Valentine Day Treasure Hunt

Several weeks ago I posted an idea for a Valentine’s Day activity.  The activity was a treasure hunt.  Now, before I go any further, I discovered that many mistake scavenger hunt for treasure hunt...which is a BIG difference.

A scavenger hunt is where you give the participant(s) a list and they must either go door to door or around their neighborhood scavenging for what is on the list.  The first to return with all the items, wins.  Now, a treasure hunt is where you give the participant a clue, which leads them to the next clue, and ultimately the clues lead them to the final result or “treasure”. 

Needless to say, I find treasure hunts a lot more fun and this is what I ultimately did for my husband  this year for Valentine ’s Day.  I did it early so that all of you could copy the idea if you are struggling to come up with something a little unique.  J Below are my clues and how I set everything up.

To start off the hunt, I wrapped his first clue in a gift bag with tissue paper. 

 

Roses are red,
violets are blue
a challenging treasure hunt
now awaits you…

If you’re ready, ask for your first clue.

So, of course, he was interested and asked for his first clue, which read:              

1. It’s edible, it can be milk, dark or white and it’s incredibly popular as a gift for Valentine’s Day.  In fact, many books have been written on the subject…learn more at the nearest Library.

Hint:  You’ll have to do some searching

I made sure that I gave him the first clue around the time the library opened.  I actually went the day before and hid the clue inside a book titled “Chocolate, chocolate.”

His next clue (which was hidden inside the book) read:

2. It’s one of the most romantic movies of all time (according to moviefone.com), it’s quite funny and from time to time you like to quote from it.  Head to the nearest Smith’s and ask for the movie department manager to see if you know the answer.

Hint:  “As you wish.”

 

For this clue, I actually went to Smith’s the day before and explained what I wanted to do.  I purchased the movie, talked with the manager (who was fortunately working the next day) and left the manager with the purchased movie and next clue.  My husband told me after the hunt that he was so glad that I included the website of where I found the top list in clue #2.  He stayed at the library and researched the answer before he headed off to Smith’s. 

 

After he successfully told the store manager what the title of the movie was (it was Princess Bride), he was off to his next destination which include a pharmacy in search of M&M’s.  The clue only made sense to him, so that is why I omitted it here, but he knew that he needed to go to a specific location and find M&M’s in the Valentine isle.

 

To plant the M&M clue, I went the day of.  After my husband left in search of his second clue, I headed straight to the pharmacy, purchased the bag of M&M’s and talked with the cashier.  I wrote on the receipt for my husband to ask for “Tina” (the woman who sold me the M&M’s), tucked the receipt inside the clue (that was then taped to the M&M’s bag) and hid the bag back on the shelf.

 

 

My husband’s last clue led him to a nearby park that our dog absolutely loves.  In the middle of the field where we throw the Frisbee for my dog, was a bunch of balloons and his last clue.  This was also a clue that I planted while my husband was on the treasure hunt.   

 

His last clue read:

    It isn’t far from here and more than anything, I love spending time with you in this spot. 

 

The answer was home, where I had prepared a fun lunch and decorated the table with rose petals.

 

I gave him a total of 5 clues where he had to drive to each destination.  It took him a little less than an hour to complete the hunt…just enough time for me to run to the pharmacy, plant the balloons and get back home to prepare lunch.  If I wouldn’t have been organized, however, it wouldn’t have worked.  So, if you are going to do this, I recommend the following:

 

         

• Plant as many clues as you can the day before and do so in the reverse intended order.  So, for example, going to Smith’s first and talking with the store manager allowed me to edit the clue that led my husband to Smith’s.   For those places that have high traffic or where the clue won’t last long (i.e. the balloons) make those destinations toward the end of the hunt, giving you plenty of time to head out and place the clues after your hunter leaves.

I have to say this was so much fun to put together.  My husband also said he had a great time and really enjoyed going from place to place because he didn’t know what to expect.  If you decide to do a treasure hunt this Saturday, best of luck and  have fun.  Happy Valentine’s Day.