Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Purchase or design island-themed invitations incorporating images of pirates, palm trees or treasure chests. Send each participant an invitation to the hunt with the date, time, location and RSVP request included.
Decide on a location for your treasure hunt -- indoors or outside -- based on the season and predicted weather. Create a map of the chosen location on a scrap sheet of paper depicting your hunt. Draw a star at each location on the map where treasure chests filled with prizes will be hidden. Draw major landmarks, such as trees, rocks, sofas or other identifying objects, on the map to assist participants.
Tear an 8-by-8-inch sheet from a brown paper bag. Rip the edges so they look ragged. Burn the edges of the paper with a candle to give the paper an even more aged appearance. Repeat this step to make an identical map for each guest or team.
Draw the landscape and treasure hunt route on the brown paper bag maps, following the original you created on scrap paper. Add the major landmarks to the maps, as well as the starting point for the hunt.
Add a map key that explains the treasure symbols. Indicate miniature treasure chests at each location where guests retrieve small prizes. Identify the final treasure location -- where guests will be rewarded with a large final prize -- with a much larger star or treasure chest image.
Prepare the hunt location by placing a small treasure chest or box at each treasure location; you can hide the chests or boxes if desired. Add gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins to each box or small treasure chest along with instructions for guests to collect one from each location along the route.
Position a large treasure chest or box at the final hunt location. Fill it with one treasure for each participant; ideal final prizes include stuffed animals, small toys, beaded necklaces and bags of candy. Choose something age-appropriate for your guests.
Provide each guest with a paper gift bag with a handle to hold their treasures.
Serve a treasure chest-shaped or pirate ship-shaped cake as the centerpiece of the dessert table. Supply guests with island-themed snacks, such as gummy worms, red candy fish or fish-shaped cheese crackers, along with the cake. Serve red punch in plastic cups, but call the drink "pirate punch" or "loot juice" to fit your theme.