Treasure Hunts Aren't Just for Pirates: Turn Any Kids Party Into a Fun Adventure!

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 arent 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, piatas (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 childs 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.

Deb Bromley is co-founder of Treasure-Adventure.com, a designer of unique print 'n' play treasure hunt party games with custom fun and challenging clues for kids of all ages.

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