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”
Leads to Station 1 — The pool heater.
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
The pool heater
Challenge: Pass a balloon down the line using only your chin and chest — no hands allowed. Full rules →
Hand out when they win:
“I'm a house where kids play, but nobody sleeps. What am I?”
Reveal where it leads
The playhouse
Kids arrive here from the piñata clue. Run Balloon Pass on the grass beside the pool heater — keep them clear of the equipment. When they win, hand over the clue below; it leads to the playhouse.
- Station 2 Water Balloon Circle Pass
The playhouse
Challenge: Toss a water balloon around a circle without it bursting — the circle gets wider every round. Full rules →
Hand out when they win:
“I hold a king and a queen, but leave your sword at home — or I'll go POP!”
Reveal where it leads
The bouncy castle
Stage the water-balloon bucket behind the playhouse so it isn't spotted early. The moment the Water Balloon Circle is won, hand over the clue below; it leads to the bouncy castle.
- Station 3 Keep 'Em Up
The bouncy castle
Challenge: Keep 3 balloons in the air for 2 whole minutes as a team. Full rules →
Hand out when they win:
“My belly is full of fire and my breath smells like dough — where dinner gets crispy is where you should go.”
Reveal where it leads
The outdoor pizza oven
Play Keep 'Em Up on the grass NEXT to the bouncy castle, not inside it. Have the timer ready on your phone. On the win, hand over the clue below; it leads to the pizza oven.
- Station 4 Balloon Pop Messages
The outdoor pizza oven
Challenge: Pop the balloons to find the secret words hiding inside, then piece the next clue together. Full rules →
Hand out when they win:
“Find the parents whose newest party guest is also the smallest one here.”
Reveal where it leads
The parents with the newest baby
This station's game IS the clue delivery — the pop-message balloons hide the words of the clue below. Before the party, roll one word onto a slip into each balloon, inflate, and stash them by the pizza oven (cool and unlit, please!). Bring the backup printed clue in case a slip is lost. It leads to the parents with the newest baby.
- Station 5 Balloon Waddle Relay
The parents with the newest baby
Challenge: Waddle a balloon from one basket to another holding it between your knees or ankles. Full rules →
Hand out when they win:
“Two birthday kids today — but only ONE of them sleeps in this house tonight. Find the mom of the birthday boy who came as a guest, just like you!”
Reveal where it leads
Charlie's mom — the co-host
Brief the parents with the newest baby ahead of time. Run the Balloon Waddle near them; when it's won, they hand over the final clue below. It leads to Charlie's mom — the co-host. (Two birthday kids: the birthday BOY is Charlie, and Stella's the one who lives here, so Charlie's a guest — just like the hunters.)
- Station 6 Caterpillar Walk
Charlie's mom — the co-host
Challenge: Walk in a line with balloons squished between each player — hands off, caterpillar on! Full rules →
No clue here — present the treasure
Host notes
The grand finale — no onward clue. Brief Charlie's mom ahead of time: she runs the Caterpillar Walk, then presents the treasure. Keep it hidden near her spot (a party bag under the drinks table works). If the kids stall on the clue that sent them here, nudge them with “which birthday kid lives here?” — the answer falls out from there.
The Treasure
After the final challenge, Charlie's mom presents the treasure — the party loot! Goodie bags, a piñata-candy top-up, or one big shared prize chest all work.
Host notes
Charlie's mom keeps the treasure hidden near her finale spot until the Caterpillar Walk is won. A little ceremony ('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