London scavenger hunt for kids and families

London is enormous and most of a family day out is spent walking between the bits you came to see. This is a self-guided scavenger hunt that turns the walking into the game: twelve things to find, six of them famous landmarks and six of them everyday London things you will spot on the way, from red buses to blue plaques. Every find is photographed and checked on the spot.

Get the app See the stops

Finds: 12
Ages: 4–14
Plan: With Pro
App languages: 8
Where: Central London
Booking: None

snap it and it counts

How the hunt works

Go to the stop
Each stop has a zone around it, so it only counts when you're really there.
Snap it
Take a photo and the app checks it shows the right thing.
Collect the set
Tick off every stop at your own pace. Stop for food whenever you like; your progress is saved.

Adventures

Vote the next city in

BristolWant a trail here?

This example plays the Bath trail.

What happens in this example

The trails list, with a colour for each kind of trail. Filter it, or open the Bath city trail.
The Bath in Honey Stone trail: 8 stops, with Pro. The first stop, the Roman Baths, says you're in the zone.
The stop: a drawn map shows you're here, with a hint about what to look for.
Snap it and the app checks the photo.
Found! Stop 1 of 8 is done. Bath Abbey is next, and that's the end of this example.

what you'll find

The London trail

12 stops to find. Here they are.

City trailWith Pro

London Landmarks

Six landmarks with a geofence on each, so they only count when you are genuinely there, plus six London things you can find anywhere in the city.

Stop 1: Big BenThe clock tower at the Houses of Parliament. Any angle counts, including from across the river.
Stop 2: Tower BridgeThe one with two stone towers and blue ironwork. Not London Bridge, which disappoints everybody.
Stop 3: Buckingham PalaceThe facade, the gates, or the gold Victoria Memorial in front of it.
Stop 4: Nelson's ColumnThe tall column in Trafalgar Square. The four bronze lions at the base count too.
Stop 5: The London EyeThe big wheel on the South Bank, visible from a long way off.
Stop 6: St Paul's CathedralThe dome. From a distance is fine.
Stop 7: A red phone boxIncluding the ones converted into tiny libraries and coffee stands.
Stop 8: A black cabAny hackney carriage, even under an advertising wrap.
Stop 9: A red double-decker busNot hard. A good early win for a small child.
Stop 10: A Tube roundelThe red circle and blue bar, on a station, a sign or a map.
Stop 11: A blue plaqueThe round plaques marking who used to live where. The hardest one on the list.
Stop 12: A pub sign with an animal on itA lion, a swan, a horse. There are more than you would think.

good questions

Questions parents ask

How much does the London scavenger hunt cost?

The Scavvi app and its daily hunt are free. City trails come with Scavvi Pro, £2.99 a month or £19.99 a year, cancel any time in the App Store or Google Play. There is nothing to book.

Is it walkable in one day?

The six landmarks span central London, so most families pick three or four and pick up the anywhere finds along the way. There is no requirement to complete it in one go and your progress is saved.

What ages does it suit?

Roughly four to fourteen. The bus, the cab and the phone box are easy wins for little ones. The blue plaque and the pub signs keep older children looking.

Does it work on the Tube?

The finding needs you above ground, and the photo check needs a signal, so underground stretches are a natural pause. Progress holds while you travel.

Can we play it on a school trip?

Yes. City trails come with Pro, which lets up to 50 players join one hunt, and the app checks each photo so nobody has to referee. There is more for teachers on our Schools and clubs page.

Playing in London?

The app and its daily hunt are free. City trails come with Scavvi Pro. Download it before you go and the trail will be waiting when you get there.

Get the app

going somewhere else?