Archive for the ‘What/Where’ Category
Sunday, August 5th, 2007Nikki,
I was able to get several good ideas for my treasure hunt. I’m putting together a birthday party for my son and two nieces on the last weekend of January, (the 27th & 28th). My son turns 16 on the 20th, one niece turns 18 on the 23rd, and another niece turns 17 on the 26th. This party will consist mostly of teenagers, and their parents with a total group of about 35-40 people. My son and both nieces wanted to invite all their friends who have ATV’s, and play games that could involve ATV’s. We have a wooded area that consists of about 320 acres, and most attendees will be staying and camping on Saturday night. The treasure hunt seemed like a good idea.
Since most everyone participating will be riding an ATV, I wanted to limit the number of teams to only 3 or 4, with responsible adults leading each group. I need to emphasize that this is not a race because I don’t want anyone riding too fast and risk anyone getting injured. Also, only about 1/2 of those attending are familiar with our land. Some of those attending has never even been there before.
At this time, I’m thinking I will probably use GPS coordinates to direct each team from one location to the other. On our property, we have a small pond, we have 4 access gates (chain link), an old cabin with an old outhouse, and several deer hunting stands that would all make for good hiding places. By the way, our party is in East Texas.
Steve Carver, Texas USA
Saturday, August 4th, 2007Hello.
I read your book yesterday. I will being doing the Scavenger Hunt some time in July. I have until then to get it together. I am doing it for an age group of 12-17 both boys and girls. There should be approximately 6 girls and 6 boys. If invite another group it could potentially be more. For two years I had a neighborhood girls ministry. We use to do all kinds of things. That has been over for about 2 years. Recently I had a bible study for 12 year old boys in my home. That’s been over for a month or so. Both groups have asked me to have ’something’ for them this summer. They miss me, ahhhh. ha ha just kidding - they like being entertained. Anyway, both were bible study type deals in the past. The hunt doesn’t have to do with the bible BUT I am sending them a paper with some short scripture fill in the blanks…that will be their ticket to come to the hunt. I’m thinking about having it in our downtown area - we live a small community. We can be at the park and they will have access to the city building, library, post office, tennis courts, river front, businesses, restaurants, etc… They can work for a while - break for lunch - and go again. I think it will be the boys against the girls. I have a lot of ideas running through my head. I’m going to need to go back through your book and write things down this time. I still need to think about what they have to do, why, what the prizes are etc… Lots to do yet.
Thanks for taking the time to help.
Michelle Green, Kentucky USA
Friday, August 3rd, 2007Hey there,
Thanks for the follow up emails on the treasure hunt game. I’m using your party as a ’springboard’ for a bigger event… I’m integrating some cool coins, actual treasure, a cool map, and a cryptex, over 3 different birthday parties between August and December for 7-10 year olds (and helped by their parents)
I’ll let you know how it all goes! Thanks so much,
Jewels Hanson, California USA
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007Nikki -
We are planning a Scavenger Hunt Party for a bunch of 8th grade girls (14yrs old). 10-20 girls. The area will be around our neighborhood. We were thinking about having the girls take digital pictures of the things they need to find, or tasks they need to perform. Then setting up slide show of the pictures when they get back, so they can all have a laugh. Thanks.
Rich Russell, USA
Sunday, July 29th, 2007Hi Nikki,
Yes we are planning a secret agent party for our ten year old boy, Matthew.
We plan to set up the stations as ‘training grounds’ with tasks of mental, physical, disguise, agility, teamwork and code breakers. We will be using our yard and house as the playing area. We have a dark little room downstairs where we are planning to set up a ‘laser grid’ for them to master and then get to one of the activities (which will be set up under a single light :).
We will have about 10 boys all together who are pretty bright and agile so we are trying to come up with some good puzzles, etc… We are having trouble thinking of a teamwork challenge but otherwise, we have supplies for the spy disguises (mustache, dark glasses, spy hats, fake ids, etc..) and we will use the walking on a line activity in conjunction with our physical training (ie, obstacle course, which includes low crawl, jumping rope, push ups, etc…). We are excited about all of it–my husband is helping me think up some ideas too.
I was thinking of wrapping chocolate bars in gold paper to look like gold bricks to put in the ’safe’. All of your ideas were a great jumping-off point to go with our theme. Thanks so much for the boost’
Kim Lloyd, Illinois USA
Saturday, July 28th, 2007I am looking for a unique idea for a company party. There are about 15 employees and their families so a total of about 30 people. I would like to do this in a park and have all ages participate—mix it up a little so people get to know each other.
Laurie Oliver, California USA
Friday, July 27th, 2007I am planning a treasure hunt for our youth group of approx 15 teenagers in a church hall.
Carol Caven, UK
Thursday, July 19th, 2007I am planning a treasure hunt activity day with my youth group at church. I have a small group but it consist of stair step ages (don’t think I even have 2 the same age). We are on a limited budget.
Tami, Orlando, USA
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007Hello Mrs. Wilson,
I was pleased to find your treasure hunt web-site through Google. I have been creating different games and activities for the past 6 years for my soon to be 11 year old, and my creativity seemed drained this year. When I came across your web-site, I thought of so many ways I could use your book and your ideas. I am going to try it on Dec. 2nd with my son and his friends, but also have three young daughters who would love it in the years to come. I am also a school teacher and thought I could use it with my students at school or even for a fun staff party. The ways to use this are endless, thank you for your hard work.
Pat yourself on the back,
Donna Wolford, Ohio USA
Tuesday, July 17th, 2007I had my husband’s 35th birthday party yesterday, a surprise scavenger hunt that was unbelievably successful! I had three teams set up, and I made it so that each team had to have my husband with them to complete certain selected tasks (which were typically different for each team). I traveled with my husband as he kept getting cell phone calls to run off and meet this team or that team, so I got to interact with every team pretty extensively during the hunt. I have never seen so many people having such a good time and laughing so much in my entire life. As the organizer, it was the best feeling in the world! One guest wrote an email and said: ‘I wanted to tell you what a FABULOUS time we had yesterday. It was, in my humble opinion, the perfect party. Thanks again for everything. You really, truly outdid yourself.’
From your tools, I combined suggestions and sample items from the photo hunt, the hunt at the mall, and the hunt downtown. I think the teams had the most fun (and got the funniest pictures) from these items:
- Convince a downtown bartender to invent an original drink in honor of Jason. Write down the ingredients, and get a picture of Jason sipping the drink with your team.
- Photograph at least 2 members of your team playing Dance Dance Revolution.
- Photograph one team member dipping a bare toe in the canal.
- Photograph at least 3 members of your team posing in front of Victory Field as if they were playing baseball.
- Photograph a member of your team jumping up in the air in the place where creativity blossoms. (This was the Arts Garden. They really got into jumping high for the shot while trying not to distract the people listening to the classical pianist inside!)
I also had a funny misunderstanding. I gave four points if you could get your whole team into pictures in these three situations 1) with a stroller; 2) with a clock that read 2:45; and 3) with a couple who have been together less than 2 years. One team thought you had to have all three at once (my fault), so they nabbed a father with a stroller, ran into a clock store, borrowed a clock and set it for 2:45, had the hands of the clock fall off in the process, bribed the father not to leave, got another clock, set that, and grabbed a young couple. They definitely won the prize for ‘best story’!
I am attaching a few pictures. Thanks for making yourself available and providing great tools, which not only gave me good ideas but boosted my confidence in the process. All the adults had so much fun that my son is now demanding a scavenger hunt birthday party for kids on his upcoming birthday.
Best regards
Ann D’Angelo, Indiana USA
Saturday, July 14th, 2007Thanks for all the emails and help. I am interested in your help and ideas. Our event is an annual event (which if all goes well I would like to make the scavenger hunt an annual part of it).
The name of our event is called ‘Livin, Lovin, Luau’. It is a luau for Dads and kids ages 0-6 years. We host it at our local YMCA. We are confined to one large gym. My idea was to have all the dad/kid teams who wanted to participate follow a series of clues that would lead them from one station to another throughout the room. Some of the stations or games that we will have are: Play dough station, Coconut Bowling, Crazy Totem Poles, Fish craft, Infant Island (area for small child and infants to explore), coloring station, Photo station (we always take a picture of each child/ren with their dad to take home), Pin the Tail on the fish, Ring toss, Snack area, Fish Flying, Limbo, Shave your dad, Fishing game, Reading area, Pin the Banana on the tree, Hanging Monkeys.
I am sure I can come up with a great hunt. The last item would be at the area where the dad fills out an evaluation of the event and the child gets a special treat bag of goodies. Thanks
Cori Laux, Wisconsin USA
Friday, July 13th, 2007Dear Nikki,
The treasure hunt party is the day after Thanksgiving for my son’s 13th birthday.
There will probably only be 3-4 other boys and several adult family members (about 8?) We live in a neighborhood where there are large yards and a lot of woods around so I had planned to bury the treasure (yet to be determined) in the woods. I think a map would probably be the best idea but not sure. We live in North Central Florida in Gainesville.
Eva Dimitrov, Florida USA
Friday, July 13th, 2007I appreciate your service.
I had a New Year’s Eve treasure hunt with about 50 young adults from church. Good times! It was a success! I tweaked the hunt so that it was ‘global’, so the teams were traveling to different world countries, and the challenges ranged from a basketball free-throw challenge (Lithuania) to a suduko challenge (Japan) to creating an encouraging note for our missionary friend in Africa (Tanzania).
An interesting thing happened at the end…one of the more enterprising guys figured out where the treasure map was hidden without having all the clue pieces (i.e., his team hadn’t completed the last task, but he still figured out the clue). Thank goodness for the combination code…it saved me from having to make up rules on the spot. He couldn’t take the map without having the combination code. As it turned out, another team won instead!
We had a good time…thank you for sharing your organizational skills with all of us!
PS: If I get some photos, I’ll email them to you
Christine Brackett, California USA
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007I am planning a surprise 16th birthday party with a pirate theme for my daughter. The pirate treasure hunt will take place in a park in Yucaipa, CA. The party is for girls around my daughter’s age. I have planned a treasure hunt around the park, enlisted some helpers and plan to ‘bury’ the treasure in a painted styrofoam chest filled with gifts from the .99 cent store under some bushes. We will begin by kidnapping my daughter from a local ice cream shop and proceed to the park for the treasure hunt. I think it will be great fun and I hope the girls will dress up in pirate garb. If not, I have some props for them. I’ll let you know how it went after Friday.
RobAnne Burns, California USA
Monday, July 9th, 2007Yes, I’m working on setting up the Treasure Hunt. Have read it through twice and am making lists of things to do and items to buy, and understanding how to begin the game and follow through.
The party will be in Fairview Park (a suburb of Cleveland), Ohio, on Saturday, December 9, 2006 in my home.
The special occasion is the 43rd Annual Donahue Family Party- for immediate family only: parent, 5 children, spouses, and grandchildren. There will be a total of 22 people. The age range is 10 years to 70. There are 7 teenagers, 12 adults, 3 children. The theme of the party is ‘Memories.’ The theme will be played out with old photos, funny family experiences, music and penny candy from the eras of the attendees.
The party consists of cocktails and appetizers, followed by games, dinner, gifts, more games, and sometimes entertainment. Last year we had a juggler/magician. This year I think the Treasure Hunt, Mystery game, and a couple of other games will be enough.
I am still working on clues and challenges. I think I understand how the game works but will email you if I have a problem. Sounds like it will be fun.
Thank you for your email
Julie Donahue, Ohio USA
Monday, July 9th, 2007Nikki,
We are having a St. Patrick’s day theme. March 17th, they will be searching for ?the pot of gold?. I have purchased a black pot from Hobby Lobby and filled with candy with hopes of the children sharing (age 9).
I wrapped the candy in the top with gold wrapping paper to resemble gold. We have all the stations taken care of. The teams and stations all fit around St Patrick?s day. I now need to get the clue and the treasure map done. We have a huge back yard fenced and that is where we are planning to have the entire treasure hunt. I was just going to set stations up around the back yard.
My husband has said that he was going to put the treasure map around some bricks in the back yard. Also the pot of gold will be in the shed in the back yard. (my husband has built a shelf over the door and that is where the pot of gold will be! This is the first treasure hunt, and I will be planning another one (Easter) three weeks later for my 11 year old
Jennifer Hatcher, Alabama USA
Saturday, July 7th, 2007Nikki:
Have purchased your guide, and am I’m planning the treasure hunt for this weekend. Details are below.
Number of children: 8
Ages: Mostly 5-6 year old boys, plus 2 3-year old girls (who won’t probably participate as much as just ‘run with the pack’)
Theme: Lewis & Clark/Exploring (it’s my son’s 6-year birthday party and he’s very ‘into’ Lewis & Clark at present). He is also a big fan of treasure hunt-type TV programs, e.g. The Amazing Race and Treasure Hunters.
Location: We have a very large garden (>1 acre) on a hill so there are plenty of places to hide things. It’s fairly ‘woody’ (lots of trees) around the house, so I thought to bury the treasure in one of the more woody sections, with the clues hidden more in the garden proper.
Ideas: It’s not a big group so I’m not sure it makes much sense to do teams. Rather I thought (in keeping with the Lewis & Clark theme) the boys could be a band of explorers, and they all have to work together to solve the puzzles, find the clues, and locate the treasure.
What with the size of the garden and the hilly locale, the game could be pretty tiring. I’m thinking about 6 clues total - does that sound about right? Basically this is the basic plan:
* hide a series of ‘artifacts’ around the garden in the form of foreign coins or similar items. (This is stolen from the ‘Treasure Hunters’ TV show.) When the team finds the artifact, they can turn it in to me for their next clue.
The ‘artifacts’ would be hidden at locations that lend themselves to clues - for example, ‘I’m white and curvy and used to live in the sea’ (seashell), ‘Where the birds go to eat’ (bird feeder), etc.
* when each artifact is found, the team gets a clue to the next artifact, and a piece of the treasure map. At a couple of points in the game, the team has to either solve a puzzle or complete a task in order to get the next clue. Ideally, the tasks would be ones where the whole team could participate simultaneously (for example, the picking-up-peas game) and then once any one person (or perhaps two people?) have completed the task, then the entire team gets to move on. Other ideas I have in this genre would be kicking a soccer ball into a goal from a distance.
Thanks for your help!
Howard Sewell, Washington USA
Saturday, July 7th, 2007I just downloaded the info and skimmed it - will seriously read it all today and start planning my party. I give lots of different types of parties, mostly for my family. We have had our own Survivor and Amazing Race parties, and others.
I plan to have the treasure hunt on Jan 22 for my husband’s 58th birthday. We live in Hawaii - have a 2 acre property at Mokuleia which is on the north shore of Oahu. The age range of my gang is 2-68…a real challenge for team games.
I will be happy to send you details of our hunt, if you wish, once we’ve done it. We have a very competitive and enthusiastic game playing family! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!
Aloha,
Ibby Jenkins, Hawaii
Friday, July 6th, 2007I’m still working on the details. I have 12 9-10 year old girls coming to a birthday party. We are going to have the presents ’stolen’ while they are eating dinner and the teams have to work to find the gifts. I’m working on coming up with 6 or so different things they must solve to get a piece of the final clue.
Michael Cox, Illinois USA
Thursday, July 5th, 2007I am planning a picnic for our church group, and it will be over 100 people there. We are having it at a local park and will have access to it only 1 hr before people will start arriving. The park is a large grass area with a shelter in the middle.
Calvin Hairston,
Thursday, July 5th, 2007Hi Nikki,
I am just getting started on planning the pirate themed treasure hunt for my sons 6th birthday party. I appreciate all your email and hope it goes smoothly. We will be doing it in a park with different color pirate teams depending on how many kids are coming. I am changing the tasks a little bit. Also instead of burying the treasure we are going to have a hanging treasure box pi?ata in a secret location at the end of the hunt. I am in the process of collecting all the materials and need to decide where the treasure will be hiding so I can work on drawing a treasure map. I cant decide if the 6 clues are going to be actual pieces of a puzzle showing the place the map is hiding or 6 cards with riddles so they can solve them and put all clues together to find location of map. This is a lot of fun for me too! This is the activity for the party so I hope it will keep them busy for an entire hour. I will keep you posted!
Nomi Gilbert, New Jersey USA
Monday, July 2nd, 2007Hi Nikki,
I have logged on and played around with planning our first treasure hunt.
This one is for our son’s 6th birthday party on Saturday, October 7th. His birthday is actually the 8th but because of other activities, the party is a day early. I’m very excited about the treasure hunt. His party has a pirate theme and this is a perfect game. I was having trouble being very creative with clues for the hunt and while snooping around the internet I found your site and couldn’t wait to try it out. So…I’m off to fine tune the treasure hunt for the kiddos and I’ll let you know how everything turns
out after the party!
Thanks,
Anna Quist Anna Quist, Texas USA
Sunday, July 1st, 2007I haven’t had time to read the book yet. Was hoping it wasn’t an on-line book, but…
We have a TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) group with 50 people. This is held outside on a large lawn. In case of rain, it is held in a large…huge garage. So teams are not a problem.
I’ll be in touch when we move on, but won’t review until after the weekend.
Thank you for asking.
Shelley Chorney, Maine USA
Saturday, June 30th, 2007Nikki ~ Just so you know it was 10 through 14 year olds that we had this for and since there were (4) birthdays in the group of cousins we spent a little more time to make every team a winner.
It was in Granbury, Texas, September. It was birthday celebrations for a set of 10 year old twins, a 13 year old niece and a 14 year old niece. Everyone was there - 8 years old through Grandparent
We combined the Treasure Hunt with a scavenger hunt and skill/speed competition, I have to tell you the kids had a ball. Thanks for everything it worked out great!!!!
Erin Linney, Texas USA
Thursday, June 28th, 2007Thank you for the info on the scavenger hunt. We will be having my son’s 12th birthday party.
It is in a few weeks. I would agree this will be an easy party to plan. I purchased your booklet because I needed items for the list and ideas for invitations.
Mindy Richard, California USA