How to Set Up a Treasure Hunt or a Scavenger Hunt

Map-style treasure hunt

• 1

  Draw a map of your intended hunting area. This can be a backyard, a mall or the entire city. Create dotted lines to show the team where it needs to go. Draw Xs at each destination and draw in obvious places or landmarks like a lake or popular store.

• 2

  Create a second map identical to the first; this will be for the other team. If you have more than two teams, make additional maps for each. Decide what objects you will put in each destination. You won't need to write out clues for the next spot because each team will already have a map leading them. Ideas for objects could be party favors, historical facts, interesting places or games. Have each team write down the information or take the object with them to prove they were at the spot.

• 3

  Set a time limit for the teams before sending them out. This will create suspense and an extra thrill for the players. Choose a grand prize for the winning team, whichever team returns in the allotted time with all the information or objects first wins.

List-style scavenger hunt

• 4

  Write a riddle or clue for each team, this will be the starting clue. These tend to work better for older kids or adults who can decode the more complex clues. Choose a hunting ground like the mall or another larger scale area. The first clue will hint at where the second clue is hidden. Clues can be straight-forward directions or silly games each team must play before tracking down the next clue. Give the first clue to each team at the same time, and send them out. Give the teams a time limit that they must abide by to win.

• 5

  Hide the second clue or riddle in conjunction with the first clue's information. Make sure the riddles aren't overly complex but are still original and challenging. Continue hiding as many clues as you want; the game can be as long or short as you wish. Each team will need a set of clues so the first team to arrive doesn't take the only clue. You can hid the clues in the same spots or have completely different routes for each team.

• 6

  Write the final clue to lead the teams back home or to the "base camp." The first team to arrive with all of their clues and in the allotted time limit wins. The winning team will receive the grand prize, which can be anything. Ttypically scavenger hunts have silly prizes, but they can be anything from a pizza dinner to jewelry.