Treasure Hunt Map by Kaboose

What you'll need:

• Large piece of drawing paper
• Crayons
• Treasures to hide and be found
• Stop watch
• Paper lunch bag or plastic grocery bag
• Brown paint
• Water
• Paintbrush
  

How to make it:

1. First survey the campground area or backyard that you would like to use for your treasure hunt.
2. Take a piece of paper and a pencil with you to jot down notes so you can create your map.
3. Draw out your map and decide where the "treasures" will be hidden.
4. Mark hiding spots with a red or pink "X". (See photo 1, photo 2.)
5. Age your map by carefully crumpling it up in your hands. Open it back up then crumple it again.
6. Tear the edges of the paper to give it a worn look.
7. Add a small amount of brown paint (about the size of a dime) to 2 tablespoon of water. Mix together and use the watered down paint to darken the edges of your map. Water the mixture down even more and paint the entire map. Let dry in the sun.
8. Go and hide your treasures. Some ideas might include a small stuffed toy, a plastic fork, a stick with a scrap of material tied to it, and so on.
9. Make a list of the treasure that need to be found and any additional instructions. For example, in addition to finding the treasures, one instruction may by to stop at the big rocks by the water and use a bucket (that you placed there) to collect some water. Use the water in the bucket to water a tree.
10. To play the game, you can either tell the player what they are looking for or give them a list. Hand them the map and paper bag. They are to use the pink or red X's to find their treasures. Start the stopwatch and end it when they return with all the treasures. The player with the best time wins!