Dinosaur treasure hunt
Follow six picture clues with a small team and reach a shared box of handmade paper treasure.
Activity steps
- Build six clear clues,For each group of up to six, draw six picture clues on blank cards and number them with markers. Each picture points to an easy landmark on a safe route you have checked. Put the cards in envelopes and mount them with a little removable tape tested on the surface. Give groups separate routes or stagger their starts. Place six dinosaur signs at the start and familiar landmarks. The signs decorate the route; the picture cards still tell guests where to go.
- Make a shared treasure finish,Cut one bright paper token per guest from colored cardstock. Put them in an empty box at the final landmark for each group. Tell guests that the goal is for everyone to finish together and that everyone receives a token. Keep all clues and boxes within the agreed play area. Arrange 24 decorative palm leaves around the room and hang six dinosaur swirls at the shared entrance, above reach. Keep the walking route clear and reuse the room decorations from the clay activity.
- Walk, look and solve together,An adult leads each small group. Look at the first clue, agree where it points, and walk to the next landmark together. Take turns holding a clue, spotting a landmark and suggesting an answer. Give a spoken hint whenever a picture is unclear.
- Celebrate the whole crew,At the last box, share out the paper tokens and invite each guest to name a discovery from the route. Collect all clue envelopes and tape before guests leave.
Test the full route before guests arrive. For readers and non-readers together, use pictures plus a few words. Add time or helpers for more than one group; no one needs to race.
Shopping list for 6 people
- Clay labels and picture-clue cards — 6 cards
- Washable marker assortment — 1 set
- Envelopes for picture clues — 6 envelopes
- Removable paper tape — 1 roll
- Colored cardstock — 6 sheets
- Scissors for the host’s paper tokens — 1 pair
- A box for the shared treasure finish — 1 box
- Dinosaur trail signs — 6 signs
- Decorative palm leaves — 24 leaves
- Watercolor dinosaur hanging swirls — 6 swirls
Use supplies you already have. Enable JavaScript to adjust guests and mark what you need.