The Hunt
The complete run-of-show. Answers are hidden so kids peeking over your shoulder stay in the dark — tap Reveal answer when you need it. Use the print button to make cut-out clue cards.
The Piñata Kickoff
The hunt begins with the piñata! Along with the candy, it's stuffed with word slips. When it bursts, kids gather every slip and unscramble the words to reveal the very first clue.
Reveal the assembled clue
“FIND THE THING THAT KEEPS THE POOL WARM”
Prep before the party
- Write each clue word on its own bright paper slip (big letters, one word per slip).
- Fold the slips and mix them into the piñata with the candy before sealing it.
- Number the slips (1–8) in small print if you want to make unscrambling easier for younger kids.
- Keep a spare printed set of the words in your pocket in case slips get trampled in the candy rush.
- Station 1 Balloon Pass
“Find the thing that keeps the pool warm.”
Reveal answer
The pool heater
This clue comes out of the piñata as word slips (see piñata prep). Tape the Station 1 challenge card near the pool heater. Keep kids clear of the equipment — gather them on the grass beside it.
Challenge: Pass a balloon down the line using only your chin and chest — no hands allowed. Full rules →
- Station 2 Water Balloon Circle Pass
“I'm a house where kids play, but nobody sleeps. What am I?”
Reveal answer
The playhouse
Stage the water-balloon bucket behind the playhouse so it isn't spotted early. Hand this clue over the moment Station 1's game is won.
Challenge: Toss a water balloon around a circle without it bursting — the circle gets wider every round. Full rules →
- Station 3 Keep 'Em Up
“I hold a king and a queen, but leave your sword at home — or I'll go POP!”
Reveal answer
The bouncy castle
Play Keep 'Em Up on the grass NEXT to the bouncy castle, not inside it. Have the timer ready on your phone.
Challenge: Keep 3 balloons in the air for 2 whole minutes as a team. Full rules →
- Station 4 Balloon Pop Messages
“My belly is full of fire and my breath smells like dough — where dinner gets crispy is where you should go.”
Reveal answer
The outdoor pizza oven
The pop-message balloons hide the Station 5 clue words inside. Stash them by the pizza oven (cool and unlit, please!). Bring the backup printed clue.
Challenge: Pop the balloons to find the secret words hiding inside, then piece the next clue together. Full rules →
- Station 5 Balloon Waddle Relay
“Find the parents whose newest party guest is also the smallest one here.”
Reveal answer
The parents with the newest baby
This is the clue assembled from the popped balloons at Station 4. Brief these parents ahead of time — after the Balloon Waddle they hand over the final clue.
Challenge: Waddle a balloon from one basket to another holding it between your knees or ankles. Full rules →
- Station 6 Caterpillar Walk
“Trouvez l'hôtesse la plus formidable !”
Reveal answer
The birthday kid's mom — the party host. (French for “Find the hostess with the mostest!” — and she's the only one who can read it.)
The twist: this clue card is in French ONLY. To solve it the kids have to find someone who speaks French — which is the hostess herself, so the hunt for the translator IS the answer. Print it with no English anywhere on the card. Expect them to run around asking grown-ups; that's the fun. When they reach her, she reads it aloud, runs the Caterpillar Walk, then presents the treasure with a big “Félicitations!”
Challenge: Walk in a line with balloons squished between each player — hands off, caterpillar on! Full rules →
The Treasure
After the final challenge, the hostess presents the treasure — the party loot! Goodie bags, a piñata-candy top-up, or one big shared prize chest all work.
Host notes
The hostess keeps the treasure hidden near her finale spot until the Caterpillar Walk is won. A little ceremony ('Félicitations — you have completed the six trials!') makes the handoff feel epic.
Supplies checklist
- Piñata + candy + 8 clue word slips
- 1 bag of balloons (about 30 — games, spares, and pop-messages)
- 10+ water balloons, filled and in a bucket
- 6–8 clue word slips for the Balloon Pop Messages station
- 2 baskets or buckets for the Balloon Waddle
- Printed clue cards (print from the Hunt page) + tape
- Phone timer for Keep 'Em Up
- The treasure (goodie bags or prize chest)
- Towels — the water balloon circle shows no mercy