Digging for Buried Treasure Party Game
Plan a buried treasure activity for your summer camp or family reunion, they'll love it.
I have provided instructions and party planning tips to make your buried treasure activity a big success.
This game/activity will work with oodles of party themes and can be appropriate for any age group with a few adjustments to the treasure you bury.
Featured May 28th, 2008
A Perfect Activity For Any Party Theme!
You can make this activity work with any party by using themed items as your treasure.
Here are a few examples:
I Guarantee Your Kids Will LOVE This!
And It Will Keep Them Busy For A Long Time
You will be surprised how they squeal with excitement over something like a sparkling marble or a old coin that looks like it's truly been buried for years. Even the tiniest bead or shell becomes a unique treasure when they have to sift through the sand to find it.
My kids and guests were most excited by the old skeleton keys I found. They were truly impressed and showed them off for days after the party.
I am going to share my suggestions for items that work very well as buried treasure but you can always make adjustments that are age and cost effective for the party you are planning. I prefer to keep it authentic, like real treasure, and stick to old metal and glass items versus plastic items but just about anything will work just fine.
When considering the cost of this activity please keep in mind that the buried treasure doubles as a party favor!
Little Tikes Hidden Treasure Sandbox
Amazon Price: $149.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
Planning Your Buried Treasure Activity
- Decide on a party theme.
- Decide how many guests will be invited.
- Decide what your budget will be.
- You will need a sandbox or other large container to bury your treasure in. You can use a plastic swimming pool or if you are at the beach just mark a circle where the treasure will be buried with rocks. For younger children, a brand new sand box would make a great birthday gift and imagine their surprise when they find it filled with buried treasure.
- You will need enough clean sand to fill your container. You can buy play sand at home and garden stores, Toy R Us or even Walmart.
- Go shopping and have fun picking out the treasure. Be sure to buy age appropriate items. If the kids are older I really like to use an assortment of different sized items. Using smaller items keeps them busy longer and makes it more interesting when sifting through the sand. They really have to look more closely for tiny things like beads and pearls.
- You will need some kind of container for each of the children to put their treasure in as they find it. This does not have to be elaborate but make sure they are clearly marked before the party to avoid confusion. It is easy to get upset when you are 6 years old and someone steals your treasure!
- Sand toys are optional but shovels and sifters make searching easier. I like to make them use their hands.
- When you are all ready to bury your treasure, do it in layers. Pour a little sand into your sandbox/container and add some of the larger items. Add more sand and repeat. I like to put the larger items at the bottom and gradually work up to the small things like beads towards the top. This adds to the excitement when they find the bigger treasure as they dig deeper.
- Sit back and relax because you will have time for glass of lemonade or two while they are busy digging!
A brand new sand box would make a great birthday gift and imagine their surprise when they find it filled with buried treasure!
Naturally Playful Sandbox
Amazon Price: $64.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
They'll Need A Map To Find The Treasure
Pirate Treasure Map / dz
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Pirate Treasure Map Great for Pirate Costumes, Plays and Birthday Party Favors
Amazon Price: $2.97 (as of 07/05/2009)
Below are my favorite buried treasure items.
Use your imagination and have fun coming up with your own ideas!
Old skeleton keys were the favorite item from our buried treasure party. I found some great deals below on Amazon and ebay.
Skeleton Keys Are The Crucial Element To Buried Treasure!
This kids will go crazy when they find a "REAL" old key hidden in the sand.
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8" Cro Magnon Skull Decoration
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Glass beads sparkle like rare gems in the summer sun.
Glass Beads
Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow Button Ring Replica
Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
Worthless but unique old coins can be found at coin stores for a really good price. My local coin shop had a bucket full.
Sea Glass
Don't lose your marbles, bury them!
Marbles
Don't forget the seashells. They are easy to find at craft and party stores. Use an assortment of sizes, shapes and colors.
Seashells
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byIdeas For Girl Themed Buried Treasure Parties
Most of these items are easy to find in bulk at party and craft stores.
Give the girls sheer cloth favor bags to keep their treasure safe and after the party they will have a really pretty assortment of treasure to show off.
Buy at AllPosters.com
LUAU -12 message in a bottle Tropical INVITATIONS - wholesale LUAU party supplies by wholesale-distributor
Amazon Price: $9.86 (as of 07/05/2009)
Sheer Organza Favor Bags - 4"x6" - IVORY - Pack of 20
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Crackled Marbles Sparkle Like Diamonds!
I bought these crackled marbles for my buried treasure party. They are awesome and super sparkly!
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Pooka Shell Necklaces! 9 Puka Styles Hand Strung!
Amazon Price: $1.49 (as of 07/05/2009)
Seashell Necklace 34 inch 12 pc
Amazon Price: $1.59 (as of 07/05/2009)
Engagement Ring Favor Charms 12ct
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
1 Dozen Mood Rings
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Decorative Wedding Rings - Gold (100 pcs per set, Set of 1) - by Weddingstar
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
Pirate Rings
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
Pirate (Skull and Crossbones) Flag - 3 foot by 5 foot Polyester
Amazon Price: $7.11 (as of 07/05/2009)
Girls love pirates too!
The adorable pirate dolly came from Tiddlywinks.
What Kind Of Treasure Would You Bury? Vote For Your Favorites!
You heard my suggestions, now I want to hear yours.
Share your ideas for fun and unique items that would make great buried treasure.
Don't forget to vote for your favorites!!
Use your imagination...
This activity works for any party if you used themed items as your buried treasure! Look at your local party or craft store for items in bulk.
Put your feet up and relax, they'll be busy for a while...
A pretty collection of treasure found by my daughter at her mermaid party.
Great Party Suggestions From My Readers!
- My daughter wanted a Pirate party and my ex-wife made treasure maps by designing them on the computer and printing them, then when dry they were soaked in tea to stain the paper, and finally the edges were burnt to complete the aged look. Very effective. -Submitted by poddys
- I've bought cheap "treasure chests" and used the old tea trick to make treasure maps (something I learned from my mom when I was a kid). Great fun! -Submitted by triatholontraining
- Some great ideas here, but you forgot a fossil dig. Let me know at moleenaturestore.com if you'd like to include a fossil ammonite, seashell, shark teeth mix. -Submitted by naturestore
ideadesigns wrote...
I found you searching for Indiana Jones Bday & think you've got a great lens here!
Posted January 14, 2009
alexkazam wrote...
Great lens- nicely illustrated, too! I think kid's love hunting for treasure and it keeps them entertained for a long time.
I have a lens on ideas for children's parties, too.
Posted January 02, 2009
danieldelmain wrote...
I was always a big fan of buried treasure growing up. We use to draw pirate maps and burn the edges to make them look rustic and then head off in search of adventure. Thanks for the nostalgia.
Posted November 08, 2008
hesika wrote...
Wonderful! Your lens remember me in my time, when I had my birthday parties... Searching for treasures was always the best adventure!
Posted July 27, 2008
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