The treasure

hunt game with a

creative twist!

“the best party game ever!”

paper bag

paper bag

The

game

Includes paper bag template

The paper bag game is an

unplugged, outdoor activity

that requires some running

around, some imagination,

some friends and plenty of

laughing.* *Formerly known as

“playing”!

Wallabies are optional

The Paper Bag Game is a great game to play with any size group of kids and works especially well at birthday parties, pre-school, play-dates, classroom parties or family occasions such as Christmas and Easter. It combines craft, creativity and a treasure hunt into a fun activity that gets kids up and active, as well as encouraging them to use their imagination. It keeps little people occupied for ages and doesn’t cost a fortune to prepare!

The first stage of the game is an outdoor treasure hunt where kids have to find a certain number of pre-hidden craft objects (ie balloons, play dough, etc) as well as things found in the natural environment (ie sticks, leaves etc) and collect them in a paper bag. They then make the things they have collected into their own unique creature, and parents (or adults in charge of the game) award certificates to each child to recognise the amazing attributes of each creation.

Written and developed by Jodi and Thomas Hamlyn-Harris with the help of our daughters – Riley and Abi.

Design, illustration and photographs by Thomas Hamlyn-Harris. All rights reserved

© Skidaddle Games 2013for more games, puzzles and activities visit www.skidaddlegames.com.au

by Skidaddle Games

paper bag

paper bag

The

game

pipe cleaners

suggestedmaterials

play dough

googly eyes

Wooden pegs

paper bag

paddlepop sticks

Wallabies are optional

Make the bagsPhotocopy and cut out the enclosed template and fold and stick sides together to make enough paper bags to give one to each child. (Use brown lunch bags and put your own things on the front if you want!)

Paper bag items:These are suggestions only. Feel free to think up your own! play dough wooden pegs bottle tops cotton balls popsicle sticks ballons small googly eyes pipe cleaners anything else you like!

The other things on the list need to be objects from nature that the kids can collect from the environment wherever you will be having the party (ie park, beach or back yard). Consider the season and the location, here are some ideas: sticks leaves rocks shells bark grass flowers anything else you like!

Hide the items: Sometime at the party (before it’s time to play the Paper Bag Game) hide the craft items outside within a set area of play. Make sure you have enough items for every child playing to avoid disappointment and have a couple of extras on hand for ring-ins (unexpected extra kids) or if you can’t remember where you hid things! (NB: Try hard to remember how many of each item you have hidden and where you hid them!)

Have a small prize ready for the first team back.

Create a space: Have a table big enough for the kids to stand or sit around (or clear an area of floor space) ready for them to go to when they are ready to make their creature.

Awards: Get some coloured card and scissors and make your own awards – it’s easy! Have a pen ready to write on them when you are presenting the awards at the end.

preparation

play DOUGHthere are plenty of recipes for play dough online if you want to make your own.

GLUE OR TAPE HERE

PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE

GLUE OR TAPE HERE

by S

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pa

per

bag

pape

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The

gam

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Find these things as quick as you can &

put them in this bag.

2 leaves

A blob of playdough

2 eyes

A w

ooden peg

A sm

all rock4

pipe cleaners

2 paddlepop sticks

JOIN WITH TAPE OR FOLD ALONG THE BOTTOM

CUT OUT THE SHAPE

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Part 1Hand out one bag to every child (or one bag per team if playing in teams) and tell them to go and find the items listed on the bags. Don’t explain what the items are for! The first child or team back with the correct items and the correct quantity of each item wins a small prize. (Adults and bigger kids can help smaller kids find things on the list.)

When all kids/teams are back with their bags and items, then Part 2 begins.

Part 2Tell them to go for it and use the items in their bag to make their own crazy creature! Let them know that awards will be given out later. Encourage kids to make the silliest creature they can!

Awards: When they are nearly finished, fill in your awards with the child’s name and the award they have achieved ie “This certificate is awarded to Riley for the silliest creature”

Here are some suggestions for amazing attributes:googliest cutest scariest lumpiesttallest friendliest spikiest weirdestleafiest funniest smiliest blobbiest

The point of the awards is that EVERY kid receives an award that is tailored to recognise the specific attributes of the unique creation they have made. Make a big deal of presenting every award to make each child feel special.

Tips * Give them fruit kebabs

to munch on while they are

making their creature and

they can use the stick in

their creation if they

want to!

* Wrap play dough in

cling film before

hiding outside.

* Let them take their

creation home to

show mum

and dad!

How to play