Would you like to organize a treasure hunt but are wondering: How long does a treasure hunt actually take? Keep reading. In this article, we’ll provide you with more information on how to determine the duration of the treasure hunt and how to influence its length.

1. Young children
   The duration of a treasure hunt largely depends on the age of the children. For the little ones in primary school’s lower grades, a treasure hunt of approximately 1 hour to a maximum of 1.5 hours is often ideal. Their attention span can be short, so a shorter quest keeps the adventure engaging and manageable. If you still want to have a longer route, consider taking a break halfway through. For instance, let the children play in a nearby playground.
2. Middle and upper grades
   For children in the middle or upper grades of primary school, you can slightly extend the duration of the treasure hunt. A time frame of 1.5 to 2 hours gives them enough time to take on the challenges and immerse themselves in the adventure without it becoming too lengthy. You can make the tasks slightly more complex and the route a bit longer.
3. Allow adequate time for start and finish
   Don’t just think about the actual treasure hunt but also allocate enough time for starting and concluding the adventure. Greet the children enthusiastically, explain the rules, and give them a taste of the adventure ahead. At the finish line, ensure a festive ending and potentially present awards.
4. Flexibility: adapt to the group
   Every group of children is unique, so be flexible. If you notice that the children are still enthusiastic and you’re almost at the end of your planned route, consider adding a few bonus tasks. These can be small additional activities like searching for special objects or solving extra puzzles. Shortening the route is often less straightforward. Therefore, our tip is to keep the basic route relatively short and have bonus tasks ready if the children are enjoying themselves.
5. Weather influence
   Of course, weather conditions are important in determining the duration of your treasure hunt. If it’s very hot or very cold, it’s crucial not to make the treasure hunt too long or have games last too extended. That said, children often enjoy a treasure hunt in various weather conditions. So don’t be too afraid to organize a treasure hunt, even in less favorable conditions.
6. Active breaks
   To extend the duration of the treasure hunt, you can occasionally incorporate active breaks. Stop, for example, at strategic points for a small picnic, grab an ice cream at the cafeteria, or engage in a fun active game at a playground along the route. The duration of the break should depend on the children’s energy levels and needs.
7. Determine the length
   How do you know how long the route you’ve planned will take? Simple: walk the planned route yourself beforehand. And bear in mind that children will go through the route 1.5 to 2 times faster because many of them will run. Then estimate how long the tasks/games you’ve devised will take, and you’ll have an idea of the time required. Refer back to the earlier tips on flexibility and realize that it may always go differently than initially estimated.

We hope this helps you with the question: How long does a treasure hunt take? If you don’t want to worry about the storyline and tasks, check out our ready-made treasure hunts, so you only need to set the route!