Kids usually love looking for treasure, but we never had any such games happening around us, so I decided to create one myself and introduce my kids to the thrill of treasure hunting.
The first one I organized was when my daughter was 6 and my son was just 2. Since only my daughter could read at the time, I added a simple rule: they had to work as a team to find the treasure. And they did! I was happy to see them cooperate, giggle and thrilled when they finally uncovered the little gifts I had hidden for them.
Later, I planned an Easter bunny hunt for five kids. Yes, there was chaos. Yes, there were tears. Yes, there were a few ‘that’s mine!’ moments but in the end, everyone was running around joyfully and nothing could beat the excitement on their faces when they got their hands on the chocolate bunnies, almost half an hour later.
When some of my friends asked how I managed to pull it off and whether I spent days planning it, I realized that this might just be another of my hidden talents. Turns out, creating a simple but fun treasure hunt for kids doesn’t need a ton of effort, just a bit of imagination and good hiding spots!
Here is a step-by-step guide to organizing a simple but fun activity for kids to keep them occupied and active, and away from the screens.
Treasure hunts can be tailored for any occasion. Whether it’s a birthday party, a festive celebration or just a regular holiday, adventure games are a fun way to keep everyone engaged. The one I created for Halloween had a few clues related to Halloween and the kids were asked to wear their costumes to be eligible for their first clue. Consider what suits your audience best and plan your theme accordingly.
Figure out how many seekers will be joining in. If it’s a big group, you may want to make the hunt a bit longer to keep everyone entertained. The goal is for all the kids to have fun and feel excited about the treasure they find. If you’re working with a mix of ages, splitting them into smaller groups can help run things more smoothly. Most importantly, plan the hunt in a way that’s safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
The treasure can be anything fun like chocolates, chocolate bunnies, toys, books or even a mix of goodies. I usually go with a variety of chocolates for the hunts I set up. You can also place a small prize with each clue if you like. Since most of my hunts happen partly outdoors (and Bangalore’s unpredictable weather surprises everyone), I prefer to keep all the treasures safely at the final spot.
List down all the spots where you plan to hide the clues and number them in order. Avoid placing them near anything fragile. Like I steer clear of potted plants, glass items and musical instruments, just to be safe, and me, sane. And remember, this is your master list and is top secret. Strictly for your eyes only!
Take an A4-sized sheet (I usually repurpose the rough ones we save for games, crafts or list-making). Cut or tear it into small 3×3-inch chits. The number of clues depends on how long you want the search to last. Once you’ve organized a few hunts, you’ll know. For the first time, make around 20 – 24 chits.
Crafting fun and engaging clues is key to making the quest for hidden treasure truly exciting. Think riddles, puzzles or simple maps because kids love the challenge of solving them. When I first started, I kept it easy with clues like, ‘Look under the brown rug,’ or ‘Check behind the open window on the ground floor, ’ etc.
As my kids grew older, I started getting more creative with word games like word searches that reveal a key letter, math problems that lead to a number-based clue or even basic chemistry hints like using H₂O to point to a water bottle. The goal is to keep their minds busy and their curiosity piqued.
Always consider the age group and energy level of your participants before designing your clues. That way, everyone stays engaged and has fun along the way.
Use basic items to help secure the clues in their hiding spots. Make sure each chit is tucked away well enough to stay hidden but not impossible to find. I, personally, rely on good old Scotch tape that sticks just about anywhere! Of course, feel free to get creative and use whatever works best for your setup.
On a separate sheet, mention the ground rules for the game. These can include simple guidelines like: ‘No pushing or shoving,’ ‘Stay out of the kitchen and bathrooms,’ ‘The study room is off-limits,’ or ‘Whoever finds a clue must read it aloud before moving on.’ Setting these rules helps keep the hunt fun, fair and safe for everyone.
With your clue list and chits ready, it’s time to plant your clues in their designated spots. Number each clue to match your master list, which really helps if things go off track or a clue gets misplaced. Knowing the sequence makes it easier to guide the hunters if needed. As you go along, you may notice areas where an extra rule could help. Feel free to update your ground rules as you plant the clues.
Before kicking things off, have one of the participants read the ground rules aloud to everyone. Then, hand over the first clue and watch the excitement unfold. All the best!
So there you have it – 10 simple steps to create a treasure hunt that’s full of excitement, laughter, and maybe just a little chaos (the fun kind!). Whether it’s a rainy-day activity, a birthday surprise or a random weekend adventure, a well-planned treasure hunt is a fantastic way to get kids moving, thinking and working together.
Trust me, once you pull off your first one, you’ll realize it doesn’t take superhero powers but just a little creativity, some tape and a treasure-worthy reward at the end. If you’re lucky, like me, you may even discover that organizing a hunt is as much fun as finding the treasure! 😉
Happy creating!
Feature Photo by Eren Li
Other Photos by RDNE Stock project
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36 Comments
This treasure hunt guide feels so refreshing! As a mom, I love how it combines simplicity with fun, making memories without stress. It’s a gentle reminder that meaningful moments don’t need to be complicated—just thoughtful and full of joy. Perfect for busy families!
My didi loves planning treasure hunt but she always complains I don’t do these for her but after this plan I think she’s in for a surprise this year!
Wow, all the best, Sameeksha!
I love treasure hunts and scavenger hunts. The first ever treasure hunt i participated in was at a birthday party and i was totally thrilled when i won it!
That would have been fun, Sakshi!
Treasure hunt … I get to see this game every day only if I get time to stand in my balcony for some fresh air. My neighbourhood girl gang play this every day and one day I was curious to know what exactly they do and asked one girl in the gang named Trishika… ” Trishu Beta… what are you exactly doing why there is pen and paper in your hand”….. she smile ” Aunty we are playing treasure hunt…. I am keeping something just behind ur gate…. dont give any hint to the girls… they need to find it.” I smiled back ” OK dear… no worries”…. I kept watching them for sometime and the spark in their smile ….. Oh it made me feel happy too. That’s how I got to know about Treasure Hunt in practical terms 🙂
That’s nice, Samata!
Love this detailed post with step-by-step instructions on a proper treasure hunt. You know what, I have been on a treasure hunt only once when I was in college. It was a fun birthday surprise from my friends! 🙂
So cute, Shalini!
I have never organised any treasure hunt yet for my kids and this post of yours has fully motivated me to do so!
All the best, Mandira!
This brought back such happy memories! I’ve done a few simple treasure hunts at home too, once for Nemit’s birthday and again during Christmas and he had an absolute blast both times. Loved this step-by-step guide, it makes planning so much easier and fun!
Glad, Neha!
This reminds me of my children’s birthday parties. That was almost 40 years back. The kids used to love it. It’s good to know it’s still popular.
Not sure of its popularity now, but it sure is fun!
This is perfect activity for team building and some fun. Thanks for sharing your experience
Wow!! These are some good activities for kids to engage their curiosity
I had organised a treasure hunt for my daughter’s birthday party and the kids had too much fun. Good teamwork and oh the joy of winning in the end!
A treasure hunt is something children enjoy. It keeps them active, busy, and makes them think. You’ve shared some great tips, Cindy.
I’ve never done this before because I never thought this could be so easy. will try it next time. Thanks for the idea.
Love how you’ve covered everything one needs to pull off a fun treasure hunt without making it feel too over-the-top , Cindy. Starting from super simple clues and mixing in creative twist. Great tips for adapting on the fly and tailoring it to different spaces, too.
Thank you, Manali!
I remember planning a treasure hunt for my daughter’s birthday party a few years back. It’s a great idea for kids to seek some adventure.
This is such a refreshingly simple yet genius idea for keeping kids entertained without screen time! Love how each step builds excitement and imagination. Saving this for my sister in law!
Loved this Cindy. I’ve never tried a treasure hunt before but reading this makes me want to plan one for my kids this summer vacation . Thanks for sharing your experience, it felt so real and fun.
WOW that’s such an innovative way to keep kids busy and help them grow intellectually.
What a thoughtful and hands-on activity! I appreciate how you broke it down into manageable steps.
What a fun treasure hunt it must have been, Cindy. It made me nostalgic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my grandsons were here and we planned a treasure hunt on Easter. We hid painted eggs with clues and candy till they found the treasure. I guess space is a constraint these days. We had it all over the house and garden.
Wow, that’s lovely, Harjeet!
This is truly a treasure house of information. Maybe will use this for my grandchildren some day !
Treasure hunts are amazing, I would love to play a good one even at the age of 37! I enjoyed watching all those National Treasure movies, and recently, enjoyed The Secret of The Shiledars on jiohotstar.
I will watch that then. Thanks, Aditya!
We have had the usual party games for our kids musical chairs, passing the parcel , pin the tail but I love the idea of a treasure hunt. Kids would find it very thrilling and rewarding and this can be arranged in small spaces too. Step by step guide would come handy for newbies like me.
It’s fun, Preeti!
This sounds like so much fun! With your 10-step plan I feel the activity is totally doable. The most challenging yet creative part is preparing the clues but your idea of incorporating math problems and puzzles solves that too. It’s a great way to spark curiosity and engage their thinking skills!
The themed clues and picture ideas were inspiring. I’d really like to give this a go with my nieces and nephews only if they agree to actually listen to me for once for a change.