Remember the Signs is a treasure hunt/memory game mashup.
First, think of a message you want to share with your children or game players. This can be something profound or something silly. For our example, we will use “There are chocolate chip cookies in the pantry” so our treasure hunt involves a prize.
Divide the message into four sections and write each on a small piece of paper: There are / chocolate chip / cookies in / the pantry.
Hide each piece of paper in a spot around the house, such as:
- The bathroom sink
- Under a table
- Under a child’s pillow
- The refrigerator
Use common objects to give clues as to what rooms seekers should look in. Paperclips, spoons, barrettes, and Hot Wheels cars will work for our example.
For example, your list of Signs might read:
- Begin where paperclips litter the ground, then find what can run but never walk on the ground.
- I sit where horseless carriages lie for all to see. I have four legs but cannot run. Look UNDER ME.
- Where clues could adorn a maiden’s hair: The tooth fairy leaves her treasures there.
- Where the bowls of spoons are laid all about, the winter within me longs to get out.
Scatter paperclips in the bathroom, and hide the message in the SINK.
Place toy cars in the den or another room, and hide the message under a TABLE or CHAIR.
Leave barrettes in a child’s room, and hide the message under the PILLOW.
In the kitchen, leave some spoons lying out, and hide the message in the FREEZER.
After you have prepared, give your list of Signs to your contestants and give them three minutes to memorize the clues. Then take the list away. The seekers have to remember the clues well enough to get them to each location and then solve the riddle, reassembling the message in the correct order. (But it’s okay if they muff a few signs. Jill did, too.) Youngsters may need some helpful hints. Enjoy!
Signs Game Template Use our clues or create your own!
