In traditional corporate events, athleticism often determines the winner. However, in the current professional environment, the ability to solve problems, negotiate resources, and react quickly is highly valuable.
The Object Scavenger Hunt Race, derived from the Japanese Kari-mono Kyoso, levels the playing field. Speed matters, but resourcefulness matters more. Participants must draw a random card, decipher the requirement, locate the item within the venue, and negotiate with its owner to borrow it—all under the pressure of a ticking clock.
It is a high-energy simulation of “achieving objectives” using the resources around you.
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The Core Concept

Unlike a standard scavenger hunt where teams search for hidden clues, this is a race to borrow items from the crowd. It consists of four key stages:
- Draw: Racers sprint to a table and pick a random card (e.g., A Left Shoe).
- Locate: They must scan the room to find the object.
- Negotiate: They must convince the owner to hand it over (even if it’s something personal!).
- Finish: They cross the goal line with the object .
Strategic Advantages for Organizations
This activity is designed to develop three specific business competencies through active engagement:
1. Adaptability and Problem Solving
What if the card says “A Ferrari”? You can’t find a real one. A smart employee might grab a toy car, or draw a horse on a piece of paper, or find someone with a Ferrari keychain. This playful yet challenging setup rewards lateral thinking and the ability to pivot when the obvious solution isn’t available .
2. Persuasion and Negotiation
Asking a colleague to lend you a pen is easy. Asking a stranger to lend you their shoe or smartphone requires instant trust-building and persuasion. This mirrors high-stakes business negotiations where you need to secure resources quickly .
3. Inclusivity
Because the “luck of the draw” plays a huge role, the fastest runner isn’t guaranteed to win. This allows employees of all ages and physical abilities to compete equally, boosting morale across the entire organization.
How to Run a High-Impact Session
Resources & Setup
- Materials: Stopwatches, Theme Cards, and a Goal Line.
- Props Box: For Impossible themes (Level 5), hide a few props (toys, wigs, costumes) around the venue to allow for creative solutions .
Rules & Etiquette
- Borrow & Return: Emphasize that all items must be returned to their owners immediately after the race.
- Boundaries: Clearly define the search area (e.g., Main Hall Only) to prevent people from running into restricted zones .
100 Themes for the Modern Office
We have curated 100 themes adapted for a global workplace, categorized by difficulty and the type of interaction required.
Level 1: The Quick Grab (Everyday Items)
Common items found in pockets or purses. Speed is key.
- A Black Pen
- A Coin (Any currency)
- A Receipt
- A Business Card
- A Bank or ID card
- A Smartwatch
- A Set of Keys
- A Lip Balm / Lipstick
- A Tissue / Handkerchief
- A Hair Tie
- A Mint or Gum
- A Pair of Glasses
- A Smartphone
- A Ring
- A Watch (Analog)
- A Belt
- A Tie
- A Lanyard / ID Badge
- A Water Bottle
- A Mask
Level 2: The Office Hunt (Workplace Items)
Items found on desks or in bags. Requires scanning the environment.
- A Stapler
- A Blue adhesive note
- A Laptop
- A Computer mouse
- A USB Cable / Charger
- A Notebook (Physical)
- A Highlighter (Yellow)
- A Paperclip
- A Calculator
- A Mug featuring a company logo
- A Briefcase / Laptop Bag
- A Tablet device
- A Whiteboard Marker
- A Pair of scissors
- A Tape Dispenser
- A Stress Ball
- Headphones or a headset
- A Backpack
- An Umbrella
- A Jacket / Blazer
Level 3: The Big Ask (Trust & Negotiation)
Items that require persuasion to borrow because they are personal or awkward.
- A Left Shoe (Owner must hop!)
- A Sock (Clean ones only!)
- A Wallet
- A Driver’s License
- A Passport (if at an international event)
- A Photo of a Pet (on phone is OK)
- A Photo of a Child
- A Foreign Currency (Bill or Coin)
- A Bottle of Perfume / Cologne
- A Mirror (Compact)
- A Comb / Brush
- A Travel Toothbrush
- Something Pink
- Something Glittery
- Something Old (Vintage)
- A Hat / Cap
- A Scarf
- A Loyalty or Rewards Card
- A Library Card
- A Gym Membership Card
Level 4: The Specific Hunt (Detail Oriented)
Specific criteria that force participants to interview people.
- A Coin minted in the 1990s
- A Receipt dated today
- A Business Card from another company
- A Smartphone with a cracked screen
- A Phone with less than 10% battery
- A Key with a novelty keychain
- A Book (Not a notebook)
- A Newspaper or Magazine
- A Pair of High Heels over 5cm
- A Pair of Sunglasses
- A Wireless Earbud (Just one is okay)
- A Laptop with stickers on it
- A Tote Bag
- Something made of Leather
- Something made of Wood
- Something Handmade
- An Analog Watch with a leather strap
- A Red Lipstick
- A Blue Pen (specifically blue ink)
- A Mechanical Pencil
Level 5: The Impossible Challenge (Creativity)
Items that don’t technically exist in the room. Participants must find a substitute, a picture, or use a prop.
- A Ferrari (Toy car, photo, or keychain accepted)
- A Million Dollars (Drawing or Monopoly money)
- A Time Machine (Creative interpretation needed!)
- The CEO’s Personal Item (High risk, high reward!)
- A Wig
- A Sword (Paper or umbrella substitute)
- A Cat (Photo or plushie)
- A Microphone
- A Gold Medal
- A Celebrity’s Autograph
- A Musical Instrument (Voice counts?)
- The Company Vision (Written on paper?)
- A Dinosaur
- A Robot
- A Spaceship
- Something that smells like Victory (Subjective)
- The Heavy Weight of Responsibility (Creative interpretation)
- A Flip Phone (Old tech)
- A Floppy Disk (Ancient tech)
- The Boss’s Tie (Must be taken off!)
Agility in Action

The Object Scavenger Hunt Race transforms a simple game of fetch into a masterclass in agility. It teaches teams that resources are everywhere—if you have the courage to ask and the creativity to see them.
Ready to engage your team? At IKUSA, we specialize in immersive team-building experiences that drive ROI. Whether it is a Samurai Battle or a Corporate Scavenger Hunt, we ensure the experience is inclusive, professional, and impactful.
⇒Download our comprehensive guide.