Treasure hunt in the park
In a treasure hunt, participants navigate to each stop and enter a secret code to prove they found the location. The code can for example be hidden in a container nearby. A clue helps the participant find it.
The screenshots below are this example played for real, in Kensington Gardens, London β 5 stops, about 2.1 km of walking end to end. Nothing here is a mock-up: the 5 quests from this page, dropped on 5 real places and walked through.
The wording at each stop is a starting point, not a script. Each screenshot below names the real place it was staged at β borrow the shape of the walk and write your own for where you are.
All 5 stops pinned across Kensington Gardens, London. The participant is 42 metres from the first.
A quest only opens once the participant is physically within about 30 metres of it. From there they enter the secret code they found on the spot β no code, no points.
Stop 1 as the participant sees it, opened on arrival.
A completed stop pays the 300-point base plus whatever is left of the speed bonus.
Everyone's results land on the same scoreboard as they go, so a group spread across Kensington Gardens can still see who is ahead.
The live scoreboard part-way through.
Stop 1 β The Welcome Sign
Start at a recognizable spot so participants can get going quickly. A welcome sign at the park entrance makes a perfect starting point.
Title: The Welcome Sign
Description: Find the park's welcome sign at the main entrance. Count the number of words on the top line β that number is your secret code!
Secret code: 7
Stop 2 β The Waterway
Streams, fountains, and ponds make excellent stops β they're memorable and beautiful to look at.
Quest 2 β Peter Pan statue.
Title: By the Pond
Description: Follow the path to the pond. On the information sign nearby, you'll find the year the pond was built. The last two digits of that year are your code.
Secret code: 87
Stop 3 β The Flower Bed
Lead participants to one of the park's most beautiful spots. Flower beds make perfect stops that give participants something beautiful to enjoy while they search.
Quest 3 β Round Pond.
Title: Among the Flowers
Description: Find the large flower bed near the center of the park. Count the number of rows in the bed β that's your secret code.
Secret code: 4
Stop 4 β The Statue
Statues and monuments make great mid-hunt stops. They're easy to spot and give participants something interesting to study up close.
Quest 4 β Kensington Palace.
Title: The Statue's Secret
Description: Find the bronze statue near the park's main square. How many figures does it depict? Multiply by two β that's your secret code.
Secret code: 4
Stop 5 β The Lookout
Finish at the park's best spot, such as a viewpoint.
Quest 5 β Albert Memorial.
Title: Crown of the Park
Description: Climb up to the lookout point on the hill. On a metal tag on the bench you'll find the last secret code. A reward awaits when you've entered the right code.
Secret code: Rest your feet