Saturday 31 July 2010

Help makes treasure hunt go great

Nikki,

Yes, we had our Treasure Hunt on 11/18. I had a little panic moment for the preparation since we didn't quite know what to get and stuff, but with great help of my 15-year-old daughter on that day, we could make it to a very exciting, fun treasure hunt. So everything went well after all. Thank you.

Rie Bach, California, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Treasure hunt guidelines were awesome

Hi Nikki,

Our treasure hunt was just great. Thank you very much. I was a bit nervous about my daughters 11th birthday. She wanted a Pirates of the Carribean party with boy and girls. But wow!!!!! It was awesome. Once they arrived, they had to choose themslelves a pirate name, that in itself was funny. I then made labels with these names and their photos to go on there mugs to drink out of throughout the party. Then it was onto the treasure hunt. I was a bit anxious that they would think it was a bit chidlish, but boy, did they get into it from the word go. We live on a tiny island in the Pacific where props are not easy to come by, but it is amazing what you can find or make. From silver clip on earrings to home made gold and silver loots bags, as well as a coconut palm plank.

We live in a compound and there was a lot of room for the kids. I had made a treasure map which was in 6 pieces, one for each child. They had to put it together to get through each of the challenges. It took about an hour and a quarter to get through the hunt. And they had a ball. The flag they made is still hanging on my daughter's wall. We made some island alterations which made it all the more fun. Your guidelines were awesome. I would advise anyone to use this. It was great. Took a lot of stress out of a fun day. Good luck to anyone else who wants a fun but stress free day. Once again thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan Lowry, Samoa

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Friday 30 July 2010

Treasure hunt will be repeated

The treasure hunt was great. I downloaded the new adobe version, and then it worked.! Every thing went smoothly and the boys loved it! I will be doing more treasure hunts in the future!

Thanks,

Laura Morreale, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Church block party treasure hunt game

Dear Nikki,

We are planning a Block Party at our church and your ideas really started my creative juices flowing!! Here are some "stations" we are considering as a way to involve the whole family in some fun together. Thanks so much for your great ideas! The planning/organizing part was THE BEST!

(These are some ideas for station activities. The activities on the lists would be shuffled around so everyone does not head for the same station at the same time. A few simple prizes would be awarded using the completed papers for a drawing. Older children could help younger ones and families could do the activities together. Volunteers would place simple bug stickers on the papers to show that a station was completed. Some of the stations are easy enough for one person to handle two activities. Each station would be clearly marked with its name and directions on how to complete the activity. Nobody complained about the bug theme so I just ran with it!!)

Nothings Bugging Me!!

Family Activity Stations

Move to each station in the order listed on your paper. Complete the activity and receive a sticker from the "Pest Control Officer". Turn in your completed paper for our prize drawing.

Ladybug Station Make a bug cookie

Buzzing Bee Station Sing a bug related song

Exterminator Station Use a spray bottle(Pressurized) to knock over

the "bugs" (Empty bottles decorated like bugs)

Bug Infested Swamp Cross the "swamp" by walking on a

plank(a long board) and hopping over bugs

Bug Tattoo Station Choose your favorite bug for a tattoo

Fly Swatter Station Move (plastic)bugs to a bucket using a fly

swatter

Fill the Hive Use a paper cup to fill your "hive"(small bowl)

with "honey"(water)

Bug Search Find at least 5 plastic bugs hiding in

the church lawn

Pat Swanson, Minnesota, USA

More details on a great Church Treasure Hunt here

Thursday 29 July 2010

Family activity treasure hunt

Hi Nikki:

Thanks for your help. I am responsible for a treasure hunt as a family activity for a country club. One Friday every month we have family fun night. I would like to include ages of all. We will have to have the hunt inside. I was thinking about making written clues with keys at the location. They take a key and at the last clue is the treasure box with a lock on it and they try their keys. Only one key will work. Or I could have multiple treasure boxes so more than one family win.

Thanks again

Cathy Nemec, Ohio, USA

More details on a great Family Treasure Hunt here

Sleepover treasure hunt

Hi Nikki. Thanks for responding. The kids really enjoyed the treasure hunt and asked me to make up another one for them (which I did using the software, thank you!) It was a sleepover party, so we did one in the evening and one the next morning. They're still talking about it.

Thanks again,

Michelle Papka PhD, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Wednesday 28 July 2010

Nancy Drew themed treasure hunt is a success

Hi Nikki!

Our treasure hunts were lots of fun! We modified the plan for our daughter to have a treasure hunt based on a Nancy Drew theme. I renamed the stations with titles for Nancy Drew Mysteries and named the teams different desserts based on the Nancy Drew movie that came out last summer. We used your party idea for developing two person teams by letting them pick and shoe andshoestring, spoon and fork, etc. All of the girls ages 10-11 seemed to really enjoy all of what we did. They were even very excited to find the treasure under our porch at twilight which our son had hidden. We also used some of your ideas for our son's party. He had an Indiana Jones themed party and only three friends so we really couldn't form teams, we just let them move through kind of an obstacle hunt to find their treasure.

Thank you for all of your great ideas! They really helped to make our children's parties an exciting success!

Most grateful,

Amy Brown, North Carolina, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Treasure hunt in the nude!

Hi Nikki,

You have a great product. We just might be your first customers to conduct our treasure hunt in the nude. Our events calendar had a kids' treasure hunt scheduled for Saturday afternoon. I used some of your ideas to design the hunt, but I am saving the full version for next season when we will have better attendance in the warm weather months. The kids (ages 5,6, & 9) loved it, and I can't wait to put on the full program next year. Thank you.

Stuart Antrim, Georgia USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Pirate treasure hunt and picnic

Hi Nikki,

The party is being held on Memorial day week-end, at a local park, for well over 100 people. We are planning to have 2 hunts going at the same time. Captain Dead Legs and Pirates of the Vernon.

After the hunt we are having a large picnic and will ask our guests to bring a blanket for their family's to eat on. It is going to be an introduction for our family and friends to meet the daughter my husband and are planning to adopt this summer. She is 12 but the ages of guests will run the gamut. Thank you for your interest.

June Paquette, Massachusetts USA

More details on a great Pirate Treasure Hunt here

Personalized treasure hunt is a great success

I had the treasure hunt. Although we made changes from what you suggested, I was able to use many suggestions from your material. It was so awesome, I'll be doing another one for the family children at Thanksgiving (about 12 kids from 4-12).

Eric Waddell, North Carolina, USA

More details on a great Family Treasure Hunt here

Monday 26 July 2010

Two scavenger hunts on consecutive nights

Nikki,

I have read through the game planner and it was helpful. I am having a 9th birthday party for my son this month and I have invited 13 other guests. It is a road rally scavenger hunt, so we will be driving around in teams. I am currently compiling the list. I've decided to set a time limit and have plenty of tasks that are each worth a point value. I hope this works well. I'm not sure how long to make the game, it's difficult to judge how long it will take to drive around and do each task. The list isn't meant to be completed. I am planning on having 3 teams of 4-5 boys each. I have purchased bandanas in 3 colors and will have the boys pick one out randomly from a bag to choose teams. We also plan on having them decorate the cars with glass paint and streamers. If the weather here in Chicago area is terrible the day of the party, we have a back-up plan to move the party to the mall. Because I am so insane, my 12 year old daughter is having her party the next ni ght and we are also doing a neighborhood scavenger hunt for that (15-18 boys and girls). Not as complicated, but we are trying to keep them occupied until the DJ arrives for a 2 hour dance party at our home. Wish me luck!

Cathy Wilson, USA

More details on a great Scavenger Hunt Party Game here

Mall scavenger hunt is a blast

We had a Mall Scavenger Hunt for my daughters 12th birthday last Friday. It was a blast. I used some of your ideas and then added some of my own. They divided up into two teams by pulling a color out of a basket. Each team was given a gift bag with $2, a digital camera (we have keepsake photos), a pen and the list of items they needed to obtain. I gave them one hour. Some of the items were pictures of different things with the group. They were very cute and the girls had a blast. Each team came back with stories and as the evening went on at our home, the stories got funnier and funnier. Thanks for the help. It was a really good time. We are going away this weekend and there are 3 families traveling in 3 different cars. We are thinking of doing the interstate scavenger hunt. Just not sure if I will have the time to get it together before we leave.

LouEllen Michel, Maryland, USA

More details on a great Scavenger Hunt Party Game here

Mall scavenger hunt is a blast

We had a Mall Scavenger Hunt for my daughters 12th birthday last Friday. It was a blast. I used some of your ideas and then added some of my own. They divided up into two teams by pulling a color out of a basket. Each team was given a gift bag with $2, a digital camera (we have keepsake photos), a pen and the list of items they needed to obtain. I gave them one hour. Some of the items were pictures of different things with the group. They were very cute and the girls had a blast. Each team came back with stories and as the evening went on at our home, the stories got funnier and funnier. Thanks for the help. It was a really good time. We are going away this weekend and there are 3 families traveling in 3 different cars. We are thinking of doing the interstate scavenger hunt. Just not sure if I will have the time to get it together before we leave.

LouEllen Michel, Maryland, USA

More details on a great Scavenger Hunt Party Game here

Sunday 25 July 2010

Bought three treasure hunts and yours is the best!

Dear Nikki, many thanks. The party is over, and the treasure hunt went well. It was a very nice change from my usual treasure hunts. Good product. I actually bought and downloaded three different hunt games, and yours was by far the best. The calculator worked brilliantly! I changed it to match the combination on the lock which I already had, and it worked like a charm. How long did it take you to work out all the connections so every team would wind up with the same combination?

Thanks again

Laura Gordon, Pennsylvania USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Treasure hunt almost ready to go

Nikki,

I have been working on the Treasure Hunt all week, and I'm finishing the final touches on the map tonight.

I am going to have 18 children ages 5-10 years. We are having the hunt at our farm around a creek. I will set up the stations tomorrow. I am excited about using the mummy challenge. My son wanted to have all physical challenges so I put all the younger children in a group, all the girls in a group and split the boys into two groups. I think there will be less competition within the groups. Sometimes boys tend to get too competitive. I have chosen five other physical challenges including a multilegged race, a musical water glass, an egg race, a water balloon toss, the mummy challenge, and a water race.

I am going to hide a key for each team, which will open the treasure chest with their goody bags in them.

I have enough adults for each station. I think that will help.

The rest of the party includes a hotdog cookout, a hay ride, a hike in a really cool creek with caves, frogs, and lizards, and the treasure hunt, not to mention the cake and icecream and the presents. I hope it doesn't get dark before we're finished.

I used many good ideas from your ebook. I copied the station names onto yellow cardstock and laminated them. We will attach them to posts which are in place already.

Thanks for the great ideas.

Sincerely,

Shelley Grellner, Oklahoma USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Saturday 24 July 2010

Family activity treasure hunt

Hi Nikki:

Thanks for your help. I am responsible for a treasure hunt as a family activity for a country club. One Friday every month we have family fun night. I would like to include ages of all. We will have to have the hunt inside. I was thinking about making written clues with keys at the location. They take a key and at the last clue is the treasure box with a lock on it and they try their keys. Only one key will work. Or I could have multiple treasure boxes so more than one family win.

Thanks again

Cathy Nemec, Ohio, USA

More details on a great Family Treasure Hunt here

Enjoyable treasure hunt party

The party was on Sunday and everyone enjoyed it. Thanks.

Ingrid Kunze, Texas, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Friday 23 July 2010

So much fun with instant treasure hunt clues

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the instant treasure hunt game-it was a blast and so much fun! For next time, we will need to better prepared-my daughter wanted to do it all and selected 45 clue-too many for this party. She also wanted to have colored envelopes which I made from paper-that was fun but too time consuming. I am looking forward to using this again for my little one's 6th birthday in October. Or maybe we will try out the scavenger hunt.

Thanks so much!

Karen Kruidenier, Pennsylvania, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Sleepover treasure hunt

Hi Nikki. Thanks for responding. The kids really enjoyed the treasure hunt and asked me to make up another one for them (which I did using the software, thank you!) It was a sleepover party, so we did one in the evening and one the next morning. They're still talking about it.

Thanks again,

Michelle Papka PhD, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Thursday 22 July 2010

Cheap option for treasure hunt clue game

The Treasure hunt went well. I intermixed some clues we personalized. I think this went over well and they were the more exciting clues for us. All had a great time and it got the kids out of the house enjoying fresh air. Cheap at the price! Thank you! Sorry no photos taken, too busy keeping up with the kids!

Cathy McDermott, New York, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Yard improvement treasure hunt reward

Thanks Nikki,

Yes, I was able to download it and printed it off yesterday. My party is going to be on Sunday, the 3rd of July. I've already started planning the treasure hunt. I live in San Jose, California and my husband and I are throwing a b-b-q for some people that were very involved with the relandscaping of our yard.

It was a huge undertaking and we wanted to give them all a big thank you. So, it'll pretty much be all adults, with the exception of a few little ones (3 and under). We're changing the station names and officers to things that apply to yard work and landscaping. The treasure will be gift certificates for the winners to a local home improvement store.

Please, please, if you have any ideas for me on this theme, let me know . . .

Thanks,

Mona Boomer, California USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Cheap option for treasure hunt clue game

The Treasure hunt went well. I intermixed some clues we personalized. I think this went over well and they were the more exciting clues for us. All had a great time and it got the kids out of the house enjoying fresh air. Cheap at the price! Thank you! Sorry no photos taken, too busy keeping up with the kids!

Cathy McDermott, New York, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Treasure hunt help is apprreciated

Nikki! You're the best! Thanks so much!

Rachel Lawry, Alabama, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Tuesday 20 July 2010

Large scale church treasure hunt

Nikki,

Due to the size of our treasure hunt (140 participants) we found it difficult to use everything that was in the kits. We did use the pattern for the puzzle and made our own clues. We had to run two games at the same time. Both having 7 teams in each game with 10-14 players on each team. We used ciphers, cryptograms, Mad Gab clues, riddles, word searches you name it. We had the games travel all over our town. The games took about 2 1/2 hours to complete. At the end location, no matter where a team ended up, their last clue sent them on a final trek to gain the last puzzle piece. The timing worked out great. This was my greatest concern. Cars/buses you name it started rolling in one right after the other. Remember I told you weeks ago that our theme for the weekend was the Bailout.

Jesus Christ bailed us out. There was no way that any of us could pay the debt that we owe for our sins. He paid it for us.

Keeping with the theme, our last clue on a list they followed read like this. To "B" or not to "B" that is the question. Whether tis nobler to.... Oh forget it, I need a bailout! Go to the bucket and draw out your last clue. Once they climbed up into our "B" lettered bucket truck and gained the last piece, they were frantically taping them together. The first team from each game to read it to me out loud me got an envelope that declared them the winner of their game. They however needed to follow another map to the location to gain the treasure map. Cars were frantically driving everywhere. The energy was amazing. Everyone was having a great time, even when they didn't win. Once they got their respective treasure maps. The hunt was on. We buried two treasures with a backhoe and when they

finally found the right location, the digging began. The girls were able to pull their box out without a big mess. The guys team saw the lid and pulled it out letting all the dirt fall in on the treasure. The note in both boxes read. Jesus Christ died one for all and the treasure is to be shared by all.

There was a grand prize for the winning teams which was CDs from the Christian Band that was here for the weekend. There were thumbs up from everyone. Good game. My only fear now is that I know they are going to want another one.

Thanks for getting us started.

Karen Bowles, Alabama, USA

More details on a great Church Treasure Hunt here

Memorial day picnic with treasure hunt

Hey Nikki,

Thanks for your emails. I purchased and downloaded your Treasure Hunt Party Game Planner Sunday night and got right to work. You see, I needed a great Treasure Hunt for our Memorial Day church picnic and I only had one night and a morning to get it all done! Your material was a great help and made it both fun and substantive. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Let me share one quick highlight: my son had a kid's "spy" safe with a changeable number-pad combination. This worked great for hiding the map in. Type in the wrong number and the thing alarms and flashes lights--and of course won't open! It was perfect. What was a blast at our Treasure Hunt was one team put all their clues together and raced to unlock the map. But they kept getting the combination wrong, so a second team ended up getting it. We really had a blast! Thanks so much!

Michael De Leon, pastor

Lighthouse Baptist Church

P.S. for others using your ideas, I was able to make it work with only me as a helper. I used a lot of puzzle type games which was easier for one person--me--to check off then watching people do stuff.

Michael De Leon, Ohio, USA

More details on a great Church Treasure Hunt here

Monday 19 July 2010

Wonderful time for teenage treasure hunt game

It was a great success and the girls (18) HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. Couldn't have done it without your treasure hunt game/ideas.

A beautiful way to spend a fall evening in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Denise Cox, Alberta, Canada

More details on a great Teen Treasure Hunt here

Treasure hunt will be repeated

The treasure hunt was great. I downloaded the new adobe version, and then it worked.! Every thing went smoothly and the boys loved it! I will be doing more treasure hunts in the future!

Thanks,

Laura Morreale, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Sunday 18 July 2010

Large scale church treasure hunt

Nikki,

Due to the size of our treasure hunt (140 participants) we found it difficult to use everything that was in the kits. We did use the pattern for the puzzle and made our own clues. We had to run two games at the same time. Both having 7 teams in each game with 10-14 players on each team. We used ciphers, cryptograms, Mad Gab clues, riddles, word searches you name it. We had the games travel all over our town. The games took about 2 1/2 hours to complete. At the end location, no matter where a team ended up, their last clue sent them on a final trek to gain the last puzzle piece. The timing worked out great. This was my greatest concern. Cars/buses you name it started rolling in one right after the other. Remember I told you weeks ago that our theme for the weekend was the Bailout.

Jesus Christ bailed us out. There was no way that any of us could pay the debt that we owe for our sins. He paid it for us.

Keeping with the theme, our last clue on a list they followed read like this. To "B" or not to "B" that is the question. Whether tis nobler to.... Oh forget it, I need a bailout! Go to the bucket and draw out your last clue. Once they climbed up into our "B" lettered bucket truck and gained the last piece, they were frantically taping them together. The first team from each game to read it to me out loud me got an envelope that declared them the winner of their game. They however needed to follow another map to the location to gain the treasure map. Cars were frantically driving everywhere. The energy was amazing. Everyone was having a great time, even when they didn't win. Once they got their respective treasure maps. The hunt was on. We buried two treasures with a backhoe and when they

finally found the right location, the digging began. The girls were able to pull their box out without a big mess. The guys team saw the lid and pulled it out letting all the dirt fall in on the treasure. The note in both boxes read. Jesus Christ died one for all and the treasure is to be shared by all.

There was a grand prize for the winning teams which was CDs from the Christian Band that was here for the weekend. There were thumbs up from everyone. Good game. My only fear now is that I know they are going to want another one.

Thanks for getting us started.

Karen Bowles, Alabama, USA

More details on a great Church Treasure Hunt here

Personalized treasure hunt is a great success

I had the treasure hunt. Although we made changes from what you suggested, I was able to use many suggestions from your material. It was so awesome, I'll be doing another one for the family children at Thanksgiving (about 12 kids from 4-12).

Eric Waddell, North Carolina, USA

More details on a great Family Treasure Hunt here

Saturday 17 July 2010

Treasure hunt will be repeated

The treasure hunt was great. I downloaded the new adobe version, and then it worked.! Every thing went smoothly and the boys loved it! I will be doing more treasure hunts in the future!

Thanks,

Laura Morreale, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Treasure hunt is best party ever!

Hi - We had a great party last night!  We decided to have four stations with four groups of two boys (ages 11 and 12).  This was for a sleepover so when the kids sat down for dinner they each had either a red, green, orange, or blue flashlight with them.  Their flashlight determined the teams.  Also, each team had it's own had unique treasure maps so they would all win the same treasure eventually.  Armed with the map pieces and a clue on the back, they all found their treasure of nerf guns and then spent at least an hour outside playing after the treasure hunt.  The boys had a great time and the structure your documents provided for the treasure hunt was really helpful.  After the boys traisped through the woods and found their treasure, one boy shouted "This is the best party ever!".  I was thrilled and my son had a great time.  Thanks for your help!

Alison McLaughlin, Massachusetts, USA

Mo re details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Friday 16 July 2010

Birthday party treasure hunt

Hi,

We had a birthday party yesterday for nine 8-year old boys and girls. The theme was "Pirates Go Wild" and we took full advantage of the online Instant Treasure Hunt game. We made 6 different clues for each of the 3 teams (used colored armbands to identify the different "crews", labeled them "Blue Bandit Clue #2", etc.) and it went great!

I bought flags, blow-up swords, bandanas, pencils, stickers, "gold" coins, candy, and little clue sets at Diddams (see attached pictures).

The best part happened as each of the teams finished, then went to help the other teams before getting the last clue and shovels with little flags attached. (They had to find the apple tree and figure out that the big flag marked the spot to dig up the treasure box all together.) The kids then divided up the "loot" themselves as their party favors.

I loved the idea of the different puzzles and stations but didn't have other adult helpers and would definitely have needed them to make that work.

Nadja Jackson, California, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Surprise 16th treasure hunt party starts with a kidnap!

I 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

More details on a great Teen Treasure Hunt here

Thursday 15 July 2010

Hi Nikki,

The treasure hunt was a success. Some of the kids were just a little confused in the beginning, either they were not listening to the instructions (typical teenagers) or my instructions were not clear. I should probably have shown samples of what they were supposed to look for like the station's names, next destination and the challenges.

But finally they got it and everybody had a great time. Thanks.

Catalina Alter, Hong Kong

More details on a great Teen Treasure Hunt here

Treasure hunt guidelines were awesome

Hi Nikki,

Our treasure hunt was just great. Thank you very much. I was a bit nervous about my daughters 11th birthday. She wanted a Pirates of the Carribean party with boy and girls. But wow!!!!! It was awesome. Once they arrived, they had to choose themslelves a pirate name, that in itself was funny. I then made labels with these names and their photos to go on there mugs to drink out of throughout the party. Then it was onto the treasure hunt. I was a bit anxious that they would think it was a bit chidlish, but boy, did they get into it from the word go. We live on a tiny island in the Pacific where props are not easy to come by, but it is amazing what you can find or make. From silver clip on earrings to home made gold and silver loots bags, as well as a coconut palm plank.

We live in a compound and there was a lot of room for the kids. I had made a treasure map which was in 6 pieces, one for each child. They had to put it together to get through each of the challenges. It took about an hour and a quarter to get through the hunt. And they had a ball. The flag they made is still hanging on my daughter's wall. We made some island alterations which made it all the more fun. Your guidelines were awesome. I would advise anyone to use this. It was great. Took a lot of stress out of a fun day. Good luck to anyone else who wants a fun but stress free day. Once again thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan Lowry, Samoa

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Church block party treasure hunt game

Dear Nikki,

We are planning a Block Party at our church and your ideas really started my creative juices flowing!! Here are some "stations" we are considering as a way to involve the whole family in some fun together. Thanks so much for your great ideas! The planning/organizing part was THE BEST!

(These are some ideas for station activities. The activities on the lists would be shuffled around so everyone does not head for the same station at the same time. A few simple prizes would be awarded using the completed papers for a drawing. Older children could help younger ones and families could do the activities together. Volunteers would place simple bug stickers on the papers to show that a station was completed. Some of the stations are easy enough for one person to handle two activities. Each station would be clearly marked with its name and directions on how to complete the activity. Nobody complained about the bug theme so I just ran with it!!)

Nothings Bugging Me!!

Family Activity Stations

Move to each station in the order listed on your paper. Complete the activity and receive a sticker from the "Pest Control Officer". Turn in your completed paper for our prize drawing.

Ladybug Station Make a bug cookie

Buzzing Bee Station Sing a bug related song

Exterminator Station Use a spray bottle(Pressurized) to knock over

the "bugs" (Empty bottles decorated like bugs)

Bug Infested Swamp Cross the "swamp" by walking on a

plank(a long board) and hopping over bugs

Bug Tattoo Station Choose your favorite bug for a tattoo

Fly Swatter Station Move (plastic)bugs to a bucket using a fly

swatter

Fill the Hive Use a paper cup to fill your "hive"(small bowl)

with "honey"(water)

Bug Search Find at least 5 plastic bugs hiding in

the church lawn

Pat Swanson, Minnesota, USA

More details on a great Church Treasure Hunt here

Treasure hunt suggestions appreciated

Nikki

We had the party and it was great. Appreciate all the suggestions in the book. Have a great holiday weekend

Tracey Ivaldi, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Scavenger Hunt Party Game here

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Sleepover treasure hunt

Hi Nikki. Thanks for responding. The kids really enjoyed the treasure hunt and asked me to make up another one for them (which I did using the software, thank you!) It was a sleepover party, so we did one in the evening and one the next morning. They're still talking about it.

Thanks again,

Michelle Papka PhD, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Mall scavenger hunt is a blast

We had a Mall Scavenger Hunt for my daughters 12th birthday last Friday. It was a blast. I used some of your ideas and then added some of my own. They divided up into two teams by pulling a color out of a basket. Each team was given a gift bag with $2, a digital camera (we have keepsake photos), a pen and the list of items they needed to obtain. I gave them one hour. Some of the items were pictures of different things with the group. They were very cute and the girls had a blast. Each team came back with stories and as the evening went on at our home, the stories got funnier and funnier. Thanks for the help. It was a really good time. We are going away this weekend and there are 3 families traveling in 3 different cars. We are thinking of doing the interstate scavenger hunt. Just not sure if I will have the time to get it together before we leave.

LouEllen Michel, Maryland, USA

More details on a great Scavenger Hunt Party Game here

Monday 12 July 2010

Wonderful painted treasure box

Hi Nikki;

I love your "customer service"---except that its more than customer service! It's personal and warm and I feel like I have a friend instead of a business transaction.

Now the burial place! We are fortunate in that we have many options. We walked the property again this morning and will probably choose a place next to a creek bed---(dry at the moment as

we have had no rain--- under a huge Oak tree--- and behind a hedge of evergreen fir. We like this place because the losers will be able to watch the retrieval activities from solid stable ground ---not on a hill and no rocks.

I was very excited to find a wonderful Treasure Box---perfect size & shape (just like you expect a treasure chest to look)--It was unpainted so I stained it brown--and best of all the treasures I purchased fit into it perfectly.

We still have to work on the puzzle part and plan the stations. Time is getting short so we are under pressure with all the other tasks for the big week end.

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Lou Wilson, California, USA

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Surprise 16th treasure hunt party starts with a kidnap!

I 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

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Sunday 11 July 2010

Wonderful time for teenage treasure hunt game

It was a great success and the girls (18) HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. Couldn't have done it without your treasure hunt game/ideas.

A beautiful way to spend a fall evening in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Denise Cox, Alberta, Canada

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Western theme treasure hunt for family reunion

Nikki-

I planned our treasure hunt for our Family Reunion. Our reunion this year had a Western Theme, so our Treasure Hunt was based on a train robbery. Each team had a "gang" name . We had 6 teams of five The Dalton Gang, the Hole in the Wall Gang etc... I had everyone pick their team then they all had to draw different colored bandannas out of an over sized novelty cowboy hat. What ever color bandanna they got was what gang they were in. I thought the idea of a family reunion was to get to know your entire family and this way we just didn't stay with the cousins we were familiar with, it was a neat "trick" and very funny! Each station was a train depot and they all had Western town names, Laredo, Death Valley, Dodge City etc..

At each station the tasks also stayed within our theme. We had hoppy balls that looked like horseys, there was a course they had to bounce along (it was so funny!), stick horse races, one station they had to apply a brand tattoo and wear a cowboy hat, it was all simple, fast and FUN. The final clue was placed on a swing at the campsite and the swing was shaped like a horse (that wasn't planned, it just happened!). The treasure wasn't buried, but hidden under a HUGE bush so the winning team had to actually burrow under the foliage to find the chest. The chest was a replica of a train chest, complete with a big ole rusty padlock.

The winning gang had to return to the shelter house to open the chest after we had gathered all the teams back. The treasure was play money, gold nugget gum, bubble gum foil coins and foil chocolate coins. I also had suckers shaped like stars, and cactus and cowboy boots, and mardigras beads. I curled metallic ribbon and when they opened the chest there were a lot of oohhh's and ahhh's. This game was a BLAST and everyone was talking about it, I can't wait to see the pictures! It was a lot of prep time, but it was SO worth it. My cousin and I are talking about doing a version for Homecoming this fall!

Thanks so much.

Debbie Leaming, Oklahoma, USA

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Saturday 10 July 2010

Treasure hunt will be repeated

The treasure hunt was great. I downloaded the new adobe version, and then it worked.! Every thing went smoothly and the boys loved it! I will be doing more treasure hunts in the future!

Thanks,

Laura Morreale, New Jersey, USA

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Treasure hunt is best party ever!

Hi - We had a great party last night!  We decided to have four stations with four groups of two boys (ages 11 and 12).  This was for a sleepover so when the kids sat down for dinner they each had either a red, green, orange, or blue flashlight with them.  Their flashlight determined the teams.  Also, each team had it's own had unique treasure maps so they would all win the same treasure eventually.  Armed with the map pieces and a clue on the back, they all found their treasure of nerf guns and then spent at least an hour outside playing after the treasure hunt.  The boys had a great time and the structure your documents provided for the treasure hunt was really helpful.  After the boys traisped through the woods and found their treasure, one boy shouted "This is the best party ever!".  I was thrilled and my son had a great time.  Thanks for your help!

Alison McLaughlin, Massachusetts, USA

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Friday 9 July 2010

Wonderful painted treasure box

Hi Nikki;

I love your "customer service"---except that its more than customer service! It's personal and warm and I feel like I have a friend instead of a business transaction.

Now the burial place! We are fortunate in that we have many options. We walked the property again this morning and will probably choose a place next to a creek bed---(dry at the moment as

we have had no rain--- under a huge Oak tree--- and behind a hedge of evergreen fir. We like this place because the losers will be able to watch the retrieval activities from solid stable ground ---not on a hill and no rocks.

I was very excited to find a wonderful Treasure Box---perfect size & shape (just like you expect a treasure chest to look)--It was unpainted so I stained it brown--and best of all the treasures I purchased fit into it perfectly.

We still have to work on the puzzle part and plan the stations. Time is getting short so we are under pressure with all the other tasks for the big week end.

Thanks for keeping in touch.

Lou Wilson, California, USA

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Treasure hunt book sales have impeccable customer service

Thanks so much, I really appreciate all of your prompt attention. I recommend your game to everyone!! Also, your customer service is impeccable!!

Sincerely,

Nancy Franklin, New York, USA

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Thursday 8 July 2010

Well organized treasure hunt

Nikki,

Just wanted you to know that our 4th grade treasure hunt was a great success. The kids had a ton fun and requested that we have another one later in the year. Thanks for putting together such a well organized party.

Kim Licken, Ohio, USA

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Birthday party treasure hunt

Hi,

We had a birthday party yesterday for nine 8-year old boys and girls. The theme was "Pirates Go Wild" and we took full advantage of the online Instant Treasure Hunt game. We made 6 different clues for each of the 3 teams (used colored armbands to identify the different "crews", labeled them "Blue Bandit Clue #2", etc.) and it went great!

I bought flags, blow-up swords, bandanas, pencils, stickers, "gold" coins, candy, and little clue sets at Diddams (see attached pictures).

The best part happened as each of the teams finished, then went to help the other teams before getting the last clue and shovels with little flags attached. (They had to find the apple tree and figure out that the big flag marked the spot to dig up the treasure box all together.) The kids then divided up the "loot" themselves as their party favors.

I loved the idea of the different puzzles and stations but didn't have other adult helpers and would definitely have needed them to make that work.

Nadja Jackson, California, USA

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Wednesday 7 July 2010

Memorial day picnic with treasure hunt

Hey Nikki,

Thanks for your emails. I purchased and downloaded your Treasure Hunt Party Game Planner Sunday night and got right to work. You see, I needed a great Treasure Hunt for our Memorial Day church picnic and I only had one night and a morning to get it all done! Your material was a great help and made it both fun and substantive. Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Let me share one quick highlight: my son had a kid's "spy" safe with a changeable number-pad combination. This worked great for hiding the map in. Type in the wrong number and the thing alarms and flashes lights--and of course won't open! It was perfect. What was a blast at our Treasure Hunt was one team put all their clues together and raced to unlock the map. But they kept getting the combination wrong, so a second team ended up getting it. We really had a blast! Thanks so much!

Michael De Leon, pastor

Lighthouse Baptist Church

P.S. for others using your ideas, I was able to make it work with only me as a helper. I used a lot of puzzle type games which was easier for one person--me--to check off then watching people do stuff.

Michael De Leon, Ohio, USA

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Geo caching and scavenger hunting

Thanks for asking, our hunt was a little non traditional, but went well. It was a mixture of geo caching, orienteering, and scavenger.

We hid zip l6 locks that contained 13 items, scattered over our 15 acres. Nothing was buried or covered over. All the zip locks were identical. We had a map with X marks the spots where bags were hidden, and the list of the 13 items you needed to find and cross off.

There were 12 kids, all second graders. Each kid had to end up with the 13 different items in his bag, and he had 16 bags to make his cache. i.e.: You could only take one item from each zip lock you found. If you needed the whistle to cross off your list, and you went to three bags and no whistles, you needed to keep searching for a zip lock that contained one. That's where the strategy came in. We were afraid just finding them would be too easy. We also thought that having all whistles in one bag; all pencils, etc, would also be too easy. This kept the kids busy for 1 1/2 hours. Each kid had an adult tagging along, so I didn't need search and rescue! The kids loved it and I even had one little girl say, she LOVED having to find her goodie bag!

I had award gold medals to place around the necks as each kid finished. They then took a hayride to our campfire area where we ate, had cake, and opened presents. As we live in the Rockies in Colorado, the weather held out beautifully. It could have been a snow scavenger hunt and plan B.

Thanks for all the ideas,

Karen Lasher, Colorado, USA

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Tuesday 6 July 2010

Cheap option for treasure hunt clue game

The Treasure hunt went well. I intermixed some clues we personalized. I think this went over well and they were the more exciting clues for us. All had a great time and it got the kids out of the house enjoying fresh air. Cheap at the price! Thank you! Sorry no photos taken, too busy keeping up with the kids!

Cathy McDermott, New York, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Surprise 16th treasure hunt party starts with a kidnap!

I 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

More details on a great Teen Treasure Hunt here

Monday 5 July 2010

Treasure hunt suggestions appreciated

Nikki

We had the party and it was great. Appreciate all the suggestions in the book. Have a great holiday weekend

Tracey Ivaldi, New Jersey, USA

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New Year's eve scavenger hunt

Nikki- The scavenger hunt is tonight. we are so excited. We are hosting a New Years Eve Party for our oldest daughters soccer team and their parents. Each family will be a team and will have two hours to complete the hunt through our town. The last item on the hunt requires each family to visit their favorite pizza place and bring back a large pizza to share with every one. My husband and I complied a list on 36 items that need to be gathered, made or have a picture taken of it. Most of things have to pertain to things that relate to the soccer team. I will let you know how it goes. Thank you for all your helpful information.

Tanya Stoney, North Carolina, USA

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Sunday 4 July 2010

New Year's eve scavenger hunt

Nikki- The scavenger hunt is tonight. we are so excited. We are hosting a New Years Eve Party for our oldest daughters soccer team and their parents. Each family will be a team and will have two hours to complete the hunt through our town. The last item on the hunt requires each family to visit their favorite pizza place and bring back a large pizza to share with every one. My husband and I complied a list on 36 items that need to be gathered, made or have a picture taken of it. Most of things have to pertain to things that relate to the soccer team. I will let you know how it goes. Thank you for all your helpful information.

Tanya Stoney, North Carolina, USA

More details on a great Scavenger Hunt Party Game here

Cheap option for treasure hunt clue game

The Treasure hunt went well. I intermixed some clues we personalized. I think this went over well and they were the more exciting clues for us. All had a great time and it got the kids out of the house enjoying fresh air. Cheap at the price! Thank you! Sorry no photos taken, too busy keeping up with the kids!

Cathy McDermott, New York, USA

More details on a great Instant Treasure Hunt using Riddles here

Saturday 3 July 2010

Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

Ms. Wilson,

I want to thank your for sending us the ebook on scavenger hunts. We are excited about having the first digital photo scavenger hunt in Brevard. This is geared toward families having fun time together and learning about their county.

I'll be happy to put a link to your website on our web pages and give you property acknowledgment.

Again, thank you so much

Sherry Meaders, Brevard, Florida

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Enjoyable treasure hunt party

The party was on Sunday and everyone enjoyed it. Thanks.

Ingrid Kunze, Texas, USA

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Friday 2 July 2010

Treasure hunt is best party ever!

Hi - We had a great party last night!  We decided to have four stations with four groups of two boys (ages 11 and 12).  This was for a sleepover so when the kids sat down for dinner they each had either a red, green, orange, or blue flashlight with them.  Their flashlight determined the teams.  Also, each team had it's own had unique treasure maps so they would all win the same treasure eventually.  Armed with the map pieces and a clue on the back, they all found their treasure of nerf guns and then spent at least an hour outside playing after the treasure hunt.  The boys had a great time and the structure your documents provided for the treasure hunt was really helpful.  After the boys traisped through the woods and found their treasure, one boy shouted "This is the best party ever!".  I was thrilled and my son had a great time.  Thanks for your help!

Alison McLaughlin, Massachusetts, USA

Mo re details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Treasure hunt will be repeated

The treasure hunt was great. I downloaded the new adobe version, and then it worked.! Every thing went smoothly and the boys loved it! I will be doing more treasure hunts in the future!

Thanks,

Laura Morreale, New Jersey, USA

More details on a great Treasure Hunt Party Game here

Thursday 1 July 2010

Style of business is appreciated

Dear Nikki:

Really appreciated your style of doing business, I sure will check out the other resources you are offering, as now I owe you one ;-)

Best wishes to you and may your business continue to prosper!

Regards,

Robert Tang, USA

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Treasure hunt game makes a unique party.

We had the party last night. Around 20 something seventh graders with a few other ages thrown in. They had a blast. We used our yard and a neighbor's yard for the play area (not too big, but some room to run) and buried the treasure on the edge of the property. The planning was relatively easy with your planner. The kids hadn't done anything similar at any other party they've been to - which is exactly what my daughter wanted. The checklist was a blessing - it helped me make sure I had everything ready... I think the party was a great success.

The game started at 5:45 and they were completely finished by 6:30 - which was much faster than I had anticipated. But it worked out fine.

The treasure hunt was a great idea and your planner certainly helped make it possible. I never would have found the time to coordinate all the timetables, challenges, clues and instructions without it. It was worth my investment.

Sheri Williams, Montana, USA

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