Have the children get into groups and decorate their teams bag.  Send them out into the neighborhood in their teams with their bag and list of items needed(send an adult with each team - depending on age of children)First group back after a specified time, with the most items wins!  I handed a flyer around in mailboxes prior to the hunt informing our neighbors of the upcoming event, they seemed eager for the kids to come.  Our sons birthday is the day after Christmas. We like inviting lots of children, but what do you do with all of them? Without spending tons of money?  So we thought a scavenger hunt would be great.  The house is not large and with the Christmas tree and decorations up we did not want everyone running around the house. (We live on Long Island so it's to cold to play outside usually). The children were invited and told of the adventure so bundle up.  They came in, divided into groups and sat in the kitchen for crafting.  When they went hunting, we cleared the table and re-set it for cake.  They had a blast and my house survived the party!!  It was for his 6th birthday.