Treasure Hunts for Preschoolers
Simple hide and seek hunts are suitable for preschoolers. The "treasures" can be themed around a birthday party or a holiday theme. Each child is given a container and told to find party favors, candy or small toys. Baskets can be used for Easter egg hunts, plastic pumpkins for Halloween hunts, "Happy Birthday" gift bags for birthday parties or beach pails for Fourth of July picnic hunts. Nature treasure hunts for preschoolers consist of giving the child a sheet of paper with pictures of items or animals commonly found outdoors, like acorns or pine cones, different types of flowers, leaves, twigs, rocks, squirrels and birds. These pictures can be cut from magazines, taped onto the paper and copied for each child. When each item is found or spotted, the child receives a prize.
Treasure Hunts for School Age Children
Have a narrator read hints to hidden magnetic baby letters that will spell out the location of the treasure. When all of the letters have been found, have the children put them on a magnetic board to unscramble the answer. Map-directed Scavenger Hunts at parks are fun for older children. Visit the park beforehand and map out landmarks like trees, rocks, streams and bridges or take a photo of the area, enlarging onto a letter size sheet of paper and making enough copies for each child. Mark the map by numbering the landmarks, creating individualized clues that will lead each child to a personalized treasure. A story hunts incorporate a story line with which the children are all familiar, such as a traditional fairy tale or nursery rhyme, sending them on a search for the Beast's enchanted rose, Snow White's poisoned apple or Mary's little lamb. Write clues on index cards leading to the location of the next clue. The first clue can be read by the host child or parent. The clues can be messages that describe details of the hiding place, riddles or a rhyme.
Treasure Hunt Clues
Treasure hunt clues can be hints as simple as, "I spy with my little eye something red." Rhyming hints or riddles will test the reasoning and logic powers of older children. If you are not adept at rhyming or riddling, many websites and blogs offer help. Check out Riddle Me or Disney's Family Fun Suite, which has printable treasure hunt clue cards. An Internet search will provide many sites with innovative and creative treasure hunt clue ideas.
Treasure Hunt Prizes
Inexpensive treasure hunt prizes can be found at dollar stores, flea markets or at sites that sell in bulk, such as Oriental Traders. Toys, games, books, puzzles, stickers, costume jewelry, balls, candy, action figures, stuffed animals, money or gift certificates to fast-food restaurants can be used as treasure hunt prizes.