Vacation Treasure Hunt

Instructions and clues are provided for four people, or pairs, so that all are not
looking for the same treasure at the same time.  The participants must not take or move treasures that belong to another team.  All must agree to follow this rule.
Buy and wrap your treasures before your trip, using a different colored paper for each team.  (I used Christmas paper with different colored backgrounds.)  Tape the tags provided onto each treasure as you wrap, so that you will be able to hide them in the right places.  When you arrive, hide the prizes while the participants are out for a short walk on the beach.
Give each person, or pair, a large beach bag to hold their treasures.  The first clue can be taped to an index card which is wrapped in the matching paper so that each one will know which treasures to find.  Or, you may wish to hide the first clue in a balloon that is the same color as their treasures.  Younger children may want to open each prize as they find them, but our older ones did it as a race and opened everything in the end.
Red Team
Clue 1
When it's time to go to bed,
This is where you lay your head.
Glue on an index card or...
Red Team
Clue 2
I love to make your popcorn pop,
And even "beep" you when I stop.
Tape this clue to a small flashlight.
Hide this prize on a pillow of the bed.

If you find that you don't have a corresponding hiding place, such as, the house does not have a microwave, let the players know beforehand to get those prizes in a designated place.  Also tell them not to pick up their treasures out of order, or they may not be able to find all their clues and hidden treasures.
Tear off this end of the clues as you hide the treasures.
Red Team
Clue 3
When you see me, you often stare,
And many times you fix your hair.
Tape this clue to a comb or brush.
Hide this prize in the microwave.
Tape this clue to a pack of pop corn.
Red Team
Clue 4
I spin and tumble all around,
Until you hear my "buzzing" sound.
Hide this prize at a mirror.
Red Team
Clue 5
When the room is not very bright,
Turn one on for a little light.
Hide this prize on the clothes dryer.
Tape this clue to a beach towel.
The treasures listed are only examples and you may choose to use any prizes suitable for your age groups.  Other ideas might include favorite snack packs, small sand and water toys, sea shell picture frames, sun hats and games.

Vacation Treasure Hunt For Young Children - Clues for younger children.
Hide this prize at a lamp table.
Tape this clue to a puzzle.
Red Team
Clue 6
Dust and dirt are things I eat,
Just turn me on and make things neat.
Red Team
Clue 7
Hide this prize on a vacuum cleaner.
Tape this clue to a sand toy.
V
When you're thirsty in the hot weather,
Something frozen will make you feel better.
Tape this to a York Peppermint Patty.
Hide this prize in the freezer.
Red Team
Clue 8
I am such a lovely nook,
A place for someone's favorite book.
Tape this clue to a book.
Hide this prize on a bookshelf.
Red Team
Clue 9
This is all, your game is done,
Enjoy your vacation, have lots of fun!
You may hide in a red balloon.
During our last family vacation we had a treasure
hunt. The children and teens really enjoyed it and learned
where to find the vacuum, laundry room, and other things in the rental house.  It can be fun and easy with advance preparation.
Blue Team
Clue 1
When it's time to go to bed,
This is where you lay your head.
Glue on an index card or...
Blue Team
Clue 2
I love to make your popcorn pop,
And even "beep" you when I stop.
Tape this clue to a small flashlight.
Hide this prize on a pillow of the bed.
Tear off this end of the clues as you hide the treasures.
Blue Team
Clue 3
When you see me, you often stare,
And many times you fix your hair.
Tape this clue to a comb or brush.
Hide this prize in the microwave.
Tape this clue to a pack of pop corn.
Blue Team
Clue 4
I spin and tumble all around,
Until you hear my "buzzing" sound.
Hide this prize at a mirror.
Blue Team
Clue 5
When the room is not very bright,
Turn one on for a little light.
Hide this prize on the clothes dryer.
Tape this clue to a beach towel.
Hide this prize at a lamp table.
Tape this clue to a puzzle.
Blue Team
Clue 6
Dust and dirt are things I eat,
Just turn me on and make things neat.
Blue Team
Clue 7
Hide this prize on a vacuum cleaner.
Tape this clue to a sand toy.
V
When you're thirsty in the hot weather,
Something frozen will make you feel better.
Tape this to a York Peppermint Patty.
Hide this prize in the freezer.
Blue Team
Clue 8
I am such a lovely nook,
A place for someone's favorite book.
Tape this clue to a book.
Hide this prize on a bookshelf.
Blue Team
Clue 9
This is all, your game is done,
Enjoy your vacation, have lots of fun!
You may hide in a blue balloon.
Green Team
Clue 1
When it's time to go to bed,
This is where you lay your head.
Glue on an index card or...
Green Team
Clue 2
I love to make your popcorn pop,
And even "beep" you when I stop.
Tape this clue to a small flashlight.
Hide this prize on a pillow of the bed.
Tear off this end of the clues as you hide the treasures.
Green Team
Clue 3
When you see me, you often stare,
And many times you fix your hair.
Tape this clue to a comb or brush.
Hide this prize in the microwave.
Tape this clue to a pack of pop corn.
Green Team
Clue 4
I spin and tumble all around,
Until you hear my "buzzing" sound.
Hide this prize at a mirror.
Green Team
Clue 5
When the room is not very bright,
Turn one on for a little light.
Hide this prize on the clothes dryer.
Tape this clue to a beach towel.
Hide this prize at a lamp table.
Tape this clue to a puzzle.
Green Team
Clue 6
Dust and dirt are things I eat,
Just turn me on and make things neat.
Green Team
Clue 7
Hide this prize on a vacuum cleaner.
Tape this clue to a sand toy.
V
When you're thirsty in the hot weather,
Something frozen will make you feel better.
Tape this to a York Peppermint Patty.
Hide this prize in the freezer.
Green Team
Clue 8
I am such a lovely nook,
A place for someone's favorite book.
Tape this clue to a book.
Hide this prize on a bookshelf.
Green Team
Clue 9
This is all, your game is done,
Enjoy your vacation, have lots of fun!
You may hide in a green balloon.
Orange Team
Clue 1
When it's time to go to bed,
This is where you lay your head.
Glue on an index card or...
Orange Team
Clue 2
I love to make your popcorn pop,
And even "beep" you when I stop.
Tape this clue to a small flashlight.
Hide this prize on a pillow of the bed.
Tear off this end of the clues as you hide the treasures.
Orange Team
Clue 3
When you see me, you often stare,
And many times you fix your hair.
Tape this clue to a comb or brush.
Hide this prize in the microwave.
Tape this clue to a pack of pop corn.
Orange Team
Clue 4
I spin and tumble all around,
Until you hear my "buzzing" sound.
Hide this prize at a mirror.
Orange Team
Clue 5
When the room is not very bright,
Turn one on for a little light.
Hide this prize on the clothes dryer.
Tape this clue to a beach towel.
Hide this prize at a lamp table.
Tape this clue to a puzzle.
Orange Team
Clue 6
Dust and dirt are things I eat,
Just turn me on and make things neat.
Orange Team
Clue 7
Hide this prize on a vacuum cleaner.
Tape this clue to a sand toy.
V
When you're thirsty in the hot weather,
Something frozen will make you feel better.
Tape this to a York Peppermint Patty.
Hide this prize in the freezer.
Orange Team
Clue 8
I am such a lovely nook,
A place for someone's favorite book.
Tape this clue to a book.
Hide this prize on a bookshelf.
Orange Team
Clue 9
This is all, your game is done,
Enjoy your vacation, have lots of fun!
You may hide in an orange balloon.
Home