Treasure hunt is a game that most children love to do. You can play it anytime anywhere over the year. Since we are in summer time here in Australia and my son just love to play this game, I have some ideas to share. You may know already or you can add your own creativity on the game.

What you need:

• Color garden stones/rocks (You can either use one color or more, this time I will use 4 different colors); Here  you can get at Bunnings or Things, they quite cheap.
• Treats (such as cold homemade jelly or icy poles or fruit salad with ice cream, etc; You decide)
• Note: If you want to be more creative, you can always draw the map for them.

How to Play:

• Hide those stones/rocks around your garden (or in the house, depend where you want to play it; garden is always good, make sure not on the very hot day)
• Ask your child/ren and their friends (if the friends around) to find the stones. You can ask each kids to find each different color stones (If you decide having 4 different color stones), or just certain number of stone.
• Whoever find the stones, they can trade them with treats you have prepared earlier (you can prepared one type of treat or different types and let the kids pick one)
• Note: you can always create a group if there are many children

When you should play this game:

• For morning play, it is better to let them trade the rocks after lunch. Before you play you tell them that there will be a treat for trading the stones/rocks they have found after they have their lunch.
• For afternoon play, you can play and trade anytime suit you. The nice cold treats always make this hot summer day and the treasure hunt worth to try.

Other idea:

1. if you wish the treasure hunt is more challenging (probably for older kids, let say 5 years old and up), you can let them trade the rocks with beads so they can make their own jewellery.
2. Or if you have giant floor puzzle, hide those pieces and let the children find them and put the puzzle together. If you have more than one puzzle it would be great to make a group. Each group find each pair puzzle. When they finish, they deserve to have the treats.

So parent, be creative on this school summer holiday. Have fun with the treasure hunt!