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Estate Sale Scavenger Hunt: Fun Challenges for Your Next Outing

Estate sale hunting is always an adventure, but it becomes even more exciting when shared with friends and family. While there’s something undeniably satisfying about a solo shopping trip—wandering in peaceful silence—sometimes adding a little friendly competition can take the experience to a whole new level. Whether it’s seeing who can spot the oldest toy available or racing to uncover the most designer outfits, turning your next estate sale visit into a scavenger hunt is a fun way to make memories and score unique finds.

At Blue Moon Estate Sales, we make the thrill of the hunt even more rewarding. Our sales are carefully organized to help you navigate the space easily, and our friendly staff are always here to answer any questions you may have. 

Not sure how to challenge your friends? Don’t worry; we’ve put together a list of ways you can elevate the fun and still leave with items you’ve been looking for.

First Things First, Let’s Talk Estate Sale Etiquette

A little healthy competition is part of the fun at estate sales, but it’s important to keep things respectful and enjoyable for everyone. Maintaining proper etiquette guarantees that all attendees have a positive experience and can enjoy the thrill of discovery without unnecessary distractions.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Respect Personal Space: Give other shoppers room to browse without hovering or reaching over them.
  • Handle Items Carefully: Treat every piece as if it’s fragile, even if it’s not.
  • Follow the Rules: If the sale has areas marked off or specific guidelines, be sure to follow them.
  • Be Polite to Staff: The team running the sale works hard to organize everything, so a little patience and kindness go a long way.
  • Leave Things as You Found Them: If you decide not to purchase an item, put it back where it belongs so others can find it.

If you’re interested in learning more about how best to shop a Blue Moon Estate Sale, be sure to check out our shopping tips

Now The Fun Begins: Shopping Challenges For Every Age

When it comes to challenges, the possibilities for fun are endless. To make things even more exciting, add a time limit to accomplish each goal or set specific criteria for the items you’re searching for. This will keep everyone on their toes and make the hunt even more thrilling.

Find out who can find the best item, hit the right target, or finish their list first. Take a look at these challenge ideas that are sure to make your estate sale experience even more memorable.

For Kids: Adventures in Discovery

Bringing your children to an estate sale is a great opportunity to introduce them to one of your favorite pastimes and can also become the perfect learning experience. Spark their curiosity, creativity, and sense of adventure and keep them engaged by challenging them to a few games, including:

  • Color Quest: Find three items in their favorite color.
  • Animal Safari: Look for objects with animal themes—think stuffed animals, figurines, or even artwork. Who knows, they may find something to add to their bedroom.
  • Alphabet Hunt: Search for objects that start with the same letter as their first name. For a more challenging twist, run through the alphabet and see how many items they can find that start with more challenging letters like X and Z.

For Teens: Trendy Treasure Hunts

Being a teenager who’s “forced” to go to an estate sale with their parents can quickly become an interesting experience, to say the least. You remember what you were like when you were that age, right? You’d probably rather be at the mall or hanging out with friends—anything other than being seen with your parents.

But you have the opportunity to turn this attitude around and make it a fun experience for all involved. Try a few of these teen-friendly challenges to spice up their estate sale experience:

  • Retro Throwback: Hunt for vintage items that double as trendy décor, like record players or lamps. They'll get bonus points if they find an item faster than their siblings.
  • Pop Culture Picks: Challenge them to search for items tied to a specific decade—maybe a ‘90s movie poster or a band t-shirt. 
  • Budget-Friendly Finds: Have your teen bring their allowance and challenge them to find the coolest item under a certain dollar amount. This will help teach them the value of a dollar while still having fun shopping.

For Adults: The Ultimate Treasure Hunt

Who says only the kids get to have all the fun? Adults can get in on the action, too, with some competitive challenges that will turn a casual shopping trip into a full-blown treasure hunt. Whether you’re tagging along with friends or making it a family affair, these challenges add a layer of fun and excitement to any search.

Set a Theme

Pick a theme for your estate sale adventure, such as outdoor fun, holiday décor, or kitchen utensils, and see who can find the most fitting items within that category. This is a great way to add a little flair to your home collection without the stress of wandering aimlessly.

Wildcard Pick

Each participant selects one item they think another family member or friend will absolutely love. This is a fun way to test how well you know each other’s tastes and preferences! Whether it’s a quirky vintage sign for a parent or a unique shirt for a sibling, it’s always fun to see what makes the cut and, more importantly, how thoughtful and unexpected these finds can be.

Scavenger Hunt Bingo

Create a bingo card filled with items like “vintage toy,” “piece of art,” or “something shiny,” and race against each other to complete a row. To make it even more exciting, you could add wildcards like “something with a story” or “a hidden gem” that makes the hunt more unpredictable. Whoever gets a BINGO first wins.

Blue Moon Estate Sales is Your Destination For Fun

At Blue Moon Estate Sales, our goal is to guarantee every person who walks through the doors has an enjoyable experience. Instead of shopping solo, bring your favorite people along for the ride and show off why estate sale shopping holds such a special place in your heart. These games and challenges take the thrill of estate sale shopping to the next level, but we don’t stop there.

We also offer a rewards program to save you money during your next visit! You’ll receive points for every dollar you spend and bonus points for sharing the love online. The more you shop, the more you’ll earn toward future finds.

When we say that estate sales are our passion, we mean it. And we want you to be able to enjoy that passion as much as possible. From hunting for rare treasures and scoring big bargains to enjoying some friendly competition, Blue Moon Estate Sales is the place to make it all happen. So, come for the hunt, stay for the rewards, and leave with unforgettable finds.

Start Shopping a Blue Moon Estate Sale Today!

Ready to turn your next estate sale visit into an unforgettable adventure? Blue Moon Estate Sales is here to guide you every step of the way, offering expertly organized sales with a wide variety of treasures just waiting to be discovered. Now, everyone can participate in the fun! Check out our upcoming sales, gather your crew, and start ticking off your scavenger hunt list today!