Our scavenger hunts make visits to WMODA entertaining and educational for adults and children alike. There’s lots of fascinating trivia to discover as you explore the museum hunting for safari animals, questing for mermaids or chasing rabbits. The games fire the imagination of all the participants and encourage healthy competition between friends. You might even win a prize in our monthly drawing!

Scavenger hunts evolved from folk games but they became really popular in the 1930s thanks to Elsa Maxwell, an American actress and gossip columnist. She was dubbed the “hostess with the mostest” for the lavish parties that she threw for New York celebrities. She often organized scavenger hunts for the guests who had to roam around town seeking objects from a list and beg, barter, or work for them. The person with the most objects won a prize.

Mermaid Quest

Dive into WMODA and find all the elusive mermaids and other wonders of the deep displayed around the museum. Discover tales about the half-human half-fish creatures that have circulated since ancient times.

Big Five Safari Hunt

Go wild at WMODA and track African animals throughout the museum. The Big Five animals are the most difficult to hunt on foot - the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the rhinoceros, and the African buffalo.

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

Follow Alice and the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole into our WMODA Wonderland and chase all the rabbits and hares hiding around the museum. Hop to it and don’t be late!

Fairy Magic

Guess the number of fairies dancing on the Lladró porcelain chandelier in the Fantastique exhibition. Listen to the haunting music composed by Dave Rosenthal for the unveiling of the chandelier gifted to WMODA by Lladró of Spain.