3 creative ways to use scavenger hunts to enhance your onboarding program
Mar 12, 2025
Creating a memorable and engaging onboarding experience is a challenge for HR professionals, especially in hybrid and remote work environments. But if your onboarding strategies fail to spark excitement or immerse new hires in the company’s culture, they can be left feeling disconnected and overwhelmed.
Enter scavenger hunts—an innovative, interactive approach to onboarding that ensures a smooth transition for new employees. Designed to be both practical and fun, scavenger hunts provide opportunities to integrate new hires into the company culture, familiarize them with resources, and foster team-building connections.
This blog will explore how you can use scavenger hunts to supercharge your onboarding program with actionable ideas and real-world applications.
Why use scavenger hunts in onboarding?
Scavenger hunts offer a dynamic and engaging way to onboard new employees, creating a fun atmosphere that introduces them to the company's mission, values, tools, and resources. By actively participating in these activities, new hires build confidence, increase productivity, and form meaningful connections with team members.
For HR professionals, scavenger hunts provide scalable and time-efficient solutions that reduce repetitive processes often associated with onboarding. By incorporating platforms like InCommon, these activities integrate seamlessly into existing programs, delivering a smooth and effective experience. Additionally, the unique and memorable nature of scavenger hunts contributes to enhanced employee satisfaction, setting the stage for long-term success within the organization.
Now, let's walk through how to incorporate scavenger hunts into your onboarding program.
1. Scavenger hunts to introduce company culture
Why it Matters
A strong company culture significantly impacts employee engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction. New hires who feel aligned with the organization’s values and traditions are more likely to hit the ground running and stay engaged long-term.
How to implement it
Create a scavenger hunt centered around your company’s unique rituals, values, and history. Include clues or challenges that educate new employees about what makes your organization special.
Example task ideas:
Have the new hire "attend" or observe a company ritual, such as a virtual weekly stand-up or an awards ceremony recognizing high performers.
Send them on a mission to discover three core company values and where they appear, such as on the website, in an employee handbook, or in team presentations.
Create tasks involving company traditions, like favorite meeting formats or casual Friday themes.
Benefits
Helps employees feel like a valued part of the team from Day 1.
Stresses the importance of company culture and how it guides day-to-day operations.
Encourages shared experiences with existing employees, even in remote settings.
2. Scavenger hunts for mastering tools and resources
Why it matters
New hires often feel lost when it comes to locating essential tools, documents, and workplace resources. A structured scavenger hunt can help them explore systems firsthand, reducing confusion and delays.
How to implement it
Design a scavenger hunt that guides new team members through your office layout (for in-person settings) or digital workspace (for remote employees). Break the process down into manageable steps to help them discover important tools and resources.
Example task ideas:
“Log into the HR portal and download the employee benefits booklet.”
“Find the team folder with all quarterly goals and share your biggest takeaway.”
“Locate the internal directory and set up your email signature using the brand template.”
Benefits
Promotes hands-on learning, ensuring employees feel confident navigating tools independently.
Speeds up the acclimation process, saving time for both the new hire and their manager.
Reduces onboarding workload for HR teams by answering FAQs in a creative format.
3. Scavenger hunts for team building and meeting coworkers
Why it matters
Building meaningful relationships early in a new hire’s journey fosters a sense of belonging and enhances collaboration. For remote and hybrid teams, connecting with colleagues can be even more challenging, making intentional introductions even more crucial.
How to implement it
Create a task-based scavenger hunt focused on forming connections within the team. Use tools like InCommon to easily personalize the hunt, encouraging new employees to discover shared interests with their coworkers.
Example task ideas:
“Find out which coworker loves hiking and ask them for their favorite trail.”
“Ask someone from another department what their favorite part of living in Denver is.”
“Find a coworker that also loves astronomy and swap notes.”
Benefits
Encourages genuine, personal connections among team members.
Facilitates collaboration by introducing new hires to the colleagues they’ll work with most.
Creates an inclusive environment where fresh faces feel welcome and supported.
Making onboarding memorable and impactful
Scavenger hunts are more than just games—they're an opportunity to showcase your company culture, prepare new hires with the tools they’ll rely on daily, and build deep connections among team members. With a bit of creativity and personalization, you can transform your onboarding program into a smooth, engaging, and memorable experience.
Next steps
Curious how personalized scavenger hunts can boost your onboarding strategy? Explore how InCommon makes it easy to create custom experiences for new hires. A smooth transition starts here.