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Color Hunt

'Find something blue!' and everyone races to touch it before the count ends. A simple, energetic game that teaches colors to little ones and works as a quick icebreaker for older kids.

🎂 Ages 3+👥 3-30 players⏱️ 5-10 minutes🧰 Nothing

🃏 Printable cards

What you need

Equipment: Nothing. Play in a room or yard with plenty of colorful objects. Set clear boundaries and remove anything dangerous. The host stands in one fixed spot.

How to play Color Hunt

  1. The host explains the rule: when a color is called, everyone runs to touch something of that color.
  2. The host shouts 'Blue!' and counts out loud to 5.
  3. Everyone runs to touch something blue and keeps holding it.
  4. Anyone who has not touched anything by the end of the count gets a Buga letter.
  5. Two players cannot touch the same object. The first one there keeps it.
  6. The host checks out loud who touched what, then calls a new color.
  7. Add color and texture: 'Something red and soft!' or 'Green and hard!'
  8. Every few rounds, shorten the count to 3.

Scoring and wrapping up

Scoring: Touching in time = 1 point. First to touch an object = 2 points. Three Buga letters = a small fun task, then straight back into the game.

To finish: After about 10 colors, add up the points. A great finish: the whole group has 60 seconds to find one object in every color of the rainbow.

By age

  • Ages 3-5: basic colors only, a slow count and no letters.
  • Ages 6+: add shades, patterns and the color and texture combos.

Variations

  • Big group: play in teams, and each team must bring back one object of the color to its base.
  • Buga twist: color plus texture. 'Find something red and soft!' or 'Something yellow and shiny!'

Tips for the adult in charge

  • Great for young children and for breaking the ice in a new group.
  • Check the room first so every color you call actually exists.

Safety

No dangerous objects nearby, and keep away from stairs.

🖨️ Printable color calls

Read one call per round. The ones lower down are harder.

  • Red
  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Orange
  • Purple
  • Pink
  • White
  • Black
  • Brown
  • Something with two colors
  • Something striped
  • Something red and soft
  • Something green and hard
  • Something yellow and shiny
  • Something blue and smooth
  • Something white and fluffy
  • Something with polka dots
  • Something the color of the sky
  • Something the color of a banana

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Frequently asked questions

What age is a color hunt for?

From about age 2 or 3, with basic colors. Older kids enjoy faster counts and tricky combinations like 'striped' or 'red and soft'.

Can you play a color hunt outside?

Yes. Parks and gardens are full of colors. Just set clear boundaries before you start.