Recovery Space Mission Scavenger Hunt!

Embark on an Epic Space Adventure!

The kids listen to a story filled with clues to find and recover lost items spread throughout the galaxy as a result of an explosion! In addition, this super fun activity serves as both party favors, prizes, and party décor. Most importantly, this is a memorable group activity where the “missions” can be done in one block or spread throughout the span of the party as you choose. Further, the hidden treasures enhance the party excitement! Prizes are concealed within small containers strategically placed around the party area, and marked with a themed symbol. At each location, every child can collect a prize from the container – how clever – party favors that double as an activity!

To begin, explain the activity to the children. In addition, clarify the boundaries of the “galaxy” and areas that are off-limits for the scavenger hunt. And then explain, whenever the kids discover an item the astronauts are seeking, they earn a prize from the container.

For instance, you have the option to place distinct prizes in each container, or allow them to choose a prize they haven’t acquired yet, ensuring a diverse range of rewards for everyone. For younger children, additional hints can be provided to guide them toward the correct locations.

After the prizes are concealed, begin with this brief narrative and then provide clues to aid your young explorers in completing missions and winning prizes!

A drowsy alien named Zeek was zooming through space when a collision with a moon base triggered a massive explosion. As a result, the explosion scattered the astronauts’ belongings across the galaxy! Of course, the vastness of the galaxy means it will take them years to search through planets and stars to recover their items. But fear not, for your assistance can make a difference!

First thing to remember, is that your mission involves listening to the provided clues and scouring the galaxy to locate the missing items. With each found item, you’re one step closer to becoming the heroes of the universe. Will you accept the challenge? Will you restore order to the galaxy by recovering the lost treasures? The cosmos awaits—gather your fellow adventurers, carefully listen to the clues, and let the scavenger hunt begin!

1st Mission

Find the Astronauts’ Special Space Cup, which has a red star on it.

Supplies Needed:

  • 1 prize container: a cup with a red star
  • Mini party favors: aliens, astronauts, balls, etc. (enough for each child)
  • Star stickers, cutouts, or DIY your own with construction paper – red and other colors
  • Glue dots or transparent tape

Hiding Place:
Kitchen Cabinet

Instructions:

To begin with, cut at least 12 different-colored stars out of construction paper or material of your choice.

Specifically, make only 2 red stars.

Afterward, tape one red star to a paper or plastic cup and add mini party favors.

Now that is done, tape 3 or 4 stars to several kitchen cabinet doors, and then add the red star to the cabinet door where you place the prize cup. Remember, for the purpose of concealment, many cabinets will have stars on them, but only one will have a red star.

Story Clue for the Kids:

Amazingly Zeek, a friendly alien from the planet Jupiter, saw the astronauts’ special cup with a red star on it, being swept into a black hole.  Of course, a blackhole is a mysterious place where all of a sudden things vanish. Unfortunately, after that Zeek lost track of the black hole’s location as he continued on his way.

And then, he remembered a key detail – this unusual black hole has numerous doors, each featuring colorful stars. In addition, Zeek also knows that this unique black hole isn’t used for cleaning space clothes or ships; rather, it washes away other objects.

Certainly the astronauts are in urgent need of their space cup with the red star, because they rely upon it in their rocket to prevent water from floating away in the vacuum of space! Therefore, your mission is clear: In order to locate the blackhole, search for the area containing many doors covered with stars. After that, find the only door that has a red star and then open the door to find the astronauts’ important cup. Surely your reward will be inside!

2nd Mission

Find the Missing “Moon Rocks”

Supplies Needed:

Instructions:

First, craft a bunch of cool “moon rocks” and discreetly scatter them outdoors. Refer to our blog post about moon rocks for crafting instructions.

Afterwards, conceal them in spots that aren’t overly conspicuous, like beneath a bush, amidst flowers, or nestled within grass or rocks.

With this in mind, tailor the level of difficulty to the children’s age for an appropriately challenging or achievable search.

Story Clue for the Kids:
Jibby, another helpful alien, had heard the astronauts were looking for some special moon rocks, which they had worked so hard to collect for study. But they couldn’t find the rocks anywhere. In the hope of being helpful, Jibby shared that the rocks whizzed past his flying saucer and ended up on the grounds somewhere outside the astronaut lab.  Now, your mission is to go outside and find the special moon rocks so the astronauts can study them and find out what surprises are  inside! Remember, these rocks are lightweight, silver, and shine in the light. Now off you go!

3rd Mission

Find the Alien’s Missing Space Bag

Supplies Needed:

Hiding Place:
Behind a pillow or blanket on a couch.

Instructions:

To begin, Cut out two alien heads from construction paper or your chosen material.

Next, add a pair of large, distinctive alien eyes to each head.

In order to create the alien’s “special bag”, tape or glue one alien head onto a small paper or plastic bag and fill it with party favors. 

Now that it’s ready, conceal the bag behind a pillow or blanket on the couch, or tuck it under the couch.

Finally, tape or hang an alien head on the wall directly above the hiding spot as a clue for the kids.

While it’s fun to DIY stuff, check out the Green Alien Toppers that can save time – remove the stick and affix the alien head to the bag and be done!

Story Clue for the Kids:

TaeTaez the sleepy alien, lost his space bag in the explosion. As he explained to the astronauts, he shared that the bag had special things in it, which he needed to play with during his long trip back home. In addition, after searching and searching for the last 2 days, he was still sad because he didn’t find his lost bag. All of a sudden, TaeTaez remembered that he was visiting the astronauts when he last had his bag. Picture him seated in a cozy place within the moonbase, a spot not designed for sleep, but rather where people come together to gather and sit. Your mission, young adventurers, is to find the very place where TaeTaez was sitting and find his bag with the alien picture on it. 

4th Mission

Find the Astronaut’s Friends

Supplies Needed:

Hiding Place:
 In the party area on a table or counter, placed as a decoration (hide in plain sight!).

Instructions:

First, decide where to place the container since you’ll be placing pieces around the container to create a scene involving a glass makeshift “shelter” for the astronauts. Place the container near the cake, on the food table, or any place in the party space where it is easily visible and adds to the party décor. Once that’s done, arrange free standing astronaut figures and moon rocks in, on, and around the container so the figures appear to be in a happy group. Use tape or glue dots to hold pieces in place as needed, and then, adhere two or three astronaut figures to the outside of the container so it appears they are floating in space. Now you are ready for game time!

Story Clue For Kids:

The astronauts were looking for the rest of their crew.  First, they searched out among the stars in the galaxy, but they were not there. In the meantime, another group of crewmembers searched all over outside the moon base, but they couldn’t find their missing crew members either. And, then, their alien friends said they saw the missing astronauts safe and all together having fun near a glass or ice shelter. It looked like some were floating in search of a way back home. Your mission, find the group of astronauts and bring them back to Moonbase 1.

You get the concept!

Create your own narratives and clues that match your party theme/environment, containers, and hiding spots. Feel free to artistically arrange the figures as your imagination dictates.

The possibilities are boundless! Embrace the creative journey, and watch as your young celestial visitors partake in a thrilling quest, completing their party missions and reaping well-deserved rewards.