Board Game Scavenger Hunt

Game Scavenger Hunt

I used to play a particular computer game with my mom where you played mini-games and earned coded clues to find a bad guy and win a prize but I can't remember the name of it so I decided to recreate a real life version to mix up this COVID-19 quarantine situation.

Goal: Win games to earn coded clues and find a prize.

How it Works:

1. Parents create a code key with the type of prize, the room it is in, and two categories for where in the room. Also create a little "book" of the different codes on a piece of paper (ie, if you look at the paper below, Treats category was frog stamps and each reward was represented by a different number of frogs.) Roll a six sides die for each category and hide the prize!

Our code key (please excuse the errors! We were very tired 😂):

We created Four categories (Treat, Room, Where, and Object in the room it was near), each represented by a different stamp (Treats=frogs, Room=spider, Where=Bat, and Object=Lizard). Each category had Five options, plus a Sixth mystery option. I numbered the options and that was the code (ie, a plushy was indicated by 4 Frogs and the kitchen was indicated by 1 Spider).

The bottom card is the roll results (we used the Google die roller). The first row is my oldest: He got a 6, 5, 4, 1 so he got a mystery treat in the reading room in front of the table. My little one got a 4, 4, 3, 5 so he got a plushy in the bathroom underneath the counter.


Their code book, with a completed code card underneath: (there are some stamps on the backs of the pages too)

The two larger pages are the code book. As we played, he earned clues which we stamped onto his code card (the smaller notecard on the bottom). After he had a clue for each category, he was able to find his prize by counting how many of each kind of stamps he had and finding the word associated with that number of stamps. Ie, he had four frogs which indicated he had won a plushy.

2. Play a board game or card game (either the same game four times or different games). For extra fun, set up a different game in different rooms of your house and make the kid travel around to find the games and the prizes. When your child wins a game, give them the stamps on a paper that coordinate with where their prize is.

Tips:
*Choose shorter games because they have to complete several to find their prize. Save Monopoly, Life, and similar for a time when they are the only game you play.
*There is also no reason you have to stick to board games. You could always play active games too, indoors or out!
*Depending on the age of the child, you can adjust the rules. You can give them stamps for completing the game with a good attitude, to make it go faster.
*Prizes: You can use small gifts, treats, or anything the child might find rewarding. If you don't want to do food or item prizes, you can put a card in the hiding spot indicating what they won (ie, extra video game time, extra bedtime story, a special bike and picnic outing, etc) <- this blog post was written during a time of government enforced social distancing so it does not include interactions with people outside the home (thanks COVID-19). Once we are free of these restrictions, use your imagination!
*For younger kids: have them participate in cooperative games, matching games, and simple card games (ie, War).


Game Ideas: (suggestions vary in length. Choose games according to the age of your child and how long you have time for/how long their attention span is)

Battleship (this one can take awhile, though! so be aware)
Mancala (you can do a version on a sheet of paper with markers, if you don't have a set)
Uno
Card Games (see below)
Chutes and Ladders
Candy Land
Checkers
Guess Who
Tic Tac To
Memory

A deck of standard playing cards:
War
Slap Jack
Old Maid
Egyptian Rat Screw


But wait! What if you don't have any of these games, or want to play something ELSE? Sometimes I feel like I'm in a game rut and I want to try something new. There are some games you can print out or draw on a piece of paper and use anything you want as markers (we usually use decorative glass marbles as alternatives). These don't even get into the MASSIVE print and play movement where there are tons of little card games that people put together.

Alternative Game Ideas: (games that only need a pen, paper, and markers to play!)

*Tigers and Goats
I grew up calling this game Tiger and Bird, from a set that my dad acquired in the 80s. There are two tigers and 20 goats. The goal of the game is for the tiger to eat all the goats, or the goats to surround the tigers. Its not as easy as it sounds! Even my gamer husband loves this game and finds it challenging, but the 4 and 7 year old can play it too.
https://www.mastersofgames.com/rules/tigers-goats-rules.htm (5x5 board)

*Seega
Place all your pieces and then try to capture your opponent's pieces!
http://www.cyningstan.com/game/120/seega (5x5 board)

*Dara
Take turns to place all your pieces on the board, the move to capture all your opponent's pieces!
http://www.cyningstan.com/game/148/dara (5x6 board)

*Shisima
My gamer husband may like this more than the kids (but its fun for all). Try to get your pieces three in a row.
https://b-inspiredmama.com/shisima-cool-math-game/ (Octagon, played on the points and in the middle)

*Five Field Kono
My 7 year old is way too good at this checkers like game!
https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/five-field-kono/  (4x4 board, played on the intersections)

*Tetris
I found a printable version of Tetris! Very cool! https://onemamasdailydrama.com/tetris-printable-game-board-pieces/

*Code Breaker
Use the rules for the boardgame Mastermind but draw it on a sheet of paper with crayons instead of using pegs. I began playing this game with my son when he was 2! For younger kids, give them verbal feedback on their codes and make sure to explain the logic when they make their next guess. (Ie "If this one was the right color and wrong spot, what should we do?" and make suggestions)
Rules: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastermind_(board_game)


General Resources: (check out more games and rules here! Most, if not all, can be played with pen, paper, and markers. Sometimes a die too)

https://www.mastersofgames.com/cat/board/board-games-historical.htm

https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/games/

https://b-inspiredmama.com/category/play-and-learn/fun-with-games/



Solitary game resources: (games the kids can play by themselves, once you teach them the rules!)

https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/solitaire-board-games/ So many options! Peg Triangle Game (like the one at Cracker Barrel), Patience, and CrissCross.

https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/tchuka-ruma/ Solitary Mancala