for your Kindle!
Try this Halloween-themed treasure hunt with the whole family at home or on a bigger scale at a kids party. It’s not too scary so it will work for the little ones who spook easily, but it’s got enough of a challenge in it to be fun:
Write the clues on our template provided here - cut them out and write on them on the black hats in a silver or gold pen for special Halloween glitz.
Without the children seeing, plant each clue on the answer to the previous clue.
The first clue can be in a letter which you read, setting up the story behind the treasure hunt. It is really effective if it’s sealed in an envelope, mysteriously appearing on the front doormat. If the children are old enough to read then let them get on with it, otherwise play along with them like it’s the first time you’ve ever read it – be intrigued by each clue, especially the letter when you ‘discover’ it.
Here’s the letter with the first clue to get it going. Feel free to write it out, copy and paste it into your own document or here’s one I made earlier for you to save time and hit the print button! Halloween Treasure Hunt Letter.
Hello to you on this spooky night
I hope this letter doesn’t come as a fright.Unpick the tricks and solve the clues
There are treats to be found if you so choose.
So let us begin with clue number one…
Witches fly everywhere on these and they’re good for sweeping up crumbs.
Answer: Broomstick (any old sweeping brush will do, but if you want something a little more authentic and actually serves a purpose in the garden, go for this…click on the one below at amazon for only £4.99)
The items that are the answers to each of the clues are easy to come by in the run up to Halloween, though you may already have them at home. As for the treasure, choose from the enormous range of Halloween sweets available (check out the John Lewis Halloween Shop, which has a huge selection), make Halloween cupcakes or buy something fun like fake stick-on moustaches
There are eleven creepy clues in total with the first one in the opening letter.
Clue 2. An orange head with wicked eyes that Jack O’Lantern… But what is he made from?
Answer. Pumpkin ( I am sure you will be able to find one of these)
Clue 3. Don’t eat too many treats or you’ll lose these precious pearly whites.
Answer. Teeth – these ones on amazon will make some great snaps!
Clue 4. It’s pointy and black and worn on a witches head.
Answer. Witches Hat (also doubles up as a trick or treat vessel)
Clue 5. Make a spell by mixing up some yucky things in this big black pot.
Answer. Cauldron (good for bath time fun too)
Clue 6. This is like a witches bible, full of handy recipes.
Answer. Spell book
(I used the sleeve of a hardback book, turned it round the other way, wrote Book of Spells on the front and spine in big letters and re-wrapped the book. Then pop it on the shelf.)
Clue 7. It’s red and gooey, comes out when you have a cut and vampires love it.
Answer. Blood (the fake stuff available here… great fun to add to any costumes or for later when going out trick or treating)
Clue 8. This monster has knobbly knees, turned out toes, and a poisonous wart on the end of its nose, oh and orange eyes, a tongue all black and purple prickles down his back.
Answer. The Gruffalo (if you have the book, use that, or a toy would be good. Here’s the book from Amazon.co.uk…a classic)
Clue 9. I’ve got eight legs, a little black body and I live in a web. What am I?Answer. Spider (these little plastic jobs will make excellent party bag fillers as well)
Clue 10. The only word that ghosts know and what you say to make someone jump.
Answer. Boo (you could make a Boo decoration yourself by writing it in big bold letters on a piece of card or paper and hanging it up somewhere, or here’s a good idea… party plates -pack of 8 with Boo as the design!)
Clue 11. The treasure is close… Is it a box of tricks, or is it a box of treats… or is it just a box of cereal?!
Answer. A box of cereal which has all the treasure inside.
As for the treasure, you could choose from the enormous range of Halloween sweets available (check out the John Lewis Halloween Shop, which has a huge selection) or make Halloween cupcakes or choose something fun like fake stick-on moustaches
There we go! That should get your halloween off to a howling start. I’ll do another post soon with some more goulish games that are fun too without being too terrifying for the little ones.
