We did our first Family Scavenger Hunt. It was SOOO fun! We'll definitely do it again!
I baked a pan of brownies and placed 5 bite sized pieces on each of 6 plates. I also assembled a collage of pictures (see below), printed it out, and cut out each picture like a puzzle piece. Each plate got a puzzle piece picture. The last thing I added to each plate was a question that was a clue to the next location and the next family member.
While Fred got the kids ready for bed, I distributed the assembled plates to their various spots.
We all met in the kitchen and this was the first clue:
What does this person like to do in the living room that sounds pretty?
With some prompting they guessed, "Mama likes to play the piano!" So they ran to the piano and found the first plate of brownies, with the picture of me confirming that I was the right answer.
The clue stuck in one of the brownies read:
What does this person like to do that gets him all messy?
It didn't take long for them to deduce that it was Kai, who loves to eat. So they found the next plate on his high chair, with his picture and the next clue which went:
What does this person like to do outside?
Charla knew right away that it was referring to her and they bolted outside. She begs to eat outside every night and she loves swinging on the swing set. They found the plate, Charla's picture puzzle piece, and the next clue on one of the patio chairs.
With great excitement and mouths full of brownies we read:
What does this person like to wear to bed?
I was afraid the clue might be a bit obscure, but they figured out it was referring to Leora who wears a froofy dress over her pajamas every night. The next plate was found hidden in the chest that holds the dress-up clothes. We stapled the picture of Leora into place with the other pieces and read the clue:
What does this person like to do that uses Lego's and Star Wars?
I hadn't realized how misleading it was, since Gregory's passion right now is playing Lego Star Wars on the PC downstairs. I clarified that it was something upstairs. Eventually they figured out that I was referring to the numerous Star Wars creations Gregory makes from Lego's in his room.
After savoring another bite of brownie (ok, the kids horked it down) we read the final clue:
What does this person like to with the kids right before bed?
Fred reads to the kids every night right before lights out. They raced to the girls' room and found the last plate and the last puzzle piece on the bed.
We finished assembling the puzzle and then took turns saying things we liked about another family member. I started with complimenting Gregory, who then complimented me, so I got another turn. I paid Fred a compliment and then he said something he loves about Charla, etc. I was afraid I'd lose them at this point, and eventually did, but we actually kept it going for a while!
Then they went to bed.
It was such a wonderful experience! I LOVE having such a spread of ages, but all still so young and eager. There is truly nothing better in life than having a family.
