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Step-by-Step Instructions for a Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunts are a fun activity for children, whether you create one to stave off rainy day boredom or make it a centerpiece of your child's birthday party. Treasure hunts can be as simple or elaborate as you want. The only limitations are your imagination and time constraints.

Before creating a treasure hunt, take the participants' age and their abilities into account. Hunts are most appropriate for preschool-age children and older. For children who cannot yet read, create picture clues. Older children can follow written clues. Encourage the children to cooperate to find the treasure regardless of the age group involved.

Things You'll Need

Prize
Scissors
Paper
Markers

Instructions

- 1
  Pick the prize that the children will hunt for during the activity. Tailor the treasure to the age group of the kids involved. For example, preschoolers might like sticker books, while older children could search for trading cards. If you're holding a family-only hunt, the treasure could be an experience such as a trip to an amusement park.
- 2
  Decide how many clues the children must solve to get to the treasure. Limit the steps to six or fewer for younger kids. Older kids can handle longer hunts with harder clues and 10 to 15 steps.
- 3
  Make a list of potential hiding spots equal to the number of clues you decided upon. Rank the spots in terms of difficulty. The easiest location to find will be the answer to the first clue, while the hardest will hold the treasure.
- 4
  Cut squares of paper, their number being equal to one less than the amount of hiding spots -- you don't need a piece of paper for the last location because it is the treasure. Write or draw clues on the paper squares, one clue per square. Number each so the hunters know which step in the game they are on.
- 5
  Write a relatively easy clue to start off the hunt. For preschoolers, a drawing that leads them to the next location will suffice. Fashion a riddle for older children. Keep the first clue unhidden, as this will be the clue the children use to start the hunt.
- 6
  Create progressively harder clues to solve. Increase the difficulty factor by spacing the clues further apart or by writing harder riddles to solve.
- 7
  Hide the clues at each location along the treasure hunt, with each clue leading the hunters to the next step. For instance, the children should find a clue at spot No. 4 that leads them to hiding place No. 5.
- 8
  Hide the treasure at the most difficult hiding place, depending on your location. For example, pick a spot in the back of a closet if you're hunting in a house or bury the treasure if you're outside.
- 9
  Gather the children, explain the game, hand them the first clue and begin the hunt.

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