Treasure Hunt

With Ava's broken wrists, it's been both interesting and challenging to find new ways to play.  Other than watching lots of movies and reading many books, we've tried to get creative as well.  Our biggest hit, so far, has been the treasure hunt that I created for both Ava and Hudson.  Since Pirates of the Caribbean was our favorite ride at Disney, we've been pretty pirate-crazy this summer, and the kids are still talking about this hunt.

Here's what I did:

 

(1) Picked eight places around the house to hide clues and wrote accompanying riddles for each one.  Ava can read, and she only needed a little help with the riddles.  Then she and Hudson would go where the riddle instructed to find the next clue.  This was their favorite part.

 

Sample (this clue sent them to the fridge for the next clue):

I am tall, silver, and quite cold.

Do you know the things I hold?

Sips & fruit & Cokes & meat.

All the things you like to eat!

 

(2) The final clue sent them to dig for the treasure, but with a twist.  They had a final task to complete together, using teamwork, before they received their treasure.  In this case, I wrapped a puzzle, and they had to put it together in order to earn their treasure.  (Ava hated this part, but Hudson thought it was cool.)

 

(3) Finally, they earned their treasure and unwrapped more fun play activities: Play-Doh, stickers, and some candy.  This kept them busy longer than the actual treasure hunt!

 

We really enjoyed this activity (I had as much fun making it as they did completing it), and hopefully it might help anyone else who needs some end-of-summer play ideas.