Fossil Hunt
A fossil hunt is a simple and exciting party game where kids search for hidden fossils, or fossil blocks around the party space.
Activity Overview
Searching/Hunt Game
Best For: Age 3+
Time: 15-25 Minutes
Hide fossil blocks or fossils: Hide the fossil blocks and /or fossils around the party space. If using fossil blocks, make sure there is at least one for each child and let the children know that they are only allowed to find one. If using fossils, they can be spread throughout letting children collect plenty. Let them know what the boundaries are to make the search easier.
Kids search together for the hidden fossil blocks and/or fossils. Once all the fossil blocks are collected, let everyone take one home to uncover on their own, OR make it an activity of its own and let everyone dig their fossil out at the party.
If collecting fossils, let the kids keep the fossils in their drawstring bag as a party favor.
Advanced Teamwork Twist
To add excitement and cooperation, introduce a weight goal. If you have a small kitchen scale, weigh the total amount of fossils before hiding them. Once the fossils are scattered, tell the children they need to collect enough fossils to reach a specific weight, such as six ounces. Children can run back and forth adding fossils to the scale, checking progress, and celebrating together as they reach the goal. They can divvy up the fossils as a party favor as well.
Competitive Challenge:
See who can find the most fossils and have a small prize for the winner.
Helpful Hosting Tips
For ages 2–4, use larger items and obvious hiding spots to keep frustration low
For ages 6–9, use smaller items or trickier placements to increase the challenge
Optional Ways to Elevate Your Party
Add a short story before the hunt to turn this activity into a magical quest kids will remember.
