Halloween isn’t just for ghosts — it’s prime pirate season! If your little crew loves The Ten Pirate Clues to Treasure Bay, here’s a fast, funny, and slightly spooky activity that turns your home or garden into an adventure map. No sugar overload required — just laughter, clues, and a bit of pirate mischief.
Step 1: Set the Scene
You’ll need 6–8 mini pumpkins (or wrapped treats if you prefer sweet treasure). Hide them in sneaky places: under the couch, behind a curtain, or next to the dog bowl. The harder the spots, the louder the pirate cheers when found.
Pro tip: Leave a silly item at one location — like a banana labeled “Ye Useless Treasure” — for comic effect.
Step 2: Draw the Treasure Map
Grab some paper, rip the edges, and dab it with wet tea bags for an aged look. Then sketch your “Pumpkin Island” — the living room, kitchen, hallway, and any other spots you plan to hide treasure. Use doodles, arrows, and rhymes to give the little pirates clues:
“Past the glowing lantern’s glare,
A pumpkin waits — but mind the chair!”
Add a big X for the grand finale — maybe a chest, a basket, or a spooky box filled with “gold coins” (a.k.a. foil-wrapped chocolates).
Step 3: Hand Out the Pirate Names
Every true pirate needs a name. Cut paper strips with titles like Captain Crumbbeard, Sneaky Sue, or Tiny Tooth the Terrible. Let each child draw one — they must stay in character for the whole hunt. Extra points for the best pirate accent.
Step 4: Begin the Hunt!
Turn on some ocean sounds or playful pirate music. Give the first clue and let the chaos unfold. Kids will crawl, shout, and laugh their way through every clue — and you’ll secretly enjoy the exercise they’re getting before the candy hits.
Step 5: Celebrate the Loot
When all pumpkins are found, gather your tiny crew for a final “Pirate Toast” — a cup of orange juice or hot cocoa raised high. You can even end the night with a read-aloud of The Ten Pirate Clues to Treasure Bay for a perfect story wind-down.
Why It Works
Kids love stories they can live inside. This activity takes them from reading about treasure maps to following their own — sparking imagination, movement, and teamwork. It’s Halloween fun that feels like playtime, not chaos.
🏴☠️ Set sail for more playful adventures and story-inspired games at emilysplayland.com.
