What you need for a treasure hunt

A treasure hunt needs more than clues and a prize. You will need one complete clue and answer set per team, secure containers for the treasure, and equipment at the start and finish. Plan the quantities around your number of teams, not just your total guest count. Waterproof printed materials before the event, and prepare spare copies because clues can be lost, damaged or taken to the wrong checkpoint.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Folding cratesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Serving bowlsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Portable sound system
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4

Treasure materials

Wooden treasure chestsqty 12
Compassesqty 15
Magnifying glassesqty 15
Team backpacksqty 15
Keys for treasure chestsqty 15
Gold coinsqty 150
Prizesqty 12

Paper goods

Route mapsqty 80
Answer formsqty 80
Route cluesqty 30
Team cardsqty 20
Clipboardsqty 20
Notepadsqty 20
Ballpoint pensqty 40
Markersqty 20
Tapeqty 8
Waterproof coversqty 40

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Start sign
Finish sign
Directional signsqty 20
Team bibsqty 20

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4
Flashlightsqty 8

Safety

First aid kit
Safety vestsqty 8
Traffic conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Bottle coolersqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6
Can openersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Hand broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Spongesqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Cheese crackers - 6 packs
- Salted pretzels - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Carrots - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Currant buns - 60 pieces
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Mini chocolate bars - 150 pieces
- Candy coins - 200 pieces
- Gummy bears - 5 kilo
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Wet wipes - 8 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Skewers - 200 pieces
- Paper straws - 150 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Trash boxes - 20 pieces

Tips

Prepare one team backpack, map, answer form and clue pack for every team, plus at least 10% spare copies. For 8 teams, that means 9 complete packs.
Give each treasure chest its own key and fill it before participants arrive. Add enough coins and prizes for every team, then keep one spare prize set aside.
Use reusable cups, plates and cutlery for the refreshment stop, allowing 2 cups per person if drinks are served over several hours. Bring coolers for anything that must stay cold.
Print route maps, clues and answer forms on waterproof paper, or place each set in a sealed plastic sleeve at least one day beforehand. Keep a dry spare set at the start.
Check power needs before loading the equipment: kettles, coffee machines, sound equipment and phone charging may require multiple extension cords, power strips and charged power banks.

Frequently asked questions

How many treasure hunt clues do I need?: Prepare one full clue pack for each team, including every route clue and the answer form. Add at least 10% spare packs, so 8 teams require 9 complete sets.
What should I put in a treasure hunt chest?: Use one chest per planned treasure location and add a key for each chest. Fill each with enough golden coins or prizes for the whole team, plus one spare prize set for replacements.
How many maps and answer sheets should I print?: Print one route map and one answer form per participant if people work individually, or one of each per team if they work together. Add 10% extra and keep the spare copies at the start point.
When should I waterproof treasure hunt clues?: Waterproof or sleeve the clues at least one day before the hunt, after checking the route and print quality. Pack a dry replacement set on the morning of the event in case pages are damaged.

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