Fourth of July Treasure Hunt

Flag Puzzle Riddle Hunt (US Version-customize for your country)

Create a representation of the flag on paper (or just print out a flag). Create a riddle hunt with 14 riddles. On the back of the paper glue the clue to your final location. Then cut the flag into thirteen strips (or the strips and blue area separately)(or into puzzle shape pieces – as many pieces as you want clues). Put a piece of the flag in each location with the clue to the next piece. Tell the children they have to help make the flag by finding all the pieces. Read the first clue to send them to the first location. Once all of the flag pieces are found and the puzzle is put back together, they can read the final clue on the back to send them to the last location for a surprise!

13 Original Colonies Hunt (US version-customize for your country)

Have the children pretend they are the messengers telling each of the thirteen colonies that they are independent! Select thirteen locations from the Riddle Me inventory. Give each location the name of one of the thirteen colonies (Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.) Place a copy of each states flag in the location. Start your hunt by giving the children a clue to send them to the first “state”. When they find it, they should say, “Happy Independence Day (and the state’s name)!” Then read the next clue to the next location or “state”. Have them bring each flag with them so in the end all the the thirteen colonies flags will be together – becoming the original United States. You could make a parade with sparklers and the flags while everyone sings “America the Beautiful”.

National Treasure Hunt (US Version-customize for your country)

Have a paper representing the Declaration of Independence. Select locations you want the children to go to from Riddle Me’s hunt inventory. On the back of the Declaration paper put the first clue and only half of the clue for each of the other locations. Then hide the other half of the clues with an item in each of the other locations. The items with the clues could be something like sunglasses, paper money, a piece of carved wood – items similar to the National Treasure movie. Give the children the map and have them read the first clue. It will send them to the first location and the rest of the second clue. The final clue would lead them to the treasure, maybe a cake decorated like the flag or gold coin candies. Then watch the movie National Treasure staring Nicolas Cage.

Historical Hunt (US Version)

Put clues to the next location inside red, white, and blue balloons. On the outside of the balloon, once it is inflated, write a simple question about Independence Day on it with a permanent marker or print them out and tape them to the balloon. Then hide them in the locations you generated with this riddle hunt.

When the players come to each location, they must read the question first. When they answer it correctly, they may pop the balloon to get the next clue. The players should be allowed some help or be able to access the internet to look up some of the answers that stump them.

Possible questions

  • What is the name of the paper that was signed declaring independence?
  • In what year was the Declaration of Independence signed?
  • How many colonies united to declare independence?
  • Name one person who signed the Declaration of Independence.
  • Who was the first president of the United States?
  • What country did the colonies declare their independence from?
  • How many stripes are on the flag and why?
  • What do the stars on the flag represent?
  • What is the name of the national anthem?

With this online version of Riddle Me, in step 3 of the hunt you can now select to include history questions on the clues themselves so players could just pop the balloons and answer the question on the clue card before answering the clue to the next location.

Family Photo Hunt

Many families celebrate the 4th of July together. Print a list of patriotic items to do in a digital photo hunt like something red, white, and blue; or cemetery; support our troops ribbon; or city hall. You can even add your own ideas. Each group has a camera and travels together throughout town to take a picture of each thing on the list. Set a time for everyone to return and see who has found the most.

Variations on Fourth of July treasure hunts

-You could have some fireworks available at the end of the hunt for the children to light
-You could put fireworks along the way so they can use them as they go

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.