Active Indoor Treasure Hunt: Earn Every Clue

It is raining again, the park is a swamp and the kids have already asked for the tablet three times before 10am. There is a game that solves this for plenty of the parents I coach: an active indoor treasure hunt. It works like a normal treasure hunt, with clues hidden around the home, but there is a catch. Every clue has to be earned with an exercise. Ten star jumps to open the next envelope. A bear crawl to the bathroom to find the next one. By the time they reach the treasure, they have done a full workout and they think it was a game.

Here is how to set one up in about 20 minutes.

How an active indoor treasure hunt works

The basic idea is simple:

1. You write 8 to 12 clues. Each clue leads to a hiding place somewhere in the home.
2. Each clue also has an exercise “price” written on it, such as “15 squats” or “crab walk to the next room”.
3. The children must do the exercise before they are allowed to read or follow the clue.
4. The last clue leads to the treasure: a small prize, a snack, a sticker sheet or a “golden ticket” for choosing the film.

That is it. The magic is in the clues and in choosing the right exercises for your kids.

Step-by-step setup (20 minutes)

1. Choose your hiding places

Walk around your home and pick 8 to 12 spots. Good ones include: under a sofa cushion, inside a shoe, in the fridge (sealed envelope), taped under the kitchen table, behind a cereal box, inside the washing machine drum (door open, machine off), in a coat pocket, in the bath, under a pillow and inside a saucepan.

2. Write the clues

For younger kids who cannot read yet, draw a picture of the next hiding place. For older kids, write riddles. A few examples:

• “I have a face but no eyes, and hands that never wave.” (a clock)
• “I keep things cold but I am never sad.” (the fridge)
• “You put your feet in me every day, but I never walk alone.” (a shoe)
• “I get wet every night but I am not a fish.” (the bath)

3. Add an exercise to every clue

Write the exercise on the outside of the folded clue or envelope. They must do it before they open it.

4. Hide them in reverse order

Start by hiding the treasure, then the last clue, then work backwards. Keep clue number one in your hand to give out.

Exercise ideas for the clues

Mix strength moves, jumping moves and silly moves. Keep them safe for indoor spaces: nothing involving running fast round corners or jumping off furniture.

For ages 3 to 5

• 5 big frog jumps
• Bear crawl to the next room
• Stand on one leg and count to 5 (then swap)
• 10 star jumps
• Walk like a crab for 10 steps
• Touch your toes and reach for the ceiling 5 times

For ages 6 to 9

• 15 squats
• 20 star jumps
• Hold a plank for 15 seconds
• 10 lunges (5 each leg)
• Bunny hop to the hallway
• 30 seconds of running on the spot with high knees

For ages 10 and up

• 10 push-ups (knees down is fine)
• 30-second plank
• 20 squat jumps
• 10 burpees
• Wall sit for 30 seconds
• Spell your name with your body, one letter at a time

If you need more inspiration, my post on indoor games to keep kids active has plenty of moves and ideas you can borrow for clues.

Make it fair with siblings of different ages

The biggest complaint I hear from parents is “the big one does all the clues and the little one cries”. Three fixes:

• Take turns reading. Each child opens alternate clues.
• Give each child their own exercise. Write two versions on every clue: “Big: 15 squats. Little: 5 frog jumps.”
• Team up. Siblings must do the exercise together before anyone can open the clue. It turns competition into teamwork.

The party version

An active indoor treasure hunt is brilliant for a birthday party on a wet day. With a bigger group:

• Split children into teams of 3 or 4 with a different coloured set of clues for each team.
• Give each team a different starting point so they do not all crowd one room.
• Have an adult at each “checkpoint” to watch the exercise and hand over the next clue.
• Make the treasure something everyone shares, like a party bag each, so there are no losers.

For more ideas, see my guide to active birthday party ideas.

Safety in a small home

• Clear the floor of toys, cables and rugs that slip.
• No running between rooms. Use walking, crawling or hopping instead.
• Keep hiding places low and safe. Nothing on high shelves or near the oven.
• Do a quick warm-up first: march on the spot, arm circles and a few gentle squats.
• Have water ready. Kids get thirsty fast when they are excited.

Join in yourself

Here is my favourite part. Write a few clues that say “Parent must do this one”. Ten push-ups. A 45-second wall sit. Twenty lunges. Kids love watching their mum or dad struggle, and you get a mini workout on a day when you might otherwise have done nothing. I talk more about this in my post on exercising with your kids.

Where a bootcamp class fits in

A treasure hunt is a great way to get the kids moving. But busy parents need some time where they are the focus. That is what my classes are for. Forty-five minutes, a small group of other mums and dads, music on and a coach planning everything. On a stressful week, my SYP Release stress relief class, with pads and slam balls, is a brilliant way to let it all out.

FAQs

How many clues should an indoor treasure hunt have?

For under 5s, 5 or 6 clues is plenty. For older children, 8 to 12 works well. A good hunt lasts around 20 to 40 minutes.

What prize should I use for the treasure?

It does not need to cost money. Ideas include choosing the film, a favourite snack, stickers, a “stay up 15 minutes later” ticket or a small toy.

Can I do a treasure hunt in a small flat?

Yes. Use lots of hiding spots in one or two rooms and choose exercises that stay on the spot, like squats, star jumps and planks, instead of travelling moves.

How do I make clues for children who cannot read?

Draw simple pictures of each hiding place, or take photos on your phone and show them the picture of where to look next.

Book your first class

When it is your turn to move, come and see me. SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes indoors in a church hall in Archway N19, so the weather never cancels us. There are no more than 10 people in a class, every exercise has an easier and harder option, and it costs £15 a class. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215. If you would rather train on your own with a plan made just for you, read about private personal training in Archway.

About the author

Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.