Treasure Hunt for Kids

If you are searching for a fun party activity or family game, consider planning a treasure hunt for kids. A treasure hunt or scavenger hunt offers a variety of activities that kids of all ages can enjoy. The versatile game is suitable for large parties or small family gatherings. Even if your kids are not into pirates, you can create a hunt based upon any number of themes from a popular cartoon character to a holiday. Treasure hunts are also relatively easy to plan once you figure out the theme, clue types and treasures. It only takes a little research and knowledge of your kids' interests to plan a successful treasure hunt.

When you are planning a treasure hunt, you should first learn the key elements of the game. Most treasure hunts contain the following elements:

• A theme--Themes create the game atmosphere, tie the entire game together and motivate participation.
• A map--A map is a helpful guide for a treasure hunt, and kids will enjoy decorating it with stickers or drawings. It can also be incorporated into the clues or connected to a prize.
• Clues--Clues are one of the most important components of a treasure hunt because they lead participants to hidden treasures. Clues must make sense to participants so that they can find the treasures and keep the participants engaged in the game.
• Treasures--Treasures are very important because they are the rewards for completing the game. Some games announce the type of treasures involved in the hunt ahead of time as incentives.
• Location--A treasure hunt location can be as large as a backyard or as small as a living room. Select a location for the game that provides a fun but safe challenge for the participants.

There are no specific treasure hunt rules, so you have a lot of freedom to create your own rules and game style. You also do not have to spend a large amount of money on a treasure hunt. In fact, you do not have to spend any money. You can create a simple treasure hunt with objects already available in your home.

The next step in planning a treasure hunt is determining a game type. Many types of treasure hunts are possible. Common treasure hunt types include:

• Old fashioned hide and seek hunts--Prizes are hidden in a certain location, and participants search for them without clues. Many Easter egg hunts operate in this manner. This type of hunt often does not have a theme.
• General theme hunts--A theme hunt will provide clues and treasures that center around a certain theme.
• Story hunts--Story hunts are more developed theme treasure hunts that incorporate a storyline. For example, participants in a Beauty and the Beast treasure hunt can help Belle look for Beast's lost enchanted rose with clues and prizes relating to his magical castle.

Once you select a treasure hunt type, you are ready to pick a theme.

The options for treasure hunt themes are endless. You can pick from popular themes or design your own. Popular treasure hunt themes include:

• Pirates
• Cartoon characters
• Movies
• Music
• Holidays
• Birthdays
• Sports
• Book characters and storylines

If you are creating a treasure hunt for your family, consider personalizing the theme. You can design a theme based upon one of kid's hobbies or a family experience like a vacation.

Talk to your kids and find out what type of themes they would enjoy. Finding out the current interests of your kids and their friends can help you plan a treasure hunt everyone will enjoy.

Now you are ready to develop clues. You have many options for treasure hunt clues. Common treasure hunt clues include:

• Hints--A written message that give the participant an idea of where to look for a prize by describing small details of a hiding place.
• Puzzles--A short sentence or two that is missing words that describe a treasure location.
• Riddles--A short rhyme that hints at the location of a prize.
• Objects--A certain object or collection of objects gives clues to the location of prizes. For example, you could mark ten Dora the Explorer noise makers with a different color marker. Each color leads to a treasure location.

Make sure that your clues are age appropriate for the kids involved. The clues should be challenging enough to be fun but not frustrating.

If you would prefer not to create your own clues, look online for free treasure hunt clues. A number of websites and blogs such as Ramblings of a Crazy Woman offer clue ideas. Disney's Family Fun site has printable treasure hunt clue cards.

Treasure hunt prizes do not have to be expensive. Home-baked cookies are a suitable prize for an informal family treasure hunt. Determine your budget and select prizes that you can afford. Popular treasure hunt prize ideas include:

• Toys
• Games
• Puzzles
• Stickers
• Coloring books
• A basketball
• Candy

Remember to have enough prizes so that every participant receives something.

You can also use a treasure hunt as a learning tool to get your kids more interested in educational subjects. Educational treasure hunt themes can include:

• Insects
• The alphabet
• Mathematical multiplication
• Colors

You can also incorporate an educational theme with another theme to make the game more fun for your kids.

As a parent, you can appreciate the many benefits of a treasure hunt. You can plan a treasure hunt for kids on any budget. The game is suitable for almost any occasion. Treasure hunts also offer fun opportunities to encourage social interaction at parties, provide quality family time or make an educational subject more interesting. This certainly explains why treasure hunts are popular.

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