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Backyard Treasure Hunt Run

A grown-up hides small treasures around the yard; run to find them and bring them back one at a time.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Hide 10 to 15 small objects in safe spots.

Core: Around the yard. Walk back if you like.

Ages
5 to 10
Time
12 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Small objects to hide
Level · skill
Beginner · Digging

The steps

How it works

  1. Hide 10 to 15 small objects in safe spots.
  2. Run out, find one treasure and bring it back to base.
  3. Keep going until all are found.
  4. Then hide them for someone else.

Coaching point

One at a time, keep moving.

Safety: Bring water, go at a pace where you can still talk, and stop if you feel dizzy, sick or have chest pain.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Team treasure hunt: a grown-up hides the treasure and your team finds it together, one item per trip.

Challenge

Pick a hunt: Less (nearby), Core (around the yard), More (add a riddle). Walk back if you like.

Story

You are pirates searching for the hidden gold.

My best

Beat your own count

Walk back if you like. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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