Minimal Prep Time Tip 2 - Egg Hunt, Scavenger Hunt, Treasure Hunt
Egg Hunt, Scavenger Hunt, Treasure Hunt
Call it whatever you want - it’s awesome any which way and my kids played it today, twice.. Even my 5-year-old who can’t read yet made one...and we just had to guess. The end result both times today - fun cooperative learning, satisfaction in conquering the challenge, and of course, gummy, yummy treats.
The exciting thing about a hunt is that it’s different every time. It makes the creator write riddles or clues, find interesting and different places to hide clues or eggs, and requires that the participants problem-solve using good communication skills. And it’s great exercise - I literally had to run to keep up with our little familial group, because they were running from clue to clue as they figured it out. And since they make the clues, it is also something that takes almost no prep from you, just your happy enjoyment.
My advice, you do it first when you introduce that activity for the first time. Show them how the master does it. That is your only prep.
Egg Hunt
This is easiest for non-readers. And, you do not need to put anything inside the eggs. This is not an Easter Egg Hunt. This is simply an egg hunt. My kids go on about 100 egg hunts a year at their Mimi and Papa’s house with empty eggs. The novelty never grows old. You hide them. Try to use about 15-20 eggs per kid. You can hide eggs by areas so that the younger kids get a certain area, or just let the younger kids get a 30 second head start. Then, have them do it again, but this time one of them gets to hide it for the others. You can choose to participate or get some work done. They can use the backyard, the garden, the house. The best part - they might want to play 3-5 times in a row as long as they get their turn to hide the eggs themselves.
The educational component is vast in this area. Just be creative. For little ones, have them count their eggs, and then have them count their halves. You can have them put them in categories by color or in a specific order of their choosing. A great idea for the older ones is to actually put something in the eggs to make it an educational experience. It can be numbers you wrote on slips of paper that they have to add or multiply. It can be coins (that they can keep!) to practice with money. It can be words you write that they have to make a story using all of them or they have to divide the words into parts of speech. It can be random little toy pieces to make an art project, or legos that they need to put together with a time limit and present to you all.
Character Building Integration!
Require that each kid can only get a certain number of eggs. Then they need to help the others find the rest of the eggs. That is when you can focus on working as a team. Teach your kids to help with encouragement and cheering. Teach them to say, “Good job!” every time. Teamwork takes modeling and practice.
Make it a purposeful competition. The one with the most eggs wins. Teach your kids how to win well, “I’m so thankful I got to play with you. That was the best part.” Teach your kids how to lose well, “Congratulations! I knew you could do it. I’m so happy for you!” or “Good job! Can you give me some pointers so I can maybe win next time?” Giving them skills to win and lose gracefully through an egg hunt will help train them to win and lose gracefully in life. When they earn a promotion and their co-workers don’t. When they are passed-over for a job and their friend gets it instead. When they fail their LSAT, or when they get employee of the month. Winning and losing will be a big part of their life. And you can help prepare them for it, with a simple egg hunt.
Scavenger Hunt, Treasure Hunt
This is a more mature version of an egg hunt that takes you on a journey. It can be pirate themed by using words and phrases a pirate might use. It can rhyme. It can be even be just one word. You can give them a Dr. Seuss book and ask them to use some of his words in their clues. Whatever kind of theme, riddle, word play, or challenge your kids want to use or that you want to challenge them with - it’s a great way to practice sequencing and encourage creativity.
You do it first as an example. Here’s some help with a simple one. On slips of paper you can write and hide the following, and then give them clue #1 to get started:
1. I sparkle and quack while I float on bubbles.
So, you put the next clue #2 under the rubber ducky in the bathtub.
2. I get my point across until I need sharpening.
You put your #3 clue where you keep your colored pencils or lead pencils.
3. Try as I might, soon, I will no longer fit. I think it’s time for a Nordstroms trip (or where ever you buy their shoes)
You put your #4 clue inside one of their shoes.
4. Sometimes I slide sideways. Other times backwards. But my favorite way is diagonal when you least expect it.
Then you put the last clue #5 in the Chess board game with the queen.
5. Inside of this holds lots of joy. You used to hold it all the time. It brought you comfort, brought you safety, and most of it all, it brought you love.
Put the treasure in your hand. Could be a snack they love, one Starburst square, or a love note from you. Kick-off the scavenger hunt with creativity, love, and magic.
That’s it! Usually 5-7 clues are the most the kids want to do. And after you do this, they will understand and get a clue on how to do it. You can offer the treasure bag, prepped with snacks, prizes, and treats you approve, for the organizer to choose treats from as the landing place for the last clue destination. It’s so fun that you will want to journey on these hunts with them. At least in the beginning.
Virtual Scavenger Hunts
Looking for a fun virtual activity? If you have a single-child or your children want a friend hunt, this can be something they do virtually. Have your child email their friend’s parents a list of their clues and where to put them. Then, that parent can print them off, cut them up, and hide them. Both friends can do this. Host the virtual play date by phone instead of computer, and let the adventures begin!
Character Building Integration!
Celebrating with each other is one way we feel loved. Teach your kids to celebrate whoever discovers the clue. Teach them to say, “So glad you found it!” When the hunt is over, teach your kids to say, “That was really fun. Thank you for organizing that.” Those little comments go a long way in making a little one’s heart swell with pride. Do not allow any negative talk. For example, if anyone says, “Seriously? It’s so easy! You can’t figure it out?” you stop right there and tell them, “We do not talk that way. It can make us feel sad, and we won’t want to play again.” Catch them right in the moment. Also, sometimes ask your kids to take turns for who gets to read the clue - even if they weren’t the one to discover it. That will teach them how to be inclusive and how to look-out for the younger sibling. Most importantly, they will all feel part of the same team. And as they grow, they will learn to encourage others naturally and sincerely.
Today, this is how we started our school day. Eyes bulged and lit up the room. Some days, it’s how our school days end, and the Spouse gets to join in adding to the goofiness and giggles. These hunts can truly become a hunt for teamwork and bonding while making memories for all.
