

Step Three:

Decide how you want to end your scavenger hunt. The fun-painted rocks could be the purpose of the hunt or you could have something else to be found at the end of the hunt. 

That could a favorite treat, a yummy meal, or a fun Father's Day gift. (If you are like me and sometimes struggle to come up with good gift ideas, be sure to check out the fun suggestions below. ) 

Step Four:

Once your rocks are painted, your clues are written, and your ending is decided it is time to have fun! Have the children give dad the first clue and let the games begin! 

Not only will dad get the benefit of seeing all the wonderful things the children had to say about him, but the scavenger hunt itself can be a great family memory! The painted rocks can be saved to use as decorations on a desk or bookshelf as a daily reminder of your love and appreciation. 

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Below are a few Father’s Day gifts recommended by Mary.

Tshirts, books, kitchen gadgets, and massagers are always popular - these suggestions will just get you thinking.

It’s most important the father in your life feel esteemed, cherished, and LOVED on this Father’s Day!

Star Wars Yoda Best Dad Ever Graphic T-Shirt C1Daddy Shark Shirt, Gift For Dad T-ShirtLED Flashlight Gloves, Men's Gifts for Dad Husband On Fathers Day Birthday, Cool Tool Gadgets for Mechanics Car Guys, Fishing Camping Lighted Gloves Unique Gifts for Men WomenShiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Soothing Heat, Nekteck Electric Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Massage Pillow for Shoulder, Leg, Body Muscle Pain Relief, Home, Office, and Car UsePresto 03512 Stuffler Stuffed Waffle Maker, BelgianElectric Candle Lighter USB Rechargeable Plasma Lighters Arc Windproof Flameless Lighter with Safe Button for Grill Camping, Barbecue, Cooking, FireworksCuisinart Deluxe Grill Set, 20-Piece, CGS-5020, Stainless SteelGood Luck Sock Men's Super Dad, Father's Day Socks - Blue, Adult Shoe Size 7-12A Perfect Father's DayMy DadI Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar (The World of Eric Carle)Celebrate Your Father Daughter Bond with this Special Father's Day Book and Gift for Dad!My Dad Loves Me!: A Cute New Dad or Father's Day Gift (Baby Shower Gifts for Dads) (Marianne Richmond)Midnight Dad Devotional: 100 Devotions and Prayers to Connect Dads Just Like You to the FatherHero: Being the Strong Father Your Children Need

Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of four. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family. Some of her favorite parts of homeschooling are hymn studies, living history, and read alouds. She and her children also enjoy incorporating food into their studies as often as possible.

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Do you have a special way you honor the fathers in your life on Father’s Day?

Leave me a comment below - I’d love to hear about it!

You might also like:

5 Lessons From My Dad

Favorite Middle Grades Books

5 Favorite Homeschool Activities

Sometimes (ok, maybe a lot of the time) when you're in the homeschool trenches the last thing you are thinking is, "Gosh, are my kids having fun with their schoolwork today?"

I'm just being honest.

There were MANY a day when I just wanted to get through. We needed to do that math lesson, complete the history lesson, and check off the almighty boxes.

Who's with me?

Every now and then, however, I was reminded of this precious, important fact: homeschool is about the relationships. It is about wonder. It is about discovery. It is about FUN.

As I compiled this list I noticed each activity had something in common: none of them were part of a set "curriculum" we had been using. They were all interest led tangents (maybe related to something in our curriculum) where I simply followed my children's lead. If you give a child something to sink their teeth into I believe they will naturally want MORE.

It is in those moments that the real learning occurs, and in our homeschool it was where sweet memories were made.

As I asked my teens about this the other day, I asked them to tell me their FAVORITE things we'd done in our homeschool. Not only did this exercise do my heart good, but it motivated me to KEEP making those memories - and not to lose the wonder just because they are now teens.

I hope you can use a few of these in your own homeschool!

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THUMBPRINT ART

 All of the Ed Emberley art books have been a hit in our homeschool.

For some reason, however, the thumbprint drawing book was the favorite. (My kids STILL get this one out to use!)

Maybe it was the HUGE stamp pad I let them get, or maybe it was the fact that I could just leave them alone for several HOURS and they were completely happy. Whatever the case, I recommend having this activity on hand for a rainy day or when your day is going south and you just want to SALVAGE what's left of it!

(I'm so glad I've blogged through most of our homeschool journey because I have tons of cute pictures like this one!)

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MAGNETIC SLIME

This activity had A LOT of educational value, plus it was just super fun. 

When were studying the Periodic Table this was one of those things that was sitting on my Pinterest board to try... I RARELY try things from Pinterest, but this time I wanted to be the FUN MOM. 

(I also think the Periodic Table Tiles I purchased were a HUGE hit - which my oldest is even using in Chemistry right now - a great investment.)

What I love about this was that we learned all about the Periodic Table first, and then used this as our culmination activity. 

(And then of course we went down the magnet rabbit trail, which led to another rabbit trail, etc..., etc...  You get the point!)

Science seems to lend itself to so many hands on activities, doesn't it?

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CANDY SHOP MATH

We literally opened a candy shop for one afternoon. I invited a few of our neighbor kids to come over after school and told them they didn't have to bring any money (we handed out play money at the door). 

It was a fabulous exercise in customer service, counting money, making change, and so much more!

Use these simple candy money cards and have fun! 

We followed up with some books about money and more activities making change, etc... There is so much you can do with a play cash register and play money!

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THE STORY ABOUT PING

Every book we read with Five in a Row proved to be a treasured memory. One of the selections that most stuck out to my children was The Story About Ping. 

Looking back, I think it was the special time we took to GET OUTSIDE and learn that stuck with my kids.

During one of our days rowing the book we went to a local lake and read The Story About Ping, along with some other books about ducks.  We fed the ducks, watched them PREEN themselves (preen was one of the vocabulary words from that unit which my kids will never forget the meaning of!), and drew pictures of the ducks.

We had a picnic lunch, played on the playground by the lake and just enjoyed learning. 

I just remember the sweetness that went along with this particular day - singing "5 Little Ducks" and all of the giggles. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Homeschool at its very finest, yes?

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UNIFIX CUBES

I consider it a huge success that a math activity made it into the top five of my children's homeschool memories!

God bless my sweet friend who dropped off a huge bag of Unifix Cubes she had picked up at a garage sale! 

I began to research what we could do with these things (I had no idea at first) - and then I let my very creative third grader take it from there. Pretty soon she was teaching her 5 year old brother addition and subtraction. He was learning math facts and she was making her math facts more automatic by "quizzing" her little brother.

Perfect.

I cannot tell you how much we used those Unifix Cubes over the years - or how many hours my kids spent "playing math" with them and our various sets of flashcards. 

Sometimes you just need to leave your children alone and they come up with the very best activities.

(Don't even get me going on the world of Unifix Cubes and activities - we could get lost in it for days!)

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I'd love to hear about a favorite homeschool activity your children remember. 

Ask them, and then leave me a comment about their answers!