Kids parties have become the latest craze, and coming up with unique and fun themes and activities for children's birthday parties and other events can be daunting.  More and more parents are faced with the need to find new and creative ways to entertain throngs of classmates, friends, relatives, and other guests of varying ages. 

     One simple, low-cost, and very popular way to entertain children at any kind of celebration or gathering, indoor or out, is with a good old fashioned treasure hunt.  This article will provide a brief overview, with links to more specific details, of how to not only plan a great party that incorporates the love of treasure hunting, but also will offer tips on decorating, alternative themes, treat planning, and other simple games and activities to incorporate at your party. 

     Let's first choose your party theme and decorations.  This is the one area of planning where your child might already have a very clear idea of what they would like, and it would be wise to involve them in this decision, as it makes the party more of their own.  Themes might include the latest TV cartoon characters, super heroes, princesses, pop idols, a holiday theme, or they could even invent their own theme that revolves around something else they enjoy -- a western theme, a costume party, a Hawaiian luau/beach party, a clown or circus theme, a scary party, medieval knights, an animal theme, Indians, space adventure, etc.

     That being said, be careful not to fall into the parent trap of spending a small fortune on buying everything character themed.  Kids love bright colors and lots of variety, so besides the obvious need for lots of balloons and streamers, consider purchasing just a few themed decorations and 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.

     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.  A treasure hunt is the one party game that truly promotes interaction, naturally evokes squeals of excitement, and leaves your party guest with lasting memories of their adventurous day at your child’s party. 

     Although it requires some time, creativity, and resources, you can make your own treasure hunts yourself at home.  Alternatively, if you're short on time like most busy parents and party planners, for less than $8 you can instantly purchase, download, and print a complete treasure hunt party game that comes with the pre-made customized clues full of rhymes and riddles that kids love to solve.

     What if your child doesn't want a pirate theme?  No problem!  Treasure hunts can be simply adapted to fit into any party theme.  For example, if your child chooses a:

Doll/Princess Theme:  Announce that someone has stolen the princess's jewels, and whoever finds them will be rewarded with a share of the loot.  You might want to place a jewelry box overflowing with plastic beads, candy necklaces and rings, chocolate foil-wrapped coins, and other gem-like treats in the center of the party table, and have someone sneak the treasure away during the party before making the announcement.

Superhero Theme:  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.  Similarly, consider using a superhero bank or centerpiece filled with play money, gold-wrapped candy coins, and other favors to sneak away during the party before announcing the theft.

A Beach Party Theme:  Place a large colorful beach pail filled with sand, seashells, play pearls, saltwater taffy, sunglasses, a beach ball to inflate, bubble blowing solution, and sea creature theme candy treats and toys like sea horses and sharks on display at the party.  Later hide the bucket and announce that Captain Crook came ashore and swiped the royal beach pail, and your mission is to track down the stolen beach treasure to earn your prize!

     Some crafty ideas kids may love at their party include authentic-looking weathered pirate treasure maps, princess crowns and jewelry, spyglasses made from paper towel rolls, pinatas (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 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, 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!  

     Use creativity to build your party further around the hunt for a truly fantastic and memorable party that your child and his or her guests will talk about long after the party is over.  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 creativity, you can throw many more successful and unique kids parties for years to come that never go out of style.

    Treasure hunts are also not just limited to birthday parties and other kids parties, but perfect for family fun night and reunions, slumber parties, classroom parties, picnics, and other group events.  

     Treasure-Adventure offers affordable custom treasure hunt games at only $7.99 in age-specific levels such as  Easy Treasure Hunts, Medium Treasure Hunts, and Hard Treasure Hunts.  Unlike other similar games where the host is required to make their own clues -- the most difficult and time-consuming task -- Treasure Adventure provides clever clues in rhyme and riddle format, and provides a step-by-step hiding guide with detailed instructions to make setup a breeze and truly enhance the treasure hunting experience.

     Also available on the Treasure Adventure web site are themed inexpensive party supplies with complete party kits, free printable kids activities and games online, more party and treasure hunting tips, and true stories of lost treasure you might want to read about at the end of a slumber birthday party to wind down your day. So to bring your party to life...

 If you're up to the challenge, spyglass and compass in hand, yer prize is in sight, so let the adventure begin!  

     Click Here to learn more about Treasure Adventure party hunts and what the Treasure Adventure web site has to offer, or purchase the treasure hunts at one of the links listed below.

Note:  The documents above are in PDF format and require Adobe Reader. If you can't download, click here to get Adobe Reader free.

Also, if you do not have access to a printer, Treasure Adventure recommends either taking the file on disk to a library printer or exploring Fedex-Kinko's online service which allows you to send your pdf file to them, and pick up your printout at your local Kinko's or have them ship it to you for a fee.

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Legends of lost treasure have excited the imagination for generations, often leading to daring expeditions by adventurers who set out to strike it rich, following weathered pirate maps, looking for clues, and solving riddles along the way.

Now Treasure Adventure Games is bringing you this age-old pursuit with challenging customized affordable treasure hunts for young and old that you can't find anywhere else.  

Go back in time and bring your party or family night to life with this fun and imaginative interactive game. No need to make the clues yourself, easy to set up, hours of entertainment, and a novel way to break the ice and bring people together for a great time!  

Party planners often charge hundreds of dollars to customize a treasure hunt, require you to buy multiple games and wait for them to arrive, provide riddles that require little imagination, or require you to make your own clues, and then figure out how to hide them in the right order.  With Treasure Adventure, you can instantly order just one customized treasure hunt at a time, or as many as you like, at an affordable price, at the skill level you need, and we help guide you in hiding them.  No need to wait!

You can choose a Treasure Adventure hunt that is easy for younger children, and medium, hard, or challenging for older children, teens, and their parents.  Each hunt comes complete with 10 custom-made clues with riddles, conundrums, and trivia that must be hidden as instructed, hunted for, and solved in order to complete your journey and capture the treasure.  

You can play as a team or face off competitively to match wits in this fast-paced and exciting game that keeps everyone moving, thinking, and guessing.  You set the reward, or everyone can pitch in to sweeten the pot. In test games, kids loved the reality treasure hunts and wanted to play again and again!

The perfect game to make any occasion memorable and fun -- birthday parties, college parties, family game night, slumber parties, Easter egg hunts, holiday parties, as an educational school activity, to entertain guests, as a team-building exercise, or at other social gatherings and events using only common household items.

If you’re up to the challenge, spyglass and compass in hand, yer prize is in sight, let the adventure begin!

ONLY $7.99 EACH!

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Easy Treasure Hunts for Kids

Medium Treasure Hunts for Kids

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SimpliFun  Free party ideas, affordable printable treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, party kits, mystery themes, and more!

Click the graphic above to order & download the Marooned Mystery Scavenger Hunt printable PartiKit, brought to you by our affiliate SimpliFun.com. The game involves a cruise on the "Lucky Lady," pirates, rescuers, a small island, natives, and cook-out or camp-out.  A unique play acting party where the guests become the characters who solve the mystery.  Complete with a line-by-line script, invitations, thank you cards, place settings, room decorations, iron-on costume graphics, recipes, & step-by-step instructions.  Requires 2 to 6 adults with cooperative neighbors or land to place planted foods. 

For 10 Girls Ages 9-12  $30.00

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