Stuck indoors on a wet afternoon? A treasure hunt is one of the easiest ways to turn a dull rainy day into an adventure the kids will beg to do again. This indoor treasure hunt uses photo clues you take yourself, so it costs nothing beyond a bit of planning time, and you can tailor it to suit any age or house.
What you’ll need
- A camera or smartphone
- A printer (optional — see our no-printer version below)
How to set up your indoor treasure hunt
1. While the kids are out of the house or otherwise occupied, grab your camera or phone and take photos around the house and garden of things that will make good clues.
2. Aim for variety — furniture, toys, books, household objects, even the family pet if you have one.
3. For older children, make it trickier by photographing things at an unusual angle, or objects moved from their normal spot. The harder the puzzle, the longer the fun lasts.
4. Print out the photos, then hide them around the house one by one, so that finding each clue leads on to the next.
5. Build in some exercise by sending them up and down stairs, or from one end of the house to the other, between clues.
6. Leave the treasure with the final clue as their reward for finishing the hunt.
No printer? No problem
If you don’t have a printer handy, you can still run the same game with hand-written clues instead of photos. Try riddles like “Where you find breakfast” to send them to the cereal cupboard, or “Your next clue is at Fido’s favourite spot” if you have a pet with a well-known napping corner. This version works just as well and takes even less prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a printer to do an indoor treasure hunt?
No. While printed photo clues are a fun option, you can just as easily use hand-written riddle clues instead — the game works the same way either way.
What age is an indoor treasure hunt suitable for?
It suits a wide age range. Keep clues simple and obvious for younger children, and make them trickier — odd angles, moved objects, riddles — for older kids who want more of a challenge.
How long does it take to set up?
Setting up takes as long as it takes to snap a dozen or so photos (or think up a handful of riddles) and hide them around the house — usually well under half an hour, and often less time than the kids will spend enjoying it.
Can I do this outdoors as well?
Yes — the same idea works in the garden or a park. This particular version is designed for a rainy day, so it’s built around indoor spaces, but there’s nothing stopping you extending it outside if the weather allows.
You might also enjoy
- Setting Up a Kids Treasure Hunt
- 50 Rainy Day Activities for Kids
- 50 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids
Save this for the next rainy day
Not ready to set it up today? Bookmark this page or add it to your rainy-day activity list so it’s there the next time you need a plan in a hurry.
Have you tried an indoor treasure hunt with your kids? We’d love to hear how it went — share your tips in the comments below.
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