Tips on Organizing a Treasure Hunt for Your Kids

If you are seeking for new ways to entertain your kids, other than going to amusement parks, buying them new sophisticated toys or letting them watch cartoons, what about organizing something for them?

We all know that children love thrill and adventure. So what we propose to you is something that combines the two with the benefit of spending time outdoors with the entire family: a treasure hunt. It may turn out to be quite affordable, and can bring more joy than other more expensive options. Here is some advice to help you with this endeavor:

Follow a Few Basic Principles

Finding a location is simple: seek a large, age-appropriate place (a well-delimited space or a backyard for smaller kids, a park for tweens etc.), and hide messages with clues in various places. Each message should lead you to to the next one, until you get to the very last one, which should point to the treasure. Whatever you decide to choose as a treasure, make sure it will be something your children will be delighted to find.

To start the process, you can tell your kids that you have found a message on a sheet of paper, and that you have to read it, because it seems like something important. The message should describe an amazing treasure that is hidden in the place chosen by you, giving clear directions to the first clue that can be found there. The prize itself should be ideally stored somewhere safe. For example, you could give it to a family friend or a relative. Don’t be afraid to get creative when writing your message. You could use stickers for clues and you could also draw pictures to help them on their quest.

The message should describe an amazing treasure that is hidden in the place chosen by you, giving clear directions to the first clue that can be found there. The prize itself should be ideally stored somewhere safe. For example, you could give it to a family friend or a relative.

This would make the experience even more interactive for them, as you could ask the person in charge to demand a secret password or seek confirmation that your kids have completed all the steps.

Include Logical Challenges

Finding messages can be an interesting experience in itself, but you could also include puzzles and logical questions which would lead to the next message.

This will make the thrill bigger, while also maximizing the joy of your kids when they finally find the prize.

Include Physical Challenges

As an adult, it is not that hard for you to hide objects in places where it is harder for kids to reach. Some tree climbing, for example, will make the adventure more intense. By bringing both mental and physical stimulation to the table, the treasure hunting experience will be truly unforgettable.

Use Costumes

For a more exciting experience, offer your kids the opportunity to wear costumes suitable for such an adventure. There are many options you could choose from, one of them being pirate costumes. Because what better attire can one wear when looking for treasure?

You can buy a costume or improvise one with a few articles from a thrift shop. Defining items for a pirate costume include an eye patch, pirate hooks, worn-out old clothes, a T-shirt with stripes etc. You can improvise a hat, and use some old belts for maximum effect. Your kids will look stunning in photos and will have great memories.

Strike a Balance

While you guide them through the experience, it is important to strike a balance between suggesting what the ‘right answer/place’ might be, and keeping them guessing. If you leave them with no guidance, it may be too hard to find the messages, but if you tell them too much, it may spoil the adventure.

Whether you organize a treasure hunt for your family members only, or if you decide to also invite your kids’ friends, use your creativity, follow our simple pieces of advice and get ready to kick-start the adventure. Chances are you’ll have a wonderful time doing so.