I am having my DD's 13th bday party at the mall on friday and we will be doing a scavenger hunt in the mall. I do have some ideas but could use any help you all would like to give. These are the ideas I already have;

Bring back a gum ball
Take a photo in one of those booths
Ride the Merry go round
How many flavor of ice cream does Maggie Moos have
and a few more in the works, so if anyone has done one of these or been to one what all did you do.

Thanks in advance,
Mom to my two gifts from God

Bag from a mall store, signed by an employee.
Matchbook or take out menu from a restaurant.
If there is a movie theatre, a used ticket stub.
Copy of a mall map.

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All the cool babies are wearing cloth!

A business card
application from a certain store
napkin from a store
cup from a store
get a straw

wow what a great idea.. that sounds like so much fun wish i was invited ha ha ha ha have lots of fun....

Is there an arcade in the mall? Most arcades have "redemption" games, games that pay out tickets to be turned in for prizes... have them get a ticket. I ran an arcade for many years, and at least once or twice per summer, there were kids coming in for tickets to complete their scavenger hunt list. Also, if you plan on having the kids running in and out of stores, getting some of the items previously posted, I would call a few of the stores and make sure that they are okay with it. It never bothered me to help out the kids doing scavenger hunts, but some of the other mall employees weren't very friendly about it.

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This is not exactly a scavenger hunt, but one time my daughter went with a church youth group to a mall. They were given a small amout of money and and to see what alll they could buy. For example, they went to one store and bought a bobby pin for a penny. They had to have receipts for their purchases or something written out to prove they didn't spend to much. Her favorite find was a Venus razor that got way discounted for them.

Not to rain on your parade because scavanger hunts are always fun, but you may want to check with the mall management and see if they allow things like this. My MOMS Club did a scavenger hunt at the mall and we almost got escorted out by security because they do not allow things like that. We didn't think we were doing anything wrong and we were actually pretty casual about it, but someone called security on us.

Sarah.......mom to Jason & Devin

I would worry about letting 13 yr olds run around a mall with out an adult with them.
We read about bad stuff going on at malls all the time.

I've helped out with a couple of photo scavenger hunts in malls before. When I called ahead, one mall said they were okay with us taking pictures as long as it wasn't in the stores. For individual stores, the kids were supposed to ask permission in the individual stores before taking pictures (not sure that all of them did). So, calling ahead to make sure everything is okay is probably a good idea. Instructing the kids that it's important to be polite, not disrupt others and ask permission for things is also important.

For other items that kids might get:
6 (or some other number) of unique napkins (works best if there's a food court in the mall).
6 inches of toilet paper.
A scented card/perfume sample.

I can't imagine any Mall would think this is a good idea. What is the idea behind it? As a shopper, I would hate having kids running around on a hunt and as a store manager, i would hate it even more. The Mall is made up of businesses, not a playground.

Thank you to all who gave some really good ideas,
as for the rest of the comments, I asked for ideas not negative input.
I did talk to mall security and it will not be a problem.
There will be adults with them, I am not reckless with my dd's safety.
I think that 4 groups of 3 to 4 kids will not be bugging anyone.
I do work at this mall myself and know how it can be.
It is during the day when there is not very many shoppers so that should not be a problem.

So please keep the ideas coming, I am getting there.

Shawn

That's sounds like a lot of fun. Hope I can remember about it ina few years when my dd gets to be a teenager. She would love that. You've gotten great ideas. I can't think of anything to add.

Jenn

are you going to Eastview? How about a bit of fluff from Build a Bear? a bobby pin from the hair salon? It sounds so fun! Instead of the Merry Go Round I would have them ride those little toddler go-rounds. Maybe a clothing hanger? Please post and let us know your final decisions.

Sounds FUN!! I just realized you are from Rochester! Are you going to Eastview?
How about...list the number of Kiosks...how many chairs are at Starbucks?...

Yes we are going to Eastview. You have given me some great ideas. Thank you so much.

Hi I love your idea!! I work at the Galleria in buffalo at Macys. My DD will be 11 next bd. I will keep a watch for your ideas.!! Build a bear sounds like a good idea, maybe the heart. [ you can call ahead] menu [ we have a cheesecake factory], bag from a store [macys , limited too], video game token or ticket, I will keep watch for any more ideas!! Thanks

How about a price check list...

Bunny at Build a Bear?
2 scoop cone at XX ice cream parlor?
X oz bottle of X perfume from X dept store?

This is a cute idea and sounds like a lot of fun. The winning team should get mall gift cards!

this sounds like a lot of fun.....I hope you guys have a blast!


All of the ideas sound great. I would suggest finding someone you know at a kiosks stand and have them pass out like a final clue or something..... Something like Amazing Race. Maybe the final pit stop they will stop at before the party.

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Tracy S
Mommy to 5 little girls
Victoria
Alyssa
Samantha & Selena
Malaya
Tracy_s5girls@yahoo.com