A guide to the perfect treasure hunt

    Whitney Hollingshead is back today with some more fun ideas! Last time she contributed some great ways to have a Western-themed party for kids. Today she's sharing how to plan the perfect treasure hunt - Kay is going to love these!

A Guide to Planning the Perfect Treasure Hunt

  Hunting for treasure is a fun activity for all ages.  Now that the weather is warming up, planning a treasure hunt is a perfect way to encourage your kids to get outside.  A treasure hunt is also a great way for any child to use their imagination and explore their surroundings.  Check out the ideas below for some fun ways to choose a treasure and plan the perfect hunt.  

In choosing a secret treasure for your child to find, make sure you pick an item that has obvious value to your child.  No one wants to search high and low for a treasure only to find a box of dull rocks.  Unless of course, your child is a rock collector...

Here are some ideas to get you thinking about the perfect treasure:

• Select a fun treat or toy that your child has been requesting to create a fun surprise.  
  
• Choose an educational game, puzzle, or fun activity that fits your child’s abilities.
  
• Consider selecting a specific book that will be a sure hit with your kid.
  
• Use something you’ve held on to for years to share with your child.  Maybe you still have a stuffed animal, baseball glove, doll, or toy train from your childhood.  When your child discovers the treasure, be sure to share with them why the item has meant so much to you over the years.
  
• Make fun personal coupons that your child can cash in for items and activities.  For example, one coupon could be good for getting ice cream with mom.  Another coupon could be good for an afternoon at the park.  The coupons will be especially meaningful if they involve going places and doing things with family members or close friends.
  

   Once you have prepared the perfect treasure, it’s time to decide where you will hide the treasure.  Keep in mind that you want to hide the treasure in a location that you can oversee easily and that will be safe from weather, curious pets, and other curious people.  

  You can turn a shoebox into a treasure chest by decorating it with craft supplies.  Get creative and make the treasure chest your own creation!  You may also want to slip the treasure into a Ziploc bag inside the box for extra protection.

  Now that you have the perfect hiding spot in mind, it’s time to plan the treasure hunt.  You can pull of a treasure hunt many different ways; however, here are three fun examples to consider:

  Turn the area around the hidden treasure into a secret island.  The fixed items in the area such as a picnic table, trees, concrete, bushes, your mailbox, etc. should be envisioned as things you would find on a treasure map such as a castle, palm trees, a pirate sword, a pirate flag, a pirate ship, tropical birds, etc.

  Draw a map of the yard or area with the new symbols in the same places as the actual landmarks.  You can also print out clipart pictures and glue them to a map if you don’t like drawing pictures.  Make sure you mark the area where the treasure is hidden with a big ‘X’ and draw a picture of a treasure chest nearby.  

    This type of treasure hunt involves using a chain of written clues.  Each written clue will be hidden.  Here is a sample hunt to get you thinking:

   Clue 1 - (Give this clue to the child.)  I help water the grass and the garden.

   Clue 2 - (Clue hidden under garden hose.)  I help carry things across the yard.

   Clue 3 - (Clue hidden inside wheelbarrow.)  I hold notes and letters.

   Clue 4 - (Clue hidden inside mailbox.)  I help you fly into the air.

   Clue 5 - (Clue taped to swing.)  I give you a place to eat your lunch.

   Clue 6 - (Clue taped under picnic table.)  I keep Sparky safe from the rain.

   Clue 7 - (Clue taped to back of doghouse.)  I have leaves, but I am not a tree.   

Hidden Treasure - (Treasure chest hidden under bush.)  Put a note with the treasure that congratulates the child on finding the treasure!  

  This treasure hunt is similar to the written clue chain, but you use photos instead.  If your child is really young, you can take pictures of the actual location where the next clue is hidden.  For example, hand your child the first photo which could be a picture of the tree in your backyard.  Then the child will go to the tree and find an envelope with a photo inside.  The photo inside may show a picture of your mailbox, etc.  Use this chain to lead the child directly to the treasure.    

If your child is a little older, you can take pictures of the location that are a little bit more challenging.  For example you can zoom in on a texture found at the location.  Or you could take a picture that only shows one piece of the location.  Using the same examples as above, the first picture might be a close up of the bark on the tree.  The second picture might be the view from laying underneath your mailbox, etc.  

  Make sure you take the pictures well ahead of time and print them off at home or get them developed.  Each picture can be sealed in an envelope and left in a chain so that the picture found at each location leads your child to another location with another picture.  The final location will be the location where you hid the treasure.  Be ready to snap a picture of your child finding the treasure for the final photo of the hunt!

    Whatever secret treasure and style of treasure hunt you choose, your treasure hunt is sure to delight your child.  Don’t be surprised when your child starts begging you to plan another treasure hunt!