Fun Ideas for Treasure Hunt Clues

Plan a Treasure Hunt for This Halloween

Keep your kids guessing and moving with a Treasure Hunt and treasure hunt clues. It requires a little creativity and planning on a parent’s part but is worth the effort for lifelong memories. Making up the treasure hunt clues is half the fun and there are variations to how. This is your chance to be creative and have fun. Tie the treasure hunt clues in with your children’s interests and of course don’t hesitate to make them educational too! Here are a few tips to get you started.

Determine the places to leave the treasure hunt clues. Pick places the kids are familiar with like a friend’s home, a nearby playground, the jungle gym in your backyard. Remember, the older the kids the greater the difficulty and number of treasure hunt clues. If they aren’t old enough to go searching for their treasure hunt clues alone a parent or guardian must go with them. Your kids stay safe and this allows you to get some exercise too.

Some good hiding places are under a door mat, buried in the sand box, under a bush, or taped under a garden pot. Make up rhyming riddles that lead the kids on a trail through the yard and neighborhood. Remember to make them challenging enough so that it takes them some time to figure out. Being too easy will bore the kids. You can always give them additional hints if they need it.

Use photographs to point them in the right direction. Take pictures of familiar things in the area where their next clue or prize is waiting. This is a great option for kids who can’t read written treasure hunt clues.

For older kids it will be harder if the photography is not so simple. Try zooming in or even blur it a little! This way they can only see a portion or the blurred vision will keep them guessing. This is more challenging but remember you can always give them additional hints if they need help.

Make up crossword puzzles or cryptograms with the answers being the treasure hunt clues.
Make it fun for the kids. Print the clues and puzzles on the back of a picture of a treasure chest then roll it up in a scroll. You can also use a piece of paper decorated in a pirate theme. Write in your own description of where the kids should look next. Make rhymes or customize using family lingo or language such as "Now look where daddy takes off his slippers" or “where do we feed the squirrels?”.

Print out as many copies of the treasure hunt clues as you need. Put the treasure hunt clues in their places. Don’t forget to keep a list for yourself of where you put the treasure hunt clues! Offer small prizes like candy, little toys, books, or certificates for ice cream throughout the treasure hunt. Ready made treasure hunt clues around the home.

Copyright 2007 Nikki Wilson.

Nikki Wilson is a party planner and event organizer who specializes in treasure hunts and scavenger hunts. After planning successful events for the past 15 years, she now provides a web based service for party and event planners with her detailed treasure hunt party game plans available online. She also has a book of scavenger hunt plans to suit all ages, locations and occasions. Planning your own party, and want a party game that will be memorable and fun? 

Take a look at Nikki’s treasure hunt planners at www.TreasureHuntBook.com