DD’s 14th Birthday and a city treasure hunt.

[PinkponyclubOG]

It’s my youngest DD’s 14th birthday next week and she has asked for something her older sisters have had over the years, a treasure hunt.

As much as I do really treasure one on one time with my girls and I’m sure I can make this work, her sisters were much younger when we last did this last and it was easier to think of treats that were within budget to pad the day out and make special, think build a bear, Pizza Hut, a hair braid, ears pierced etc.

How can I make this work at 14? I thought of holding back some of her presents and using them as clues to go and buy, perfume, beauty products etc, also though about taking her to get her 2nd ear piercings done and she also loves sushi but I just doesn’t seem very imaginative and would love a few more experience type treats within in the day.

If it helps we will be going to Exeter.

Honestly what you said I would have loved at 14! Is there a drink she likes? You could add that - thinking like a bubble tea/starbucks
they don’t all have to be big gifts, I loved stuff like pens, socks, pjs

my best present ever was 5 mins in the body shop but I think my dad thought I would browse the shelves… it was like supermarket sweep

My 14 year old would love this! How do you make it into a treasure hunt - just clues to each place and then she has to get you there? I don’t know Exeter, but an ice cream parlour or bubble tea shop could work? Different shops she likes?

Escape room on route or friends surprising her at sushi bar?!

Yes Just a little riddle given ahead of each treat/experience for DD to work out. It’s always been really well received and some of my favourite days out with the girls but Birthday DD has just never opted to do it until this year.

Normally 1st clue is always hot chocolate/party from Starbucks or local bakery for the train but thinking might do a spread with Buck’s Fizz (less fizzz for DD) and a posh pastry as we are on the train for a hour.

Normally there is about 7/8 clues one of which being lunch somewhere they will enjoy, definitely going for a piercing for another, perfume for a third, but I’m so stuck for the rest. She does her own nails, and is pretty good at them. She isn’t a reader. I wish there was a jelly cat experience in Exeter or a bigger lush that does a workshop, she also really likes skincare but I’m worried it’s just going to turn more into an expensive shopping day and lose the treasure hunt feel!

Sorry I don't know Exeter but some ideas:

Paint a pot
book her a makeover at a make up counter
Ice cream or desert place
escape room
bowling
30 mins in the arcade

Just to say this sounds brilliant!x

Just thought I would bump for any further ideas.

I did something similar for a friend's hen do some years ago and it was very popular. We didn't have treats/gifts built in, although clues led to a bakery famous for particular buns and a few people bought some.

Is there a Lush en route? My daughter recently went to a party there, which she loved (not sure of the cost but they tested lots of things, made their own bath bombs, then were given a goodie bag to take home).

I would have thought a trail around the city solving clues, with the final one being at a sushi place with a voucher to cover lunch for all would be great - no need for loads of extras, particularly as they are old enough to go off on their own (maybe with an adult at a distance).

Sostrene Greene for bedroom ambience? ( Fairy lights?)

Museum/art gallery- I've just taken a bunch of 15 year olds to one today; straight to the dressing up box!

Crazy golf- something like junkyard golf.

Find somewhere with a photo booth for souvenir photos

Mocktails

Honestly, it's such a gorgeous idea.

https://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/pages/trail-search?location=Exeter

I think this sounds amazing. Other ideas maybe

• cool stationary shop
• Ice cream place

Does everything have to lead to a gift/experience? Could some be finding a point rather than a prize, so there was more "hunting" but less gifts. I remember in church youth club 30 years ago, one summer evening being sent around the village with cryptic clues that led to identifying things. The one I remember was ... where was the potter on a pole in the middle of a green? There really was a pub like sign with a potter on a small green at the end of the village! Maybe some clues could lead to interesting landmarks between two places that have treats?

... or like ask for a detail - e.g. the pub called the Singing Duck has a little plaque in the wall saying "built in 1903". So the kids have a clue that says "one year an animal started to sing... which animal and what was the year?"

Lots of birthday freebies here https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/birthday-freebies-discounts/

https://www.staracle.com/general/whyisitfree.php. What about rounding it off with naming a star for her birthday. It's a free activity.

Ok I think I now have enough to bulk out the day, what do you think?

Clue one, snack/brunch picnic on the train with all her favourites snacks, plastic champagne glasses for OJ/Buck’s Fizz.

Clue 2 hair appointment, cut and blow dry thankfully not too painful as salon does a reduced payment for under 16

Clue 3 perfume, which I already have in the bigger size than expected, DD will go along to boots/superdrug, we will price up the smaller bottle and then (once out the shop) I’ll whip out the big bottle.

Clue 4 sushi for lunch, Borthday girls favourite!

Clue 5 £50 to spend in Spack NK courtesy of kind family.

Clue 6 Seccond ear piercing.

Would love another 2 that are not too expensive, maybe a cake or treat from a viral shop, something along those lines

You could take her to Big Bakes Bakery on queen street. It's not necessarily viral, but it is very popular and I can vouch that the cakes are all delicious!