Archive for October, 2008
Monday, October 13th, 2008I used your treasure hunt game for my son’s 12th birthday party. We were doing a haunted Luau theme and I used the Hawaiian Islands as the places that they had to visit. It was great. The program to customize the hunt worked great and was very easy to use. I had about 15 kids that were doing the hunt. They had a really good time. I was having a little trouble trying to come up with a treasure but a friend suggested lottery tickets. The kids went nuts over them. I had three sets of three lottery tickets tied together for the team that figured out the location and dug it up. But I also had single tickets in the box so that everyone got one. It was a great party game for that age group. I was really pleased with the product. I am planning on using the Halloween games bonus that I got for my son’s Halloween party at school. Thanks.
Kathy Stover, West Virginia USA
Sunday, October 12th, 2008Hi Nikki, Thank you for your treasure hunt book. We held our treasure hunt a couple of weeks ago and it consisted of 12 groups of 10 year old children, a total of 110 kids. The treasure hunt was a culminating activity of our term’s unit ‘What is your treasure?’ We had 6 stations and made up fun challenges at each stop, the children received a piece of the last puzzle each time they successfully completed a challenge. The teams eventually ended up in the principal’s office where they found a spade and a beautifully tea-stained treasure map that directed them to a sand pit on the school property where the treasure was buried. The winning team received the contents of the treasure chest and each participant a love heart with the words ‘Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also’ Matt 21:6 with a chocolate bar attached to the back. The children absolutely loved the hunt and it was a highlight of the term. Your book was so helpful in setting up the treasure hunt, which was quite complex with so many children involved. We will definitely use all of the tips again when we run the treasure unit next year. Thank you for all of your help and your follow-up emails which ensured the day was a huge success!
Anna Payne, Queensland, Australia
Saturday, October 11th, 2008Hi Nikki, Treasure Hunt was a hit, thanks. We had five stations that were in our back yard, front yard, neighbours and out in the kids hide-out in the bush behind our house. The treasure and the key (which was in an old gumboot) were hidden in the bush behind our house. When they had the treasure and the key they met in the hide-out to open the treasure. The treasure was filled with fake pearl necklaces, fake gold necklaces, glass stones (they were meant to be diamonds) and gold coins (chocolate filled). Thanks again
Tania Keenan, New South Wales Australia
Friday, October 10th, 2008The party this past weekend was a huge success. We had an away sleep-over at our family mountain house and had the treasure hunt on day 2. It went extremely smoothly and the ten girls had a blast! Last week was an insane week and I had little time to prepare, and now that I’ve done the hunt I feel like I could do it perfectly next time. Your product is exceptional and you truly saved me valuable time and stress!!! I look forward to having another hunt sometime very soon. Thanks so much,
Kirsten Salas, Georgia USA
Thursday, October 9th, 2008Thank you so much for offering this ebook. I love the treasure hunt book and I am working feverously on a party for next week.
Thank you so much.
Jane Porpora, New York USA
Thursday, October 9th, 2008The pirate treasure hunt was great. The kids had a lot of fun. The only thing I changed is I had the kids put their colored bandannas on first so everyone would know what color they were. I also replaced the gold earrings with tattoos at that station. The winning team really got into digging up the treasure. It was great to see girls really get into the game. Thanks for everything!!
Catherine Ferguson, Utah USA
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008Our treasure hunt was based on the pirates of the Caribbean II dead mans chest characters. It was a swarm of fun for all and a huge hit, participants and watchers alike enjoyed the games and puzzles and the treasure at the end!! Thank you for the kit it was a big hit. A lot of work transforming it to my theme on the computer. But so worth it. We had three teams of 3-4 boys ages 11-14. Thanks again
Monique Rogers, Georgia USA
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008Hi
I am pleased to say that I have received the treasure hunt party planner downloads without any problems and from first glance it looks like it will be very helpful in helping me plan my event.
I am organising a treasure hunt around the island of Guernsey for a friends Hen Party. There will be around 15 people women between 20 - 30 and the Treasure Hunt will most likely have a mission impossible/Bond girls theme.
regards
Katherine Spencer, Guernsey UK
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008We had a great time with the treasure hunt. Our big birthday party involves my two daughters, now 2 & 6, and their dad. All birthdays within 10 days. We had about a dozen kids into the treasure hunt. The booty in the treasure chest was used for goody bags for the young guests. The kids had a great time and were ready for cake afterwards. Between the bounce house, riding a real horse (we have a friend who brought one), and the treasure hunt the kids were totally worn out. Then it became Dad’s party, and the adults had a great time also. We did a treasure hunt for dad, and he was completely confused (we meant to do that) and had a great time.
It was wonderful that I was able to set this up with very little effort. By setting it up so that it doesn’t matter if something goes wrong, everyone wins - everyone enjoyed it. I received lots of compliments on how great the party was. I look forward to using this on other occasions, as well as when the kids are just bored. Thanks for your efforts - which saved me from making them.
Sandy Walkington, Texas USA
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008Yes, indeed, our Treasure Hunt was successful and fun. I used your program more for inspiration and ideas rather than exactly following it. We had about 10 children ages 4 to 14. The event was a neighborhood block party. I broke them into two teams and started them in different spots of the hunt. They only were to pick up the clue for their color team. It seemed hard enough and yet easy enough so as to not frustrate.
It certainly entertained the children and had them running all over the neighborhood. Both teams completed the hunt.
Mary Ann Anderson, Illinois USA
Monday, October 6th, 2008The treasure hunt went great! All the girls dressed up in pirate garb. My daughter was totally surprised. They all enjoyed the treasure hunt part and everything worked out perfectly. Your e-book was a great guide to planning an exciting party. Thank you!
RobAnne Burns, California USA
Sunday, October 5th, 2008Thanks Nikki,
My daughter has now had her 13th birthday party. It was successful event! We have just over 1000m block or 1/4 acre block and the weather stayed fine for the evening. My daughter and her 15 guests started the treasure hunt half hour after the guests arrived and teams were picked by taking a slip of paper which had the team colours were written down.
The teams comprised of random members, some teams of three, some teams of two. We only had two officials so we modified the game slightly. 45 mins after the game started it was already dark so all challenges were held in the front yard under flood lights. All the girls participated, even the ones who don’t normally participate in parties and games. I split the game in two parts. First part, all the clues were answered and the code collected and the winners were declared.
We then stopped for dinner, a tag tail game, bubbles and glow in the dark necklaces kept them busy for another hour or so. Then the second part of the treasure hunt continued. The winning team received their treasure map (tea stained, burnt around the edges, skull and cross bones etc) which led them to a starting point, which then led them to the back garden shed and with torches they found the next map and the key which then led them to the spade and onto the treasure buried in the back yard.
The treasure tin contained lollies, mini chocolate bars and caramels that were all wrapped in gold wrappers. This was the only sweets that the girls had. The theme was ‘all for one and one for all’ so the contents of the treasure chest was shared out. Everyone had a great time and one girl stated that she was going to have a treasure hunt for her birthday! One girl, notorious for not participating and going home early asked her Mum for a half hour extension. Four of my daughter’s friends slept over and we showed ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’
I found and downloaded your treasure hunt game on the Thursday, shopped Friday afternoon and the party was held Saturday afternoon, plus my daughter attends her Art school Saturday Morning and I attend a guitar lesson Saturday afternoon so I only arrived home 15 mins before the first guests arrived. My daughter and her friend swept and decorated the garage, which we tend to keep tidy so we can use it as our party room. I basically pulled this together in three days with minimal help from my overworked husband. After the party my DH and I tidied up and were sitting down for our well deserved decaf coffee by 10.20pm.Thanks again Nikki we all had an excellent time. Cate from downunder
Cate Ranford, Western Australia
Sunday, October 5th, 2008Hi,
We actually had our scavenger hunt this past Friday. I combined several of your ideas and planned a mall scavenger hunt for my daughters birthday (she turned 11). We had pictures and items that had to be found (that you couldn’t buy) and some that you had to buy. She and all of her friends had a great time!
The assurance of that came when several of her friends told their mothers they wanted them to plan a scavenger hunt for their birthdays.
Your e-book was amazing. I was worried when my daughter asked me to plan a scavenger hunt as I had never done it before and my mother (who used to plan them for my sister and I) passed away.
So, add me to your testimonials because I am a very satisfied customer and will use your planning book for years to come!
Thanks,
Lisa Elwess, Arizona USA
Saturday, October 4th, 2008Hi Nikki–
Thanks so much for this! We are frantically trying to get ready to have 20 eight-year olds over on Friday afternoon! Luckily we have a good weather forecast and we will be outside in our yard with them. Thanks goodness for having purchased your Pirate Theme pack—it is going to be terrific as a result.
Okay, so my questions. What happens if one team finishes their task and they move to the next location and another team is there?
Also, given I have the 20 kids (although only 18 will do the treasure hunt part of the party)–do you recommend six teams of three?
Also, do you think it makes more sense to have some of the locations in the back yard and some in our front yard versus having all of them in the same general area?
Can you let me know your thoughts?
Many thanks!!
Elizabeth
————
Hi Elizabeth
Glad to hear you are so enthusiastic about your treasure hunt - I?m sure you will have loads of fun.
So to answer your questions: yes, sometimes a team will get to a station before the team in front has completed the task. I suggest that you have the facilities for two or more teams to complete the task at the same time. Most of my suggested tasks will work fine for that anyway. It may mean a few extra props at the station for some tasks.
Six teams of three sounds just great.
And yes - locations in both front and back yards would work fine - I like to have them spread out if possible.
It sounds like it will be an excellent party - let me know how it goes!
Best wishes
Nikki
Elizabeth Olszewski, Massachusetts USA
Friday, October 3rd, 2008Everyone had a great time!! I am so glad I purchased your treasure hunt - I had looked at some other websites and books and they didn’t compare to ‘The Treasure Hunt Party Game.’
Thank you so much for helping me throw an incredible event.
Judith Block, California USA
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008I am in Montreal, NC, USA planning a birthday party for my grandson and his friends ages 10-12, though some younger brothers and sisters and parents will probably join in. I am the grandmother writing on the grandfathers e-mail. We live on the side of a mountain with steep slopes, lots of stone steps, a creek, a large goldfish pond and lots of good places to hide things. The party is an annual occasion with most of the children running wild, chasing each other, in what appears to an adult to be an aimless fashion. A few stay inside quietly playing board games. So…
this year the treasure hunt seems like a good idea and maybe all will engaged. I think they are definitely old enough! The party is scheduled for Sunday, June 5. I like the fact that you are interested in feed back and so enthusiastic about what you do! Sincerely,
Gale Hussey, North Carolina USA
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008Hi Nikki-
I am planning a ‘treasure hunt’ party. There will be around 10 kids between the ages of 9 and 12. Some parents may stay for the party as well. We are having the party (in one of the outdoor pavilions) at a local state park. I plan to set up several stations (in the pavilion itself) where the kids have to complete a ‘challenge’ in order to continue (as you suggest in the original plan). The park is a historical civil war site, and has a rather long trail and about a dozen historical markers scattered along the trail. I obviously can’t dig a hole at the park, and I am hesitant to place the ‘treasure’ along the trail for fear that someone else will encounter it and either take it or move it. Ideally, I would love for each of the kids to have a more individualized ‘treasure hunt’ at the end of completing the activities at the tables in the pavilion. I also thought that maybe the kids could work in pairs, and that would be good.
So here is my idea at the moment…… After breaking up into pairs, the kids would complete each of about a half dozen activities in the pavilion area. They would pick up a piece of the puzzle at the completion of each activity (again, I have no problem with devising 4 or 5 different puzzles - one individualized for each team). So, at the completion of the activities the kids will have either a map or a picture (or both) of their final destination. They would have to locate this destination and answer a question, or some other challenge type thing in order to get the treasure. Once the kids complete the final question or ‘challenge’ they would return to the pavilion and turn in the answer (or whatever) in order to receive their treasure. The treasure itself will be a little box that includes the party favors, so each child will get a ‘treasure’. The part where I have the dilemma is what the actual final destination or challenge would be. I want it to be fun for the kids, and not like work or a school field trip, for example.
Time hiking the trail with the markers could be an issue as well. I hiked the trail this morning, alone, and at a pretty good pace, and it took me about an hour. I only have about 3 hours for the party in all. Although I don’t mind hiking a portion of the trail, and we will probably end up letting the kids do that, I don’t want to be rushed, or hiking around in the woods for a large part of the party. I would rather the kids and parents relax and enjoy themselves in a more freeform way…. if that makes sense.
If you have any ideas, that would be great. I love the initial plan. It’s perfect. I’m going to modify it a little to meet our particular needs.
Thanks.
Sam Neil, Virginia USA
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008I did a treasure hunt last year for the kids at my church (I am the children’s pastor). I wanted all of them (3) teams to find a treasure, so I marked the envelopes 1,2,3, at each station so that by the end each team had a different map to a different treasure. It was easy to use with your format. I am hoping to do something again this summer, but I want to make it even better! I look forward to any tips you have for me. Thanks
Bridget Marotz, Texas USA