Resource
Reef Research Hunt – Ocean Discovery Printable Game
Run Reef Research Hunt as a cooperative Ocean Discovery movement game, with clear setup, no elimination, flexible roles and practical safety guidance.
Ready to print and play
Preview the two-page game guide
Download 2-page game guideCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.
A familiar game in the Ocean Discovery theme
Reef Research Hunt adapts Scavenger Hunt with this cue: Locate printed reef research symbols without collecting natural objects. The printable keeps the rules cooperative, removes elimination and gives educators practical ways to adjust movement and participation.
Set up
- Write or draw one clue on each scrap-paper card, then place the cards in visible, permitted locations within the supervised boundary.
- Check every route and exclude storage, kitchen, bathroom, car-park and out-of-bounds areas.
- Pair or group children and show the return point. Use a find-and-mark format rather than collecting objects.
How to play
- Teams choose a clue and search together inside the marked area.
- When they find it, they mark the matching picture or tell an educator—clues stay in place.
- Teams return for another clue and can offer a non-revealing hint to another group.
- After 15–20 minutes, or after each team has attempted three clues, call everyone to the return point. Count pencils and clipboards, then collect the clue cards together.
Theme variations
- Pair each clue with an observation question.
- Add a seated research desk where clues can also be matched.
Include more ways to join
Use close-range clues, high-contrast pictures, a seated clue station or a photographer/map role. Keep teams together rather than ranking finish times.
Safety check
- Maintain line-of-sight and service supervision requirements.
- Do not hide clues near hazards, private spaces, roads, water or climbing points.
- Do not collect plants, animals, food, personal belongings or unknown objects.
Printing notes
The download is a two-page A4 illustrated guide. Page one contains the core game. Page two includes theme variations, participation options, educator checks and a dashed cut-off quick-reference card that can be kept with the game equipment or laminated.
