How do you get the kids away from their screens and out in the open air having fun? The experts from Treasure Trails suggest a fabulous family activity
What’s the aim of Treasure Trails and how do they benefit the family?
Basically, the aim is to have fun. It’s a fun way to explore, a fun family activity, a way to make fun memories.
How do they benefit the family? They’re a great way to get outdoors, exploring together, kids and parents united in the common and universally loved goal of searching for treasure or solving a mystery! The fact that along the way they’ll be exercising their bodies and minds is just a bonus.
How do Treasure Trails work? Do I need a smartphone to use them?
Absolutely no need for a smartphone. We have two formats, Printed Trails and Download Trails. With the Printed ones, we print and post them out to you, with the Download ones, you can print them yourself, or use the App, if you’d prefer. Downloads are great for spontaneous adventures, Printed are great if you’re planning ahead or fancy a digital detox.
The way it works is really simple. The Trails are all self-guided, so you can do it whenever you like, and take as long as you like to do it. As you’re following our directions around some of the best sights of a location, you’ll be solving clues along the way. Each Trail has its own unique, themed backstory. Sometimes you’ll be hunting for long-lost treasure, sometimes solving mysteries, and sometimes even completing spy missions.
How many Treasure Trails are there and how do I find one near to me?
There are over 1,200 across the UK, in villages, towns and cities. Finding the right one for you is really easy – just head to the website and search for the location you’d like to explore to see what’s around. If you’re not sure where you fancy, you can pop in your postcode and see the nearest Trails to you.
Whether you’re visiting somewhere new or want to find hidden treasure on your doorstep, they’re a great way to explore a place.
Can Treasure Trails be completed on foot or will I need transport?
The majority of Trails can be completed on foot. There are some Driving and Cycling Trails which are a pretty cool way of adventuring but yes, most of them are walkable and are roughly 2ish miles of walking. Enough to be a nice bit of exercise but not enough to completely tire out little legs!
What age groups are Treasure Trails suitable for?
Well, we say 6-106, but that is of course slightly tongue in cheek. Honestly, the Trails are suitable for almost all age groups. Each Trail has been designed in such a way that there are a variety of clue types and difficulties so that different skills and abilities can be utilised, as well as clues never becoming repetitive. We have had children as young as 3 enjoying the Trails (with supervision of course!) and on the other end of the scale, people in their 90s and beyond.
Do I need to book a time to follow a Treasure Trail?
Nope. The Trails are entirely self-guided and you can choose to do them whenever you wish, although we wouldn’t recommend trying in the dark!
Are there rewards for completing Treasure Trails?
Presuming by rewards you mean a physical something, the answer is no. The reward (and treasure!) in the Trails is the fun, the exploration, the memories, the game. There is a £100 cash prize draw at the end of each month from all correct submitted answers but this is not what people love Treasure Trails for. It’s the journey rather than the destination, if that makes sense!
How much does each Treasure Trail cost?
Just £9.99. Or £11.99 if you’d like it posted to you. For a whole family activity for a few hours, it’s pretty awesome value for money, even if we do say so ourselves!
What’s the story behind Treasure Trails?
The Treasure Trails story starts in 2004 (it’s our 20th anniversary this year!). It starts in Cornwall with an enthusiastic Dad, two boys aged 9 and 11, and an idea to get outside having fun and away from screens. As you’ve probably guessed, the idea was to write some treasure hunts in the local area as a bit of fun.
It turns out the treasure hunts were a bit too good to be kept to themselves, and so they started being sold.
20 years, 3 million Trail participants, over 5000 5* reviews and a bunch of awards later, and Treasure Trails sits firmly as the UK’s leading provider of family treasure hunts.
Where can I find out more about Treasure Trails?
www.treasuretrails.co.uk
