Winter Treasure Hunt Ideas

Outdoor, Nature Inspired

• Using what is found in nature is a great way to create a fun treasure hunt. Provide a small plastic bag and a list of things to hunt for, like pieces of bark, pine cones, squirrels or bird&'s nests, leaves, feathers, dried seeds, twigs or other items that could be found in the winter in your climate. The participants can take all of their treasures indoors afterward and create wreaths, drawings with items glued onto it, or other nature inspired crafts.

Outdoor, Pre-planned

• Instead of sending participants to find items in nature, use a theme, like Christmas, and hide or bury items in the snow, such as plastic Christmas ornaments, candy canes, a snow globe or a small wrapped gift (in plastic wrapping paper or covered with clear plastic if buried in the snow). Provide clues as to the whereabouts of each item and make sure each clue leads to another. For example, start each person with a paper that says "go to the closest pine tree and look for a pine cone lying on the snow. Treasure and next clue buried under pine cone." Once they find each of the items, they can go to a centralized area to get a clue that leads each of them to a different part of the yard with a special treasure box made especially for them. Ideas to put in a children&'s treasure box can include a packet of hot cocoa and a mug or a small toy. Gather inside after all treasure boxes are revealed and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa together. An adult treasure hunt can be done the same way with hidden or buried gift certificates for local restaurants or stores and clues to guide participants to each prize.

Indoor

• The same pre-planned treasure hunt can happen indoors. Provide clues or riddles to let the participants figure out which item they are looking for and then try to find it in the house. For example, the first clue might ask them what they would use to keep snow from going down their neck while sledding. They must find a scarf somewhere in the house and collect it. Another clue might tell them to find something they would open before bed. The answer is a book. Give each child different clues so they are not all collecting the same items to keep the competition and arguing to a minimum. Direct all of them to the same last clue, something like: "What do you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve?" Let them all find the cookies or other treat they can enjoy at the same time.