A fall twist on the classic egg hunt that kids will love!

When you think of hunting for hidden treasures, your mind probably goes straight to Easter. But who says we can’t bring the fun into fall? A Backyard Pumpkin Hunt is a super simple, super fun activity that brings together the best parts of Halloween and autumn play. This fun activity will get the kids moving, giggling, and outside in the crisp fall air – just like camp!

What You’ll Need

You can go simple or themed. It’s up to you! Here’s a starter list:

Mini pumpkins or alternatives:

• Real mini pumpkins

• Plastic or foam pumpkins 

• Orange plastic eggs or containers

• Painted or decorated rocks as “pumpkins” for a DIY spin

Treats or surprises (optional):

• Halloween stickers or erasers

• Temporary tattoos or glow sticks

• Small toys or trinkets

• Candy (wrapped) or fall trail mix pouches

• Puzzle pieces or clues (great for older kids)

Other supplies:

• Baskets, buckets, or paper bags for collecting

• Optional: Halloween music or spooky sound effects for ambiance

 

How to Set It Up

#1 Choose your hunting ground
Use your backyard, a nearby park, or even your living room if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

#2 Hide the pumpkins (or pumpkin stand-ins)
Tuck them behind trees, under leaves, on low branches, or in easy-to-reach spots depending on the age group. For older kids, make it trickier!

#3 Set the scene
Add a little ambiance with Halloween music, a “Pumpkin Patch Hunt” sign, and maybe even a costumed helper or two.

#4 Let the hunt begin!
Hand out bags or baskets, count them down, and let them explore. You can make it free-for-all style or turn it into a scavenger hunt by giving clues or assigning kids to find specific colors, numbers, or types.

 

Variations to Try

#1 Glow-in-the-Dark Hunt (for dusk or night!)
Use glow sticks inside plastic pumpkins or paint them with glow-in-the-dark paint.

#2 Camp-Themed Hunt
Hide little “camp badges” or nature treasures like pinecones, mini flashlights, or trail mix prizes in addition to the pumpkins.

#3 Color-Coded Teams
Great for large groups: assign each child a color and let them only collect “their” pumpkins.

A Backyard Pumpkin Hunt is one of those rare activities that’s simple, fun, and unforgettable. There are no screens, no stress, just classic play with a seasonal twist. Whether your kids are little pumpkin lovers or growing campers, they’ll love the chance to run, search, and explore like it’s Halloween morning.