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QR Code Treasure Hunts to Enjoy with Kids - A Guide to Games You Can Play at Home

Last updated: 4 min read

Basic Rules of a QR Code Treasure Hunt

A QR code treasure hunt is a game in which you hide QR codes around the house or yard, and children follow the next clue by scanning them with a smartphone or tablet. When they scan the final QR code, the hiding place of the treasure (sweets or a present) is shown.

All you need is a smartphone that can generate QR codes (a free app is enough), a printer (to print the QR codes), and scissors and tape (to stick the QR codes in their hiding places). No special equipment is needed at all, and 30 minutes is plenty of preparation time.

The basic flow is: (1) decide where to hide the treasure, (2) work backward and make 5 to 8 clue QR codes, (3) set a "hint for the next QR code" in each QR code, (4) hide the QR codes around the house, and (5) hand the starting QR code to the children and begin the game. It is simple, but children get surprisingly absorbed in it.

Difficulty Settings by Age

Ages 3 to 5 (preschoolers): Keep the number of QR codes to 3 or 4, and show the hints as photos. Instead of text such as "Next, it's near the fridge!", link to a page that shows a photo of the fridge. A recommended division of roles is for the parent to help with scanning while the child looks at the photo and searches for the spot.

Ages 6 to 9 (early elementary school): Increase the number of QR codes to 5 or 6, and make the hints simple riddles. Add the fun of thinking with riddles such as "Where is the white box with lots of cold things inside?" (answer: the fridge). Doing the scanning themselves is also part of the fun.

Ages 10 and up: Increase the number of QR codes to 8 to 10, and combine them with ciphers and math problems. If you add puzzle elements that combine multiple steps, such as "Add up all the numbers written in this QR code, and you will get the number of the room where the next QR code is hidden," adults can enjoy it together too.

Using It at Birthday Parties

A QR code treasure hunt is ideal as the main event of a child's birthday party. The experience of all the guests forming teams and working together to find the QR codes can become a party highlight on par with the cake and presents.

One way to arrange it for a party is to make it a team competition. Split into 2 or 3 teams, and have each team follow a different route of QR codes. A setup in which all the teams finally arrive at the same place, where the birthday cake is waiting, tends to get everyone excited.

You can also use QR codes in the invitations. Printing a QR code on a paper invitation that leads to a page showing the party's date and time / location / theme when scanned builds up the children's excitement in advance. If you add a message such as "Scan this QR code to find out the party's secret theme!", their anticipation will grow until the day itself.

An Outdoor Version in the Park or Around Town

On a nice day, you can also enjoy an outdoor QR code treasure hunt set in a park or your neighborhood. Stick the QR codes at a child's eye level, such as on the back of a bench, on a playground equipment post, or on a tree trunk.

The point to watch when playing outdoors is the durability of the QR codes. If they are just printed on paper, they can be blown away by the wind or get wet in the rain. Laminating them or covering them with clear tape gives you peace of mind. Also, if you stick QR codes in public places, it is good manners to be sure to collect them after the game ends.

An advanced version combined with GPS is also possible. If you include directions and distances in the QR code hints, such as "Walk 50 steps north and look for a big tree," the children can enjoy a little sense of adventure. For children, the experience of searching for treasure with a smartphone is a special time, as if they had become the hero of a movie.

The Educational Benefits of a QR Code Treasure Hunt

A QR code treasure hunt naturally develops multiple skills through play.

  • Logical thinking: The process of deciphering hints and deducing the next location trains logical thinking
  • Reading comprehension: Because the hint text must be read accurately, it serves as practical training in reading comprehension
  • Cooperation: When working as a team, cooperation is nurtured through dividing roles and coordinating opinions
  • Digital literacy: Through scanning QR codes, children can experience the basic use of digital tools
  • Spatial awareness: The task of identifying locations based on hints encourages the development of spatial awareness