A treasure hunt is one of the simplest, most fun and most cost-effective ways to keep kids entertained for an afternoon. Whether you’re marking a birthday, filling a rainy day, or just looking for a way to get the kids moving, a treasure hunt works indoors or outdoors with just a little planning.
Here’s our guide on how to set up a treasure hunt for kids, from picking your prize to writing your clues.
You can put this together at home or in the garden with just a few simple things you probably already have. It also adapts easily to different occasions — a birthday treasure hunt, an Easter hunt, or just a fun weekend activity.
Looking for more treasure hunt ideas?
Our downloadable Mykidstime indoor treasure hunt for kids has a selection of things to do, things to find, and fun activities to help pass the time.
How to Set Up a Kids Treasure Hunt
Materials for the Kids Treasure Hunt
- Treasure, of course! (a treat, coins, a small gift, or sweets)
- Paper
- Pens, pencils or markers
- Optional: a magnifying glass for each child, to add to the fun of the search
Setting Up Your Kids Treasure Hunt
1. You can set up a treasure hunt in the house, at a school or crèche, in the back garden, or in a public park. You just need to do a little planning.
2. Decide what your treasure is going to be. It could be a small gift, a yummy treat, or coins — just make sure you have as many prizes as you have kids, or one big enough prize for them to share.
3. Decide where to hide the treasure.
4. Next up are the clues. Choose 5–8 places to hide them. Each clue directs the children to the next clue, with the final one leading them to the hidden treasure.
5. Once you know where you’re hiding the clues, write simple clues for older children, or for younger children, draw a picture, cut one out of a magazine, print an image, or take a photo of where the next clue is hidden. For example, if the next clue is in the fridge, you might give them a picture of a milk carton.
6. Hide the treasure. Hide the clues. Now let’s get going!
Related read: Downloadable free activity treasure hunt for kids
Getting Your Kids Treasure Hunt Started
1. Tell the kids their “mission” is to find the hidden treasure by following a series of clues.
2. Give them the first clue. Explain that they need to share the treasure and work together to find it.
3. If they get stuck, let them ask for a hint.
4. Keep some back-up “treasure” handy, just in case there’s a disagreement over who found it first!
Related read: 10 Mega Fun Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids
Over to you now — have you had fun with a kids’ treasure hunt at home? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many clues should a kids’ treasure hunt have?
Somewhere between 5 and 8 clues works well for most treasure hunts. It’s enough to build excitement and keep children engaged without the hunt dragging on too long.
What age is a treasure hunt suitable for?
Treasure hunts can be adapted for almost any age. For younger children, use pictures or photos instead of written clues. Older children can handle short written riddles or clues that require a bit more thinking.
Can a treasure hunt be done indoors?
Yes — a treasure hunt works just as well indoors as it does in the garden or a park. Hide clues around the house in places like the fridge, under cushions, or in a favourite toy box.
What should I use as the treasure?
Small gifts, sweets, coins, or a shared treat all work well. Just make sure there’s enough for every child taking part, or one prize big enough to share.
Related Articles
- Downloadable Free Activity Treasure Hunt for Kids
- 10 Mega Fun Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Kids
- Fun Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Entertained
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