{"id":392,"date":"2022-03-03T11:52:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T11:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/?p=392"},"modified":"2023-06-13T00:16:19","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T00:16:19","slug":"15-epic-treasure-hunt-prizes-for-kids-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dadstuffsite.com\/15-epic-treasure-hunt-prizes-for-kids-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Epic Treasure Hunt Prizes for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this post, at no additional cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone new to Dad Stuff, you should know that I\u2019m a big fan of making treasure hunts for my kids. I love to create an epic story where they have to solve clues and ciphers to discover a special prize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But almost more difficult than figuring out how to do different treasure hunts (check out my Caesar Cipher<\/a>, Ottendorf Cipher<\/a>, and Book Cipher <\/a>treasure hunts here) is coming up with a sufficiently cool final prize (the \u201ctreasure\u201d). I can always give candy, but as any experienced parent knows, that usually causes more problems than it solves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also don\u2019t want to just buy them stuff. Not only do my kids have enough stuff, (how on earth did we end up with so many Legos?) I don\u2019t need to raise entitled kids that expect presents all the time. Back in my day we never\u2026 (I\u2019ll just stop there before the grumpy old man comes out again.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides, I\u2019m not made of money. And doing an activity with my kids shouldn\u2019t always mean having to buy something. In fact, some of the most fun times we have as a family are often the times when we\u2019ve spent no money at all. (And news flash\u2026having kids can be expensive. Violin lessons anyone\u2026?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I\u2019ve come up with 15 that I\u2019ve split into three categories: big surprises, everyday treats (the cheap to free stuff), and fun prizes. The price tags of these suggestions range from crazy expensive (but as you\u2019ll read, it was something you were going to do anyway) to free.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is originally from www.dadstuffsite.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more: <\/em><\/strong>6 Secret Codes and Ciphers to Teach Young Kids<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big Surprises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These are the things that are the priciest, but they\u2019re things you were already going to pay for anyway. I\u2019m not suggesting you go out of your way to buy one of these prizes for completing a treasure hunt, but rather you are using a treasure hunt to lead to a big reveal of something already planned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. “We’re Going to Disney World!!!” (Or Some Other Family Vacation)<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You got your plans set for your Disney vacation (or some other family vacation), now you need to announce it to your kids. Print out a certificate from Canva with the classic \u201cWe\u2019re going to Disneyworld!\u201d (or wherever you plan on going) and have that as the final prize of your hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Amusement Park\/Water Park<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is a slightly downsized version of the family vacation. A much more realistic family day out (and you\u2019re even cooler if you let your kids miss a day of school. Not that I\u2019m suggesting truancy; that would be irresponsible of me\u2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Tickets to a Sporting Event<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Tickets to go see your favorite sportsball team is a great fun reveal, especially if it\u2019s something your kids are super into or if it\u2019s their first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is originally from www.dadstuffsite.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Reveal a New Baby Brother\/Sister<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Just to reiterate, this section is stuff you already had planned and the treasure hunt is a chance for a fun reveal. I am by no means suggesting you have a baby just to give your kids a prize for a rainy day activity. Just sayin\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A variation of the baby sister\/brother reveal is a gender reveal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Surprise Visit from Family<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

My kiddos love their out-of-town family and having grandparents come to visit is a huge treat. It\u2019s also kind of fun to make my parents excitedly wait in another room while a 6- and 8-year-old slowly work out the clues to a coded message. It\u2019s especially fun when they\u2019re hiding and have to go to the bathroom\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. “A New Car!!!” (or some other big purchase)<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Okay, so not really a new car. But maybe a new bike, or laptop, or iPad. This is the large purchase you were going to give them anyway. Now you just have to give them a bit of a task to earn it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyday Treats (Cheap to Free)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is where we start exploring more creative outlets for prizes. These are the things that I love to do because a.) it\u2019s cheap (have I mentioned I\u2019m cheap?), and b.) are more family-centric. Obviously I love my family, and I love finding things that bring us together and help us to grow even closer to each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. “Rescue Their Favorite Stuffy”<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Stuffed<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Okay, so we gotta be careful about this one. We want to make sure your kids don\u2019t think their stuffy is being held hostage. You don\u2019t need to bring them to tears. Think of this as an adventure in which your kids get to be the hero and rescue their favorite fluffy friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Pie in My Face<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I mean, I would pay money to throw a pie in my dad\u2019s face. And I\u2019m 40\u2026 (one day I\u2019ll grow up. Maybe.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is originally from www.dadstuffsite.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Bonus Tech Time<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is especially great if you need a longer morning\/afternoon activity. Let them solve the puzzle (which is good for their brains) to give them more time to turn their brains to pudding playing games. It\u2019s all about bringing balance to the force. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. One Free “Yes Day”<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\""Yes<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t heard of a yes day, it\u2019s essentially a day where the answer to whatever the kiddos ask for is yes. Sounds terrifying right? Here are some ground rules:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • It cannot be anything dangerous or illegal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • No screen time (or extra screen time)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • There is a limited (to no) budget<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • No wishing for more wishes. It must happen in the present. Nothing for the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Fun Prizes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This is the area where you\u2019re going to spend some money, but a reasonable amount. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11. Movie Tickets<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    This works for a great family night out. Bonus: if they clean their rooms they can get popcorn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12. Pizza and Ice Cream<\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s be honest, this is just as much for myself as it is for my kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This article is originally from www.dadstuffsite.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    13. “Some Assembly Required”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n