Hunt for Them Bikes
Organize a neighborhood bike scavenger hunt: follow clues to marked locations, ride safely, record finds, and practice map reading, navigation, and teamwork.
Step-by-step guide to Hunt for Them Bikes
Step 1
Gather all materials and put them in your backpack.
Step 2
Put on your helmet before you touch your bike.
Step 3
With an adult decide safe boundaries and how many checkpoints you will use.
Step 4
Use the map and pencil to mark a starting point and choose 4 to 8 checkpoint locations inside the boundaries.
Step 5
Write one clear clue on each separate clue card to lead teams from one checkpoint to the next.
Step 6
With an adult place a removable sticker or token at each checkpoint and leave the clue card where teams will find it.
Step 7
Write team roles in your notebook such as navigator rider and recorder.
Step 8
Start at the starting point and read the first clue aloud to your team.
Step 9
Ride safely to the checkpoint following traffic rules and stopping at intersections.
Step 10
Find the sticker or token at the checkpoint and mark it as found in your notebook.
Step 11
Use the map to check your current position and draw a quick arrow showing the direction you traveled.
Step 12
Read the next clue at each checkpoint then repeat riding and recording until all checkpoints are found.
Step 13
Remove all stickers or tokens you placed and put them back in your backpack so nothing is left behind.
Step 14
Meet with your team and talk about what you learned about maps navigation and teamwork.
Step 15
Share your finished scavenger hunt and what you discovered on DIY.org.
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find removable stickers or small tokens mentioned for placing at checkpoints?
If you can't find removable stickers or tokens, use clothespins, laminated paper tags tucked under a rock, or brightly colored ribbon tied to a branch and note it in your backpack per the 'With an adult place a removable sticker or token at each checkpoint' step.
What should we do if teams can't find a checkpoint or the clue card gets blown away?
If a checkpoint is missing or a clue card is gone, retrace your position on the map, check likely hiding spots where you 'placed a removable sticker or token at each checkpoint,' keep spare clue copies in the backpack, and have the adult re-check boundaries before continuing.
How can we adapt the Hunt for Them Bikes for younger or older children?
For younger kids use 2–4 nearby checkpoints, picture clues, and an adult walking bikes, while older kids can do 6–8 checkpoints, longer routes, timed legs, and more complex written clues as you 'choose 4 to 8 checkpoint locations' and 'write one clear clue on each separate clue card.'
How can we enhance or personalize the scavenger hunt beyond the basic instructions?
Add a points system for each 'found' sticker, require a quick photo or a notebook data note at each checkpoint, create a theme for clues, and then share your scored route and discoveries on DIY.org as the final step suggests.
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Facts about bicycle safety and navigation for kids
🚴 Bicycles became a popular way to explore neighborhoods in the 19th century and are still one of the most fun ways to get around!
🗺️ Orienteering started as a sport in Sweden and teaches you to use maps and compasses to find checkpoints.
🧭 Good map-reading skills help you spot landmarks, plan routes, and navigate even without a phone.
👀 Scavenger hunts sharpen observation and teamwork—groups that communicate usually find clues faster.
⛑️ Wearing a helmet and following bike-safety rules can prevent many injuries during rides and hunts.
How do I organize a neighborhood "Hunt for Them Bikes" scavenger hunt?
What materials do I need for a neighborhood bike scavenger hunt?
What ages is a neighborhood bike scavenger hunt suitable for?
What safety rules should we follow for a bike scavenger hunt?
