How to Plan a Jigsaw Treasure Hunt

A basic treasure hunt usually involves hidden clues, a map and a "treasure" to uncover. Sometimes the clues are very straightforward and describe the next location for the player to go to. Other times, the clues are actually poems, pictures, scrambled phrases or objects which, instead of giving away the next location, require the player to solve a riddle to find out where the next clue is hidden. This is where puzzles can come into play.

To use a jigsaw puzzle as a clue, you have a few options:

• Write the location of the next clue on the back of the puzzle. Disassemble it and leave it where it's to be discovered. When the players find the puzzle, they must assemble it to get their clue. To make it a little harder, you could scramble your words, use a secret code which has to be deciphered using a key (perhaps from a previous clue), or use a poem which the player has to interpret.
• Alternatively, you could simply use a picture representing the clue--either an actual picture of the next location or a picture which merely hints at it. Cut it up into irregular shapes so the treasure hunters will need to piece it back together to see what it is.
• Another option is to place one puzzle piece at each location, along with a clue leading the player to the next stop in the treasure hunt. Once the players collect all of the puzzle pieces, they can assemble it and decipher the clue to win the game or discover the location of the treasure.

Make sure to get creative with your puzzle placement as well. If you are hosting your treasure hunt indoors, hide your clues inside of furniture, clothing pockets or under, in or behind things that we use daily--such as the TV or inside a box of cereal. Outdoors, your treasure hunt can be as big or small as you'd like. Use the backyard, a park or even an entire city!

Using these strategies and tips will help you add a creative twist to your treasure hunt. By incorporating puzzles you increase the challenge, and with it the fun, anticipation and excitement of the hunt.

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