A treasure hunt is an easy and fun way to spend time with your children, to strengthen your staff through team building, or to spend time with friends and family. The competition encourages teams to work together or individuals to think creatively and develop ingenuity. In crafting the clues make sure to pique the imagination and interest of each participant. You can use all possible resources, including carnival costumes, to create themes and decorations. Make sure you are not neglecting any player and that no one gets hurt by designing the activity specifically for the people who will participate in it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Carry out a treasure hunt
Step 1. Choose the theme
It will make the treasure hunt interesting, especially if you choose one that is based on the interests of the participants. For example, if your child likes pirates, you could use this theme for him and his classmates.
Other possible themes are: Disney princesses, dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, the jungle, Indiana Jones, carnival, holidays, fairies, detective stories, current affairs, television broadcasts, video games and more
Step 2. Plan the clues
Look for them online or invent them yourself based on the age and skills of the participants: they will be used by the participants to move from one stage to the next. Riddles are perfect for adult players who need more challenging clues; conversely, younger players might appreciate funny rhyming phrases. If the players are very young, you can simply use pictures as a clue.
- Determine the number of clues based on the time you have available and the number of participants. Try to keep them connected to the treasure hunt theme - if the theme is dinosaurs, match each clue to a different dinosaur.
- An example of a riddle could be: "He has no voice and cries ago, he has no wings and in flight he goes, he has no teeth and bites he gives, he has no mouth and verses ago".
- An example of a clue sequence might look like this: "When hunger surprises you, it brings you here for food" (fix clue 2 in the pantry); "Hurray, you've come to number two. To reach number three, put these on before you put your shoes on" (places clue 3 in the sock drawer).
Step 3. Determine what the treasure will be
Choose a range of rewards that are related to the theme you have chosen. If you decide to include any snacks or treats, make sure that no participant has any particular allergies. Organize the treasure in private so that no one can cheat. You can use an old container, decorate it, fill it with gifts and treats purchased at a convenience store.
Rewards can include candy, pencils, toys, coins, necklaces and light sticks, sports match tickets, or more generous prizes such as a holiday. If you have designed the treasure chest yourself, you can ask players to help you decorate it. You can also avoid making a single chest and opt for individual prize bags; for a more subdued style simply decorate some paper bags and fill them with treats
Step 4. Hide the clues
Make sure players don't see you as you place them around your home, office, or outdoors if the weather permits. Make sure they are within reach of children in case they participate in the game. Place clues away from each other and in different locations to prevent a player from finding the wrong one.
You can hide clues while the kids are having a snack or are at school. Make sure someone is with them to prevent them from turning around to see where you hide them
Step 5. Start the hunt
Group the players and illustrate the rules, making sure they understand how far the pitch extends: it is better to avoid them wandering in a dangerous place or in an area with limited access (such as outside), if they are not authorized. Divide a large group into several teams and make sure they are balanced by avoiding, for example, putting all the fastest kids or the best readers on the same team.
- If it's a themed treasure hunt, have players dress appropriately. Make sure that each player has a chance to read one of the clues aloud, that everyone participates, that the group discussion is fun, and that no one gets pushed aside. Don't let one person find all the answers and decide where to go - make sure team members work together collaboratively.
- Support the players, but don't reveal the answers.
Method 2 of 2: Doing Different Types of Treasure Hunt
Step 1. Search for ideas online if the discussion within your group did not produce any results
There are different types of online treasure hunts - if you feel stuck, don't know where to start, or the ideas you have are too complicated for the resources you have, you may find something that works for your players. You could also start your search based on their interests (robots for example) and see if you find something that suits you.
Step 2. Organize a photo treasure hunt
Ask the players or teams to use their cameras or cell phones to take pictures of different objects. Create a list for everyone to follow and review it with them - the first team to take all the photos wins.
- For example, you could ask different departments in your office to scour the city for monuments, or ask a class of kids to take pictures of certain furniture or shapes around the house. You could also ask to capture certain activities, such as forming a human pyramid.
- You could assign a higher score for the most difficult photos to take and set a time limit: the team that scores the most points when time runs out will be the winner.
Step 3. Carry out an item hunt
Create a list of fun and difficult-to-find objects, making sure to establish boundaries within which the search is allowed. Hand out a copy of the list to players informing them that stealing items are prohibited and setting a time limit.
The first team to find all items on the list wins. A list can include an old magazine, the smallest or largest fruit in the house, funny photos, a person wearing a uniform (fireman's uniform for example), or whatever else is appropriate for the age and abilities of the children. players
Step 4. Start drawing a treasure hunt map
Make a map of your home, garden or neighborhood. Make sure that the playing area is suitable for the age and abilities of the participants. Draw an X on each point where there is a clue or indicate only one in the place of the first clue that will lead them to the next ones until they find the treasure.
- For example, the first clue might be something like this: "Walk 40 paces east, then turn to your left and take two steps. Climb the large stump and look underneath the green statue for the second clue."
- You may also find some useful maps online such as the one for your classroom or home.
Step 5. Use the imagination of the little ones
Make a treasure hunt for young children using their imaginations along with large, clear images. Be a good storyteller and lead them to the different clues. You can place a prize in the place of each clue or, for a larger group, have them return to the starting point each time they find one for them to claim the prize.
- You could make two different types of clues for each team or for each player if the group is small. This way children can share their stories about what they found at the end of the game.
- Make sure everyone participates in finding the treasure. Very young children become jealous or feel excluded easily, so make sure everyone is involved in finding a part of the treasure.
