Valentine Mystery Hunt
Posted by in Holidays
I always found Valentine’s Day vaguely disappointing as a kid. Sure, there was a party at school and the little classroom cards (which were disappointing in and of themselves!), but it was always somehow lacking. Some years my grandmother would send me a gift in the mail and that always added some fun.
Once I had kids, I tried to think of ways to make Valentine’s Day fun for them. This evolved into a family tradition we call the Valentine’s Day Mystery Hunt. I buy the kids some small gifts for Valentine’s Day and hide them. Then I write rhyming clues on the backs of extra classroom Valentine cards, which lead them from place to place. They they pick up a new clue at each location and end up going all over the house to find them. The last clue leads them to their gifts. The clues are easy to hide since they are small pieces of paper, so they can be hidden in drawers, under cushions, and even inside cups or socks. The kids take turns reading each clue out loud and collaborate together to try to decipher where it is sending them next. I always make the clues rhyme, just to make it more fun (and to make them harder to write too I guess!).
Last year I was very busy with work and thought that since they were then 16 and 11 maybe they didn’t want to do it, so I didn’t put together the rhymes and just gave them their gifts. You should have heard the complaining! I guess it’s something they’re quite attached to! So this Valentine’s Day, my kids will be following the rhyming clues again.
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We do this, too! And same as you, I always think they’re beyond it but they remind me about it: We’re doing a treasure hunt, right??
this sounds like such a fun tradition. i’ll do this when i have my own kids 🙂
My daughter-in-law has a version of this for my grandkids, and they love it.
Sounds like great fun. Maybe since they are older now, THEY could do a hunt for YOU!
I like that last suggestion. It’s a great tradition. Congratulations, and kudos for making it so special.
I used to make goodie bags for my kids each Valentine’s Day, but now that they’re older, it’s no longer cool. Wish I had thought of the scavenger hunt idea back then – great way to make things fun!
What a unique idea for a family tradition. And you know it’s a success if you’re kids still look forward to it.
What a great idea — fun for the whole family.
I’m impressed. I can’t even think about V Day until it happens. It’s been a long week in our house. But they love the candy and stuff they get at school so I’m hoping no one will be disappointed…
Love this novel idea, which takes the ho-hum out of organized fun on a holiday (we do something similar at Easter). Nothing like a little sleuthing to get kids jazzed.
Jennifer, I couldn’t see past my nose when I had a baby in the house, so don’t worry about it! In fact, I remember when my daughter was in kindergarten and my son was a newborn, my MIL came over and helped her write out the school Valentines while I slept. I so wanted to be a part of it, but was just too tired. We didn’t start this until my son about 2 I think.
Exactly. They really like the idea that it is an activity and they like having to think through the clues, unlike Easter where they just go around and look in the usual hiding places!
I love this idea! Thanks for the suggestion.
I have never heard of this but what a lovely idea. I can see that this would become deeply rooted in a family’s tradition.
What a great idea–Easter bunny meets Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for the post, your site is excellent! I’ve had a tradition with my brothers for years where we hunt for easter eggs. This really made me think of that! Happy Easter!