How do you create your own scavenger hunt? 

Stap 1: Think of a theme; The easiest way to set up a scavenger hunt is around a theme. If your scavenger hunt has a clear theme, it will be easier for you to find games or assignments that fit this theme, but you will also ensure that the scavenger hunt is interesting for those who will complete it. After all, you choose a theme that you know fits in with what the children like.

 

Step 2: Think of a safe route with possibility to play games. Take a good look in your neighborhood to see where there is room to do this. For example in a park or forest, but you can also do a treasure hunt at home and in the garden!

 

Step 3: Find games that fit within the chosen theme, These can be simple 'doing assignments' but also riddles or questions.

Tip: Also make up games for on the road: turn twenty circles under your index finger and then walk forward in a straight line. Say the alphabet backwards or choose old Dutch games, such as sack racing.

Tip: For fun ideas for riddles and questions, go to:  

• https://www.mycityhunt.nl/maak-zelf-een-speurtocht
• https://www.spelactief.nl/activiteiten/cultuur-maatschappij/speurtocht-maken 

 

Step 4: Collect all the items needed for the treasure hunt, dragging things around is not convenient, so make sure you have a handy bag.

 

Step 5: Plot the route, this can of course be done with arrows or with wires that you hang from trees, but you can also choose other ways to have the route found. You can also use balloons, notes or route signs.

 

Step 6: Running a treasure hunt, make clear agreements in advance about walking the route so that the children do not run ahead and you lose the overview. A useful arrangement could be, for example, that someone else can take turns reading the next game assignment.

Tip: Think of a goal for your scavenger hunt: 

You will notice that a quest that leads to a clear goal motivates everyone. So look for a clear end goal for the treasure hunt in your theme. A goal could be that you have to collect different puzzle pieces to find a hidden treasure or that you can crack a code to a safe with all the answers or that you have collected all the ingredients to bake cookies! 

 

Sources:

• https://suuskinderfeestjes.nl/kennisbank/speurtocht/speurtocht-maken/
• https://suuskinderfeestjes.nl/een-speurtocht-met-het-gezin/
• https://www.mycityhunt.nl/maak-zelf-een-speurtocht
• https://www.spelactief.nl/activiteiten/cultuur-maatschappij/speurtocht-maken 
• https://www.kekmama.nl/artikel/kind/zo-zet-je-een-speurtocht-voor-kinderen-uit-12-handige-stappen