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Treasure hunts have become
increasingly popular for adults in the movies, in games, and in real life. As parents are constantly faced with finding
new and creative ways to entertain their children, whether it be on family
night or with friends and classmates at birthday parties and other
get-togethers, why not let your kids in on the fun by orchestrating an
amazingly unique and fun treasure hunt just for them.
Incorporating a fun, challenging,
and fast-paced treasure hunt into your party will help break the ice and bring
kids together as a team, indoors or out, following clues and solving rhymes and
riddles step-by-step in their quest to capture the prize, ultimately evoking
squeals of excitement at each clue discovered.
Not only are treasure hunts relatively inexpensive, they are unique,
memorable, interactive, and educational adventure games that challenge the
imagination and can be played again and again.
Most importantly, kids love them!
Although a pirate theme is the most logical choice
for a treasure hunt party, it may not be your child's first choice, and this
certainly should not limit your ability to adapt a treasure hunt to any party
theme. Treasure hunts aren’t just for
pirates. Tradition has dictated that pirates are the great treasure hunters,
but the fact of the matter is treasure hunts are loved by boys, girls, and
grown-ups alike, and make a great addition to any party theme. Treasure hunts can be simply adapted with a
storyline and a variety of decorations to fit into any party plan.
For example, to adapt a treasure hunt for a superhero-themed
party, you might announce that a notorious villain has robbed the city bank,
and a superhero needs your help! Solve
the clues he has left behind to recover the loot and save the city! Fill a superhero bank or centerpiece with
play money, gold-wrapped candy coins, and other favors to later sneak away
during the party before announcing the theft and sending the crime fighters on
their mission. Other themes and
decorations might revolve around a princess whose jewels were stolen, the
latest TV cartoon characters, pop idols, a holiday, or your child might want to
create their own theme.
That
being said, be careful not to fall into the parent trap of spending a small
fortune buying themed party goods.
Consider purchasing just a few themed bright and colorful decorations
and/or centerpieces, and then either complement them with less expensive
coordinating party supplies and decorations, or make your own -- there are
plenty of great fun ways to put you and your child's artistic talent to work to
customize your party.
Some great craft ideas kids might enjoy making or
having at their party include authentic-looking weathered pirate treasure maps,
princess crowns and jewelry, spyglasses made from paper towel rolls, piñatas
(handmade or bought), cardboard hooks inserted into the bottom of styrofoam
cups to wear on their hands like Captain Hook, paper or felt decorated pirate
hats, and bejeweled and personalized loot bags, to name only a few.
Although it requires a little creativity, time, and resources,
you can make and stage your own treasure hunt game to play as a group or
competitively in teams. Design and hide
10 clever clues that lead players progressively from one clue to the next,
hidden amongst common objects, to ultimately discover the hidden treasure,
which might be sacks of “loot" consisting of gift certificates, cupcakes, party
favors, toys, gold foil-wrapped coins, games, or other items valuable to
children.
Alternatively, if you're short on time, money, and
party ideas like many busy parents and party planners, online sites such as
Treasure-Adventure.com offer affordable complete treasure hunts with pre-made
custom clues full of rhymes and riddles that kids love to solve, the design of
which can be the most time-consuming and difficult part of preparing a treasure
hunt.
Although the treasure hunt will likely be the main
attraction since it is the most action-packed and engaging, don't necessarily
limit other activities that might complement the hunt such as a cannonball toss
using bean bags or water balloons, "Walk the Plank" using a shallow
pool full of plastic alligators and snakes, pan for gold using gold
spray-painted rock nuggets, dress in costumes, hold a peg-leg relay, make a
castle or pirate ship out of an appliance box, play "Blackbeard
says," etc. -- the sky is the limit! Applying a little
creativity will leave your party guests with a lot of lasting memories of their
adventurous day at your child’s party.
Treasure hunts are also not just limited to children
or birthday parties, but are perfect for family fun night, slumber parties,
classroom parties, picnics, and other group events. Treasure hunts
bring parties alive with hours of challenging and fun entertainment, with the
thrill of the hunt along with the solving of puzzles often being the most
enjoyable and memorable part of the day. And don't think you can't top your
last party. By using a variety of
themes, new treasure hunt clues and decorations, and a little innovation, you
can host many more truly fabulous parties for years to come that never go out
of style and your guests will talk about long after the party is over. “If you're up to the challenge, spyglass and compass
in hand, yer prize is in sight, so let the adventure begin!"
To purchase inexpensive ready-to-play treasure hunt
games online and find more valuable information on treasure hunt party
planning, visit Treasure-Adventure.com online at http://www.treasure-adventure.com. Games come complete with hiding guides to
help you coordinate and pull off the perfect hunt and bring your party to life,
come in a variety of themes such as for outdoor and classroom events, and the
Treasure-Adventure.com web site also offers party supplies, free downloadable
kids activities and games, party and craft ideas such as how to make an
authentic looking pirate map, treasure hunting tips, and legends of lost
treasure.
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