Are you looking to plan a birthday party for your child but you don't have any ideas for activities to keep them busy? Here you will find many solutions to allow you to organize a treasure hunt without too much stress! Indeed, getting started is not always easy, not everyone has the spirit of an entertainer, especially for a group of around ten children. However, with the right tips you can organize a treasure hunt at home, which will please everyone! Furthermore, remember, if the Treasure hunting is fun, and if you put a lot of energy into it, it’s bound to please 🙂

A) The basics of a successful treasure hunt

1) Choose your theme carefully

– Please the hero/heroine of the day

Organize a treasure hunt , it is first of all the choice of a theme. Indeed, it is important to please and question your child on the subject (unless it is a surprise). This allows you to be sure that the theme fits with what he or she wants.

– Know how to find a simple theme to set up

However, we know the themes repeat themselves often. Knights, Princesses, pirates, cowboys, etc. However, you must be prepared for any incongruous request, and think carefully whether or not it is feasible to organize a treasure hunt. What I would say is to stick to the classics as much as possible, for several reasons:

• These are themes that always please (and everyone)
• These are simpler themes to prepare with easy-to-find decorations
• They allow children to often come dressed up with their own disguise

And it is ultimately for you an assurance of being able to prepare a treasure hunt with elements of the house, or even images found on the internet.

If, despite everything, you want a treasure hunt that is out of the ordinary with original themes (Mario Bros, Gabbychat, Paw Patrol, Pokemon, Football, Lego adventurer, Harry Potter, The animals of the Savannah, Sharks... ), you can find them already created turnkey on our site!

2) The common thread

To properly organize a treasure hunt you also have to link several elements together:

– A story to tell

Let's start with a story. This may be simple, but it sets the scene for the hunting game. It thus allows children to take a first step in the adventure that awaits them. THE treasure hunts are among children's favorite games for birthdays, which is why you can move forward without fear in preparing this activity.

– Examples of stories invented in our treasure hunts:

The Pirates

• “Have you ever imagined traveling around the world, swimming with turtles and fish, finding magnificent treasures.
  Today we are going to see if you are worthy of boarding the fabulous pirate ship the “black corsair”.
  Will you be up to the challenge? To do this you will have to solve all the puzzles allowing you to bring the whole crew together to be part of it!”

Princesses

• “You’re finally old enough to go to your first ball!! So cute, a beautiful dress, a pretty hairstyle, a magnificent carriage that comes to pick you up and your prince waiting for you in front of the palace steps!!
  Your PRINCE???
  But where is he ? The unfortunate man has disappeared! Successfully complete all the puzzles so you can find the prince and get to the ball on time!”

Harry Potter

• “You all received your invitation letter to magic school a few days ago. But are you really ready to go there and study together in this prestigious school? Today we will see if you are worthy of joining the greatest wizards of all time.
  Will you be up to the challenge? To do this you will have to solve all the puzzles that the school will impose on you!! »

3) Produce material

Take the time to write the story on a sheet of paper to present it to the children. This will help them get in the mood. But above all you will see that this material will be a valuable support for you in your role as facilitator of treasure hunt 😉

4) The spirit of adventure

Whatever you decide, embrace the spirit of adventure. The children will then quickly be carried away by the game and you will be reassured. The perfect treasure hunt is yours!

B) Create clues

Once the story is told and the scene is set, the treasure hunt can start. Yes, but how will you tell me? Well the rest is simple, you need clues.

1) Prepare the clues

To easily prepare your clues and to organize a fun and playful treasure hunt, cut a sheet of paper into 10 equal pieces of paper. You must then indicate on it:

• index number from 1 to 10
• where the next clue is located
• a little catchphrase

2) The roadmap

It is also important to keep a roadmap for preparing your treasure hunt , nothing complicated but a general list of what you want to offer the children. So you can note:

• A reminder of the theme
• The story
• The hiding places for the clues (this is important because you absolutely must follow the chronological order of the clue numbering so as not to make a mistake and forget a clue along the way)
• The games you will offer
• Any other information that seems important to you

C) Prepare games

1) Games that work

– Game ideas

During the treasure hunt , it is indeed fashionable to offer games. This makes the hunting activity more fun. You can also quite easily obtain games on the internet on the chosen theme. Games that work best for organize a treasure hunt are the following :

• The game of 7 mistakes
• The labyrinths
• The puzzles
• The Charades

– Presentation of games to organize a treasure hunt

Thanks to these games, your knights, pirates or princesses will be able to carry out small missions during the treasure hunt . Make a note of when you want to offer them. For example, upon discovering clue no. 3, children will be able to read on the paper “it's time little knights to take on the challenge of the maze! »

In addition to the games presented above, you can also offer children the opportunity to solve puzzles. Keep in mind that the riddle must be simple, because in fact the main goal of the treasure hunt is to find a treasure ! I've put some examples below, but don't hesitate to let your imagination run wild!

• the treasure is hidden in a dark place, made of leather and which allows you to walk and run quickly…answer: a shoe/sneaker
• Solve this riddle: I'm a furry animal, I like to walk from branch to branch, give me a banana and I'll give you the next clue...answer: a monkey
• Rebus: 1) I say meow 2) I am the opposite of late…answer: a castle
• The next clue is in a sometimes humid place, where you like to make splashes! answer: the bathroom

3) Secret codes & messages

When it comes to secret codes, you can also come up with one or two to solve. For example, a code can allow children to discover a place once deciphered.

- Examples :

• The box code: Here is a secret code well known. Indeed, it is that of the alphabet to be deciphered. Simply choose the phrase or word you want to unscramble, then write the phrase or word in code on a piece of paper. All that remains is to give the children the coded alphabet and the coded phrase chosen by yourself.

• Let's continue with this secret code always based on the alphabet. First you have to prepare a staggered alphabet. That is to say A=B, B=C, C=D, etc…First it is important to write your alphabet on a sheet of paper, this will allow you to write your sentence correctly. Also remember to give the children the deciphering instructions in table form.

A=B	B=C	C=D	D=E	E=F
F=G	G=H	H=I	I=J	J=K
K=L	L=M	M=N	N=O	O=P
P=Q	Q=A	R=S	S=T	T=U
U=V	V=W	W=X	X=Y	Y=Z
Z=A

Example of word to decipher “MF USFTPS” = The treasure

• Finally, I present to you one last secret code which is more of a secret message, different from the others, but just as fun. Take a sheet of paper and a paintbrush. Mix water (very little) and lemon juice in a small bowl. Write with a brush or cotton swab previously dipped in the bowl on the white sheet, then let dry. Here you have just created your first secret message with invisible ink! To reveal the secret of the message, put it in front of a lamp and that's it! Guaranteed success 😉

D) Prepare diplomas and surprises

It's up to you to choose the form, however it is important to offer diplomas to the children at the end of the treasure hunt, as well as a surprise (small bag of candy for example).

E) Game ideas to complete your child’s “treasure hunt” birthday day

1) Collective games

THE collective games are indeed very interesting games to set up for a birthday, but also to be included in a treasure hunt. Thus, many games exist, however musical and/or cooperative games are simpler to set up. You can therefore offer children suitable games such as:

• Musical chairs game (cooperative mode): start by asking the children to rotate around the chairs (number of chairs – 1 the number of participants), as soon as the music stops, they will all have to try to sit on one chairs. To avoid the winner/loser system at a birthday party, keep the same number of chairs and then offer the child who was unable to sit down to come back and play immediately! And if you don't have enough chairs, eliminate by 2 or 3 😉!
• Disco game: Start the music and ask the group to dance (don't hesitate to suggest modern music that they like). When the music stops they will no longer be allowed to move. If a participant moves, he must go out and will then be the coach and must support the others. Continue until there are only 2 participants on the floor and propose a dance battle . Ask the exiting participants to applaud each of the finalists. Whoever was applauded the most wins! You can also say that the two finalists (or 4 to choose from) cannot be decided and are the winners. A variation for older children: You can make 2 teams to encourage team spirit in the game, or ask them during the disco to stand on one foot, or keep their hands in the air, or make a face to make the game even funnier when stopping the music.
• The intruder game: Ask all the participants to move around a room, they will then have to observe each other because an intruder is hiding among them. It's up to you to give the directions that will help the children find the intruder. Some examples: “The intruder has long hair”, “The intruder is wearing a T-shirt”, “the intruder has blue eyes”, etc… After a few deductions the children will find the intruder comrade and will have the right to tell him “We found you!” ". Finally, start the game again with a new intruder.

2) Outdoor games

Finally, if you are lucky enough to have a garden, do not hesitate to make the most of this play and hiding area. Indeed, outdoor games are very funny and fun, and above all numerous. We will also soon publish an article on the subject on our blog, so don't hesitate to follow us on social networks!

F) Tips for fully developing the chosen theme!

Finally, and in order to make your child's birthday the best day, don't skimp on the decor around your treasure hunt . Indeed the visual is very important to organize a treasure hunt that is sure to please, and although the decor does not have to be very sophisticated it can nevertheless delight the little monsters present at the birthday party. So remember to decorate the table, the cake, but also the main room.