The Not-So-Amazing Race: A No-Fuss Kids’ Treasure Hunt

– Posted in: Holidays, Things To Do with Kids, Treasure Hunts, Worst Mom Randomness

A few years ago, I made the HUGE mistake of sending the kids on a treasure hunt to lead them to their Easter presents. Yes, we’re the jerks who get Easter presents for our kids. Try not to hate me too much. A lot of this stems from the fact that my mother, who was the ridiculous, spoiling grandma, died four years ago, so I felt like someone had to pick up the slack.

Anyway, now they expect it, so we did another hunt this year that I threw together last minute, and I wanted to share it and save you guys the pain of having to come up with this crap on your own. Why waste the brain cells.

The best thing about this particular treasure hunt? It was a sneaky way to make the kids get stuff done (which was necessary because we were leaving the next day).

So here’s how to run your very own “Not-So-Amazing Race.”

Supplies

  • printer paper
  • index cards
  • math worksheets
  • something to balance on your head

Making The Clues

  • Fold 5 pieces of printer paper into a pamphlet shape.
  • On the front of each, write “The Not-So-Amazing Race.”
  • On the inside flap, write “Road Block.”
  • Inside the inside flap, write your clue.

The Starting Gate

Get the kids together and give them this spiel: “Welcome to the Not-So-Amazing Race. You are about to embark on a treasure hunt that requires you to complete a series of tasks. Some of these tasks will be difficult and not that pleasant. But keep in mind that just like the Amazing Race, the price at the end is worth it. So no amount of whining or complaining will be helpful and it won’t get you through this any faster. So, are you willing to take this on? Or are you too scared?

“Remember to read your clues carefully. And work together. Here’s your first clue.”

First Clue

Go upstairs. You will find a list of items you must pack for Mexico. Find those items and stack them in a neat pile in the hallway (remember to CHOOSE CAREFULLY — this is what you’re wearing for a week). When the Mommy decides you’ve done a good job, you’ll get your next clue.

I was a complete hard ass about this. They failed to read the clue and put stuff in the hall. Then they didn’t do the neat pile. And they were very dramatic about screwing up. It’s no fun unless you make them follow the directions.

Second Clue

Go to the toy room. Search for 3 white index cards. They will have pictures. Solve the puzzle.

How to make and index card clue puzzle for the Not-So-Amazing Race

As you can see, all I did was take 3 index cards, cut them so they’d fit like a little puzzle in a row, and draw a few symbols on them. This is where you’ll have to come up with something for your own house. For ours, this was “Look in Jasper’s bird nest.” Incidentally, they thought my drawings sucked. But that’s where they found the third clue…

Third Clue

Go to the backyard and find the scruffy gardener (their dad). He’ll give you two bags. When you’ve filled the bags with poop, leaves, and other garbage, he’ll give you your next clue.

See what I meant about getting stuff done?

Fourth Clue

Go to the family room. Find the ottomans and sports rings. When you’ve each balanced for 30 seconds while standing on the ottoman on one foot with the disc on your head, you’ll get your next clue.

This can be any physical challenge. Think “Survivor.”

Fifth Clue

Go to the breakfast nook. You will each complete a math sheet. When the professor has determined you’ve gotten them all right, you’ll get your next clue.

I know. So mean. You can find these online to print out. 

Final Clue

Search for treasure where working dads put their sleepy heads.

Again, taylor for your house. This was under a pillow in our guest room where my husband naps.

So there you have it. A pretty simple treasure hunt that can actually get your kids to do chores! Just make sure the prize at the end doesn’t suck. Ours was an iPad (for the family), and some nice iBallz (don’t forget to enter the giveaway and get your own ballz). But I’ve never seen anyone who’s sad about cookies. Or a coupon to NOT pick up dog poop the next week…

And if you’re looking for another “Amazing Race” with some serious oomph, check out the Neighborhood Treasure Hunt I did for Elfie’s birthday. That’s got more working parts than a Swiss watch. And if your kids are into Hogwarts, there’s always the Kick-Butt Harry Potter Birthday Party.

Happy hunting everybody!

 

4 Comments… add one

Cheryl S. April 18, 2013, 7:28 am

I love this. We normally make the kids search for their baskets (even the 15 year old) by providing rhyming clues, and it involves them walking up and down the stairs numerous times (a. to amuse me and b. to get a calorie burn before ingesting sugar). But your idea is way cooler!!! Thank you for sharing!

Tammy May 5, 2013, 5:27 pm

Haha! That’s awesome. You really are as crazy as I am. I usually feel the need to rhyme, but this year there wasn’t enough time (see that…).

Andrea April 18, 2013, 4:14 pm

That was a great one! We need to step up our just hiding clues in eggs that lead to more eggs/clues (although the kids are 13 and 16 so the tradition could be tough to break)
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Tammy May 5, 2013, 5:28 pm

That’s a cool idea — very Easter-themed treasure hunt. I may steal that.

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