Ten Commandments Scavenger Hunt Game: FREE Printable

This Ten Commandments scavenger hunt game for kids is fun and educational. Looking for a fun way to teach your kids the Ten Commandments? Do you want your children to get excited about learning God’s Word? Looking for fun Shavuot activities (or wondering what in the world Shavuot is)? If so, you’re in the right spot. Here I’ll share with you a fun 10 Commandments game that kids of all ages will love. With just a couple of simple tweaks, you can make the game work for your children’s ages. This game is perfect if you’re looking for Shavuot (Pentecost) activities or rainy-day Bible games.

10 Commandments Simple Version

When it comes to teaching kids, I firmly believe in a simple, hands-on approach. So what’s a mom to do with all of the “thou shall and shalt nots” that can make the Ten Commandments seem like another language to kids? Try this simple version of the Ten Commandments. My toddler was able to memorize them with this method because of its simplicity. And, confession: I, a full-grown adult, am better able to remember them too!

Here is a simple version of the 10 Commandments for kids:

1. One God
2. No Idols
3. Watch Your Words
4. Rest on the Sabbath
5. Honor Your Father and Mother
6. Do Not Murder
7. One Man, One Woman
8. Do Not Steal
9. Do Not Lie
10. Do Not Covet

How to Teach the 10 Commandments in a Fun Way

Now that we have a simplified version of the Ten Commandments in place, how should we go about teaching them to our kids? This is the fun part because there are a million-and-one ways to teach the Ten Commandments in a fun way! In this article, we will focus on a Ten Commandments scavenger hunt game for kids. As a former preschool teacher, I can attest to the power of the humble scavenger hunt. I don’t know what it is, but kids absolutely love them!

Here’s how to lead the Ten Commandments scavenger hunt: First, you can access the free printables required for this game by clicking on the buttons at the bottom of this article. You only need one set of each download. Next, cut apart the scavenger hunt clues and Bible verses/Commandments. Feel free to get all fancy pants with this part of the activity prep if you’d like to reuse this game in the future. You can have your kids color the printouts, laminate them, and so forth. Me? I just printed mine on plain ole computer paper, cut them out in a relatively sloppy manner, and called it a day. Because Mama’s got things to do. But, you do you, friend!

Ten Commandments Activity for Kids: How to Play

Grab your answer key because now it’s time to think about where you will hide your clues and Commandments. I created each clue to be hidden in generic locations that most people have in their homes, such as under a chair, behind a door, etc. Pull out the first clue that reads, “Look up, look down, look everywhere. You’ll find the 1st Commandment underneath a _______.” This is the only clue that will not be hidden as it is the initial clue that will kick off the scavenger hunt.

Next, place the 1st Commandment/Bible verse cut out with the 2nd Commandment clue cutout. You will then pair the 2nd Commandment/Bible verse with the 3rd Commandment clue cutout (see picture below). You will repeat this pattern for the remaining Commandment/Bible verse and clue cutouts. That way, every time a child discovers a Commandment they will also find their next clue to keep the game going. I folded the two cutouts together and wrote the number order on the outside to help me keep things on track. For example, I wrote “#1” on the outside of the first clue, “#2” on the outside of the second Commandment/Bible verse and clue cutouts, and so forth.

10 Commandments Game Printable

Next, I placed each clue in the proper location according to the answer key. For example, I folded the 1st Commandment/Bible Verse cut out and the “find Commandment #2 clue” cutout together and taped it under a dining chair. As a side note, painter’s tape works great for this activity. Again, numbering the outside of your cutouts will come in handy in the event that a child discovers a Commandment/clue out of order. If this happens, tell the child that they can come back to that one when the time is right.

After you have placed all of your printable cutouts in their proper locations you are ready to start the game. You may either read the first clue or have your child read it, depending on their age and abilities in this area. Then they are off to the races! They will love figuring out and finding the clues. The great thing about this Ten Commandments game is that it can be played by a single child or a whole group of children. You can also tailor it to fit the ages of the children who are playing. Read the clues out loud and place them in plain sight for young children. For older kids, have them read the clues and place them in not-so-obvious hiding spots.

Ten Commandments Scavenger Hunt Game Printable Activities

My 3-year-old daughter had a blast playing this Ten Commandments scavenger hunt game for kids. She let out a big squeal every time she located a new clue and begged me to play the game again. The best part is that the game reinforced her knowledge of the 10 Commandments. Each time she found a new clue we talked about the Commandment and read the corresponding Bible verse. My prayer is that this knowledge will go straight to her heart and take root. Just like a tiny seed is planted in the soil, this mama’s heart longs to see seeds like these grow and bear much fruit for the Father’s glory.

I love creating games and activities that teach children about God’s Word. If you’d like more free printable games that teach kids about the Ten Commandments, be sure to check out my Ten Commandments Match Game and Ten Commandments bingo. My kids have been having a blast playing these Bible games!

Ten Commandments for Children

Kids of all ages are capable of learning the Ten Commandments. The key to teaching them effectively is to customize how you teach them according to their ages and abilities, as we previously discussed in this article. Mama, you know your sweet kiddos better than anyone else. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your words and actions as you teach your children from the Scriptures. Be confident in the fact that He will bless you for striving to “teach them diligently” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). You are an amazing mama. How do I know? Because you wouldn’t be reading an article about teaching the Ten Commandments if you weren’t!

Ten Commandments Scavenger Hunt Game: Shavuot Activity

While we should be teaching our children about the Ten Commandments and the rest of Yahweh’s Word year-round, Shavuot is a wonderful time to focus on the giving of the Torah and the Holy Spirit. The Father has given us the wonderful gift of His appointed times as a joy to celebrate and to focus our hearts and minds on Him. Our children are watching how we choose to participate in the Biblical Feasts, and Shavuot is no exception.

I encourage you to make this Shavuot one that is special to your children and reaches into the nooks and crannies of their hearts with Yahweh’s love. Don’t worry–there is no pressure for extravagant decorations, food, and activities. It’s the simple things that touch the hearts of our children. What our kiddos will remember most is how Mama and Daddy loved them with time and pointing them toward the Father’s heart.

10 Commandments Scavenger Hunt Game for Children

Finally, have a conversation about the Commandments. Ask your children open-ended questions about what they mean. Their answers may surprise and inspire you. Communication is key when it comes to teaching our children from Yahweh’s Word. The more comfortable we are discussing the Scriptures with our kiddos, the more comfortable they will be when they need to talk about spiritual things. And that’s exactly what we’re going for. Our family enjoys this activity during the Shavuot season, and we also have fun playing this game occasionally on the Sabbath Day. I hope that this game is a blessing to your family and that your children find much joy in playing it!