Nature Themed Treasure Hunt Birthday

When looking for a theme for our daughter's first birthday, I was challenged to find something simple, age appropriate and fun for the wide age range of our guests which ranged from one to seven. Putting together my daughter's limited interests, (which at this point include animals, music and putting things in and taking them back out of boxes and bags) along with my desire to give her a handmade gift, I settled on the Nature Themed Treasure Hunt birthday party, and was so happy with the results!

For the Treasure Hunt, I chose the following:

Feathered Birds ( make sure they are safe for one year olds - no choking hazards or sharp pieces)

Peacock and Ostrich feathers

Robins eggs (should be larger to avoid choking- can be wood, plastic or felt)

Seashell Whistles

Treasure boxes to collect all the goodies

I found all of this at Oriental Trading Company. I was happy with everything except the birds that I found there because their eyes came off easily and they came with floral wire that we had to cut off. I should have chosen felt or fabric birds instead.)  Make sure to get enough that everyone can have a few feathers, eggs and even the birds if you wish.


Before the party:

Hide the objects in safe, relatively easy places to find (depending on the age of the seekers). You can make the activity last longer if you spread out the hiding areas though out the yard!   Placing the birds and feathers  in among plants and shrubs is a fun way to disguise them, while the eggs and shell whistles can be hidden under plants or among landscaping.

Once you have your hiding areas, make "clues"  for each object, to assist the children in finding them. For example, the clue we made a clue for the eggs was:

I am fragile and round and can be found in a nest. I am an _____.
You will find me in the North where flowers look like fairy dresses.  (the eggs were hidden under a fuchsia plant.)

Activity:

1.) Decorate the treasure boxes with glitter glue, paint, markers, stickers and any other embellishments you have.

2.) Once the boxes are ready, have the children gather  for the treasure hunt. Give the clues to either an adult or if there is an older child in attendance who can read, it is so fun to have them lead the treasure hunt.

The children will have a blast hunting around the yard and making their own treasure boxes of things found in nature (though perhaps in a sturdier version! ) and the smaller ones will enjoy taking all their treasures out of the box and putting them back in over and over again!

Top off a fun party with cake, ice cream and presents!