How to set up a Treasure Hunt for a Harry Potter birthday party
A treasure hunt for a Harry Potter birthday party – one of the most popular activities, one that the children really like. This printable Harry Potter themed treasure hunt is ready to use and very easy to put in place.
It’s the most exciting way to create a “wizarding atmosphere” at your child’s birthday party!
- You will be celebrating your child’s birthday at home and you are looking for games that are easy to organise?
- Your child is a Harry Potter fan and has read all the Harry Potter books or watched all the movies?
Great! This Treasure Hunt was created for children like yours!
What age group is this for?
This Treasure Hunt is ideal for children between 9 and 12 years old. Some younger children will enjoy it as well, if they know something about Harry Potter! As the children will use their knowledge of the Magical World of Harry Potter to find the clues and answer the riddles, certainly they have to know some basic facts about it. They will go from one clue to another putting their creativity into practice to find the treasure. In other words, if the children have watched the Harry Potter movies or have read the books, they will enjoy this Treasure Hunt and it will be easy for them to succeed!
Where and how to play?
This Treasure Hunt can be set partly indoors, partly outdoors. Some clue locations are fixed to spots any house or apartment has. Therefore, you don’t need to think much as to where to hide the clues. However, some clues, and of course the treasure, can be hidden at your convenience. Just follow the detailed instructions that will help you understand the magic of the Harry Potter world! Similarly you will discover different creatures that are part of it. Some clues come with pictures that you have to print – in this case you just stick the picture to a wall (or to a tree if you are playing outdoors) to indicate that the children have to search around for a clue.
This treasure hunt comes with 12 clues that players must solve to find the treasure. Each clue or riddle leads to the next location, which makes a reference to some of the events or places described in the Harry Potter books and movies.
Even if you are not familiar with the magical world of Harry Potter, this Treasure Hunt will be easy for you to organise, as it comes with some explanations that will clarify the clues to you. Not only will you understand why your child is dreaming to be a part of the Magical World of Harry Potter, above all it will help you to set up an amazing adventure for the children in no time.
The teams
One child and more can play this Treasure hunt. Depending on the number of children you will have at your party, you can make one or two teams. For example, it will be better to make two teams of five children than having one team of ten. You can have ten children per team, but they will be less involved in the game. Depending on the children and how difficult your hiding spots will be, the treasure hunt will last about 30 min.
This Harry Potter themed Treasure Hunt comes with 2 sets of clues – for Team 1 and Team 2. You just have to print them. To distinguish the messages for Teams 1 and 2 you can print them on paper of different colours, or wrap the messages with a string or a ribbon of two colours (for example red for Team 1 and gold for Team 2).
The rules
For a successful treasure hunt, explain the following rules to the children:
- The members of each team have to stay together and move to the next clue together.
- This treasure hunt is not a race; the teams are not competing against each other.
- To find the treasure, both teams will need to reveal some clues and put them together.
- It’s important to not lose the clues that are not solved – they might be needed later!!!
- Each team can take only the messages of their colour. It’s very important, because if one of the teams can’t get to the end of the treasure hunt, no one will be able to find the treasure!
What else will you need to set up the Treasure Hunt?
You will need a printer to print the clues and some pictures included.
In addition, you will have to buy some balloons – they will host some of the clues.
3 in 1 Treasure hunt
For the “Treasure” you can use whatever you want, but again, get inspired by Harry Potter!
The DIY “Snitch” candies out of golden Ferrero Rocher could be a nice option.
You can make them in advance using the printable wings included, or let the children make their party favours themselves after the treasure hunt is finished.
The magic wands
A Magic Wand is a “must have” accessory for any witch or wizard. Therefore you will find within this printable Harry Potter treasure hunt an optional activity for the children – magic wand making.
It includes the printable design of Magic Wand tops, that you can use to set an extra activity in two minutes. The children will make their magic wands using chopsticks and the designs included. Wouldn’t it be a nice activity to start your party?
To sum up, this treasure hunt is a 3 in 1 activity.
Firstly, the children will make their Magic Wands.
Secondly, they will play the Treasure Hunt, looking for clues you will hide.
Moreover, you will get a great idea for a Harry Potter themed treasure – just print the Golden wings!
I hope these ideas will help you organise your party easily and the children will have a lot of fun!!!
Wishing you a great party,
Anna Yaga
