A treasure hunt trail is a simple series of clues, one leading to the next.

The secret to setting one up is by starting where the treasure is, and working backwards.

Hide the treasure.

While you are there, write a clue of how to find the treasure.

Find where you would like the final clue to be and fold the piece of paper up – the unfolding of the unknown is part of the excitement.

Hide it with just a small corner showing.

While you are there, on the next piece of paper, write the clue of how to find that clue.

Find where you would like the preceding clue to be and repeat the process until you get to where you would like it all to start.

Any more than ten clues could get a bit tedious so try not to get too carried away.

Set your clues at a level that will challenge the people taking part but that are all solvable with a little time i.e. counting based problems have one definitive answer but cryptic puzzles can be impossible if you don’t have a clue. With a treasure trail, if you get stuck on one clue then that is the end of the adventure.

Using this method you can only have one person or one group take part and it only has one use – but it is a great method for something like a marriage proposal, children’s parties, or Easter egg hunts.

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