Mirror Message Clue

One really neat riddle is one that can only be read by holding it up to a mirror. These riddles are a lot of fun and they are actually quite easy to make. There are two ways that you can go about creating the clues. One on the computer and one by hand.

If you want to create the clue on the computer and have a printer available here is an easy way to create your mirror message:

  • First, go into Word or your favorite word processor and type out you message
  • Highlight the text and use the “copy” function on your computer
  • Then open the program Paint. This can be found by clicking the start button and clicking on the accessories folder
  • Then paste you message into paint
  • Choose the drop-down menu for image and choose Flip/Rotate
  • Then click “Flip Horizontal” and save the image
  • Print the image and your message is done!

If that seemed too hard or you want to write the clue by hand there is another way. However, this way results in a messier looking message:

  • Get some paper, a mirror and a hard surface to write on (a book works well)
  • Now hold the paper up on the hard surface so you can see the page in the mirror
  • Looking in the mirror write the message out… this will feel strange! It might take a few tries

So there you have it, two ways to make an exciting new clue for your scavenger hunt. Now you’ll need to hide it close to a mirror. In the previous clue (whether sent via text message or otherwise) lead the hunter to the message and give a clue to the fact that it will need to be held up to the mirror.

Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Continuing the theme of Father’s Day, here are some more ideas for scavenger hunts for dad on his special day.  With Textclues set up your clues ahead of time, make sure he’s got his cell phone and sit back and watch the fun.

 

Give him clues that lead him all over the house and plant a few outside too. Each clue should lead him to the answer, and at the end of the hunt you could have a gift bag with his cards & gifts inside.   Here are some ideas using clues and riddles.  With some of the clues the answers are written on paper and dad would text back the answer, then he would receive a text with a riddle to solve, after solving it then the new clue would be sent by text to him and so on until the scavenger hunt is done.  Just explain to him he has to reply to the text with the answer each time to get the next clue.

Here’s a sample

Clue:  For your first clue go check the garage and look under the car, text the word that you see written on paper there

Answer:  (written on a note under the car):  Shoe

 

Clue:  Solve this riddle for the next clue:  A farmer had seventeen sheep, all but nine died, how many did he have left?

Answer:  nine, 9

 

Clue:  Well done!  Now go find the white shoe which has the next clue and reply with it too.  (Hint) check the laundry room

Answer (written on paper hidden in shoe):  Deck

 

Clue:  Another riddle for you:  Take off my skin – I won’t cry, but you will, what am I?

Answer:  An onion

 

Clue:   Outside on the deck under the BBQ I want you to check, whatever you find text me back

Answer:  cup

 

Clue:  Can you answer this riddle:  What can you catch but not throw?

Answer:  A cold

 

Clue:   Check the cupboard where the cup belongs and look up, text me the word you find there

Answer: ” Teapot”  (write this word on a piece of paper you can stick to above the shelf holding the cups in the cupboard)

 

Clue:  You’re good at riddles so I’ll test you on this one:  What travels around the world yet stays in one corner?

Answer:  A Stamp

 

 

Clue:  The teapot contains a nice clue which tells you the next thing to do, look for it & once you find it text the answer which is inside.

Answer:  Basement

 

Clue:  The basement has your next clue, check beside the light and we’ll see if you get it right, text the word you see there

Answer:  Mirror

 

Clue:  Beside one of the mirrors in our house is the last clue you’ll need to do, when you see what is says text your answer and receive your last riddle to answer for a prize.

Answer:  Prize

 

Clue:  Here is your last riddle to solve:  What has to be broken before it’s consumed?

Answer:  An egg

 

When he answer this last riddle, a text is sent leading him to his card and gift.

Final Text:  Congratulations dad!  Check inside the trunk of the car for your gift!!

Try a free demo now.

How to Make a Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Father’s Day is coming up and this year you should give him a gift that shows how much you care. A gift he will be telling all his friends about and one that he won’t ever forget. Scavenger hunts make great creative and memorable gifts and are perfect for father’s day. Using TextClues you can send the clues and receive the answers automatically over text messages… now that’s something he will never forget!

The scavenger hunt you create for your dad should have prizes based of his hobbies and and interests.  The clues can be based on his habits around the house. If your dad likes to fix things around the house get him a few new tools. If he likes playing sports get him some new or upgraded equipment. The clues can lead him to the spots where he likes to spend time around the house.

Here’s a simple example hunt that you can modify for your own Dad:

Clue: Happy Father’s Day Dad! What tool is sitting in the seat where you like to eat? Reply with the answer

Answer: Hammer

Clue: Alright now what’s hiding on the grate where you cook your world famous steak?

Answer: Screw Driver, screwdriver

Clue: Last but not least. What’s lying down in the spot where you sit and read?

Answer: Drill, Power Drill

Winning Message: Congratulations you found all your gifts. Happy Father’s Day Dad, thanks for always being there for me.

You can customize the clues and prizes to fit you own Dad and give him a gift he won’t forget. If you don’t want to give him so many small gifts and want to focus on one big gift then you can make a slight adjustment. In the places the clues lead to leave a question written on a note rather than a prize. The answer to the question will be the answer for the scavenger hunt. For example you can ask him what’s his favorite band, movie, book, actor or vacation spot.

Whatever you do have fun! And don’t forget you can try our TextClues demo here.

An Amazing Race using Text Messages

Here’s an idea for a fun activity for a group of friends: set up an Amazing Race using TextClues. First, split everyone into teams. The leader of each team needs a cell phone to answer the text message challenges. You’ll want to have clues that lead the teams on an amazing race all over the city.

Before you start the race, you’ll want all the teams to compete in a contest to determine who gets a head start. This can be a trivia game or each team can dress up in matching costumes Parcours Obstacle Gonflable and you judge which team looks the best. Based on the scores, you can stagger the teams so that one leaves every 5 minutes, so they don’t all race off at the same time. You can schedule all the text hunts to start at the same time but just don’t give them the envelope with the first clue until they leave.

It’s up to you whether you want all the teams to have clues in the same order, but we do have a “shuffle” button if you want to randomize the clues for each team.You’ll want to come up with a scoring system. Each team has three tries for each clue, so you can give them 3 points if they get it right on the first try, 2 points on the second try, or 1 point on the third try. Finally, there should be a bonus for the time taken for each team to finish the amazing race and get back to the starting point. You could make this a percentage bonus to prevent teams from just guessing everything wrong but finishing first.

Here are some ideas for clues you could use:

Clue: Welcome to the 2012 Amazing Race. Check for the first clue in your envelope. (Inside the envelope you have the clue: Head west 10 blocks. What year was the church built?)

Answer: 1967

Clue: Head north to the park. Mike will be waiting for a game of bean bag toss. He’ll tell you the answer when you finish the game.

Answer: Mike is awesome

Clue: Good job. Now head to the fair trade coffee house where we always meet up with Liz. On the wall they have a picture of a plantation from what country?

Answer: Brazil

Clue: Head to the high school track and meet Jen. You guys will have to run some laps :) She’ll tell you the answer when you finish your sprints.

Answer: Jen rocks

Clue: How many tennis courts are on the other side of the school?

Answer: three, 3

Clue: Head south 6 blocks until you reach a park. What’s it called?

Answer: Jacob’s Park

Clue: Head to the baseball stadium. How many years has it been open?

Answer: 34

Clue: Use the pay phone to call Mike. Everyone on the team has to talk to him to make sure you’re all still there.

Answer: Subway

Clue: Yes hop on the subway and take it north 3 stops. Head into the shopping mall. What’s the name of the hair dresser up on the third floor.

Answer: Antonio’s

Winning Message: Alright you’re done! Now run back to the start of the race before the others make it back!

 

Try our demo to see how to create a text message amazing race.

List of Scavenger Hunt Clues (Part IV)

This weeks clue list gives you riddles for different rooms in the house. Send your hunter to any room and let them search high and low for the hidden prize/clue.

The clues should be formatted in the following way:

“I have hidden your next prize [Insert Riddle] Go find it!”

So for Example:

“I have hidden your next prize in the spot where I bake a lot. Go find it!”

 

  Kitchen   in the place where you make treats you can eat
  in the spot where you cook the meat you like to eat
  in the spot where I bake a lot
  in the place where you sit down and say grace
  TV Room   in the room where you sit with me and watch tv
  in the place where the
  in the place where the tv glows and plays shows
  in the space where the tv sits in place
  Bedroom   in the room where you have read in bed
  in the room where you count sheep to sleep
  in the place where you don’t make a peep because you’re asleep
  Back Yard   in the spot where you sit for fresh air
  in the place where you can cook on the barbeque
  in the place where you can run around and have fun out in the sun
  Pantry   in the place that holds all the different packs of snacks
  in the place where there are stacks of tasty snacks
  in the place where you find food in cans that feel cold to your hands
  Office   in the place where the computer sits with all of its bits
  in the room that holds the only type of mouse allowed in the house
  in the spot where you get work done before you can go have fun
 Dining Room   in the spot where you eat all that tasty meat
  in the place with the seat that you use when you eat
  in the place where you eat sweet tasty treats
Laundry Room   in the room that holds the broom
  in the room you go to clean clothes and make them smell like a rose
  in the place clothes get done so you look clean when you see someone
  Bathroom   in the space where you comb your hair
  in the place where you shower for over an hour
  in the place where you wash your face

Don’t forget to see how you can improve your scavenger hunt and save time by using the TextClues service.

Happy Hunting!

 

 

Summer Camp Text Scavenger Hunt

Camp CreekA scavenger hunt is a great way to get kids aquainted to a new camp. They can be used for camp orientation or to get the kids to explore areas of the camp they have never been before. You can ask them questions about landmarks and get them to learn what the camp has to offer.

You can use TextClues to send the clues by text message, but just make sure you have cell phone reception at the camp!

Here’s an example hunt that needs a compass:

Clue: Head north for 10 minutes until you reach water. What’s the name of this creek? Reply with the answer.

Answer: Five mile creek

Clue: How many swinging ropes are attached to the tree nearby?

Answer: 3, three

Clue: Good. Now head west upstream. How many kayaks are on the bank?

Answer: 11, eleven

Clue: Good. Walk a little further and cross over the bridge to the other side. What’s carved on the top of the totem pole?

Answer: Eagle

Clue: Good. Follow the path and when you reach the fork in the road look down and tell me what’s growing below the sign.

Answer: MushroomsMushrooms

Clue: Yes. Alright, go right at the fork and keep walking until you reach a clearing in the forest.  What’s in the middle of the clearing?

Answer: fire pit, pit

Clue: We’re going to use that for the bonfire tonight. What kind of tree has white peeling bark?

Answer: Birch, Birch tree

Clue: Good. Find one and peel a bit of the dried bark off. We’ll use that for fire kindling later. Head to the flag pole. What year is engraved on the plaque?

Answer: 1973

Winning Message:  That’s when the camp was founded. Now follow the trail east. When you reach the lodge go inside for lunch!

List of Scavenger Hunt Clues (Part III)

Here is another list of rhyming scavenger hunt clues you can use as riddles in your next scavenger hunt. They are great for kids and we hope they save you some time.

Remember you can save even more time by using the TextClues service.

 

  Cutlery Drawer   When you open this drawer you’ll find knives, spoons and more
  You’ll open this drawer before you eat
 In this tray you’ll find things that are shiny and grey that you use every day
  Guitar   I’m made of wood and make music that sounds good
 You play me with your hands and when you’re good you’ll have lots of fans
  I can play a song while everyone sings along
  Washer   Everyone knows I clean all their clothes
  I’m the machine that cleans your jeans
  You drop you clothes in and wait for the cleaning to begin
  Drier    Everyone knows I dry all their clothes
  You cannot deny I’m the reason your clothes are dry
  I transform your clothes from wet to warm
  Fireplace   I hold the fire that you can sit and admire
  In me you can burn wood and the warmth makes you feel good
  Below the chimney I sit and and make the smoke that fills it
  Dinner Plates   We hold all the meat and other things you like to eat
  We are clean and round ready to hold your food in a mound
  We are round and clean and hold your green beans
  Vacuum   I start with a spurt and suck up all the dirt
  I suck in air. Dirt, dust and hair beware!
  I make a loud sound and pick dirt up by the pound
  Bathroom Scale   When you step on me I give you a weight you can see
  I give you your weight and look like a square plate
  I can measure how much you weigh each and every day
  Mop   I’m wet and clean up the floor so there is less dirt then before
  I’m wet and leave the floor clean and also with a nice sheen
  I’m the best way to clean the floor you really can’t ask for more
  Broom   I sweep up dust and crums from crust
  I sweep the kitchen floor so there is less crums then before
  I sweep dust on the ground into one big mound

Church Youth Group Activities: Bible Text Message Quiz

Bible

A great interactive way to get your church youth group reading the bible and learning about the faith is a TextClues bible quiz. You’ll need everyone to have a cell phone so they can send/receive text messages. Then create a scavenger hunt with clues that tell them where to read in the bible to answer.

The great thing about this is everyone proceeds at their own pace. Also it feels less like a test and more like a fun learning experience.

Here’s an example of a bible quiz with an Easter theme:

Clue: What did Jesus use in the Last Supper as a symbol of his body? (Matthew 26:26)
Answer: bread
Clue: What was Judas given to betray Jesus? (Matthew 26:14-15)
Answer: coins, silver
Clue: What color was the robe they placed on Jesus? (Mark 15:17)
Answer: purple
Clue: What was Jesus’ crown made of? (Matthew 27:29)
Answer: thorns
Clue: What was Jesus hung on? (John 19:17-18)
Answer: crossJesus on the cross
Clue: What did they use to put Jesus on the cross? (John 20:25)
Answer: nails
Clue: What was rolled away from the tomb on Easter morning? (Matthew 27:59-60)
Answer: stone, rock
Clue: What did they find in the tomb on the 3rd day after Jesus died? (Luke 24:3)
Answer: nothing, empty
Clue: Who denied Jesus 3 times? (Matthew 26:75)
Answer: Peter

Click here to try the free demo on your cell phone.

List of Scavenger Hunt Clues (Part II)

We’ve got more rhyming clues! Feel free to use these riddles in your next scavenger hunt, we hope your kids enjoy them!

Don’t forget to check out the textclues service if you are looking to save time and make the hunt one the kids will never forget.

 

Refrigerator   I keep food cool before you bring it to school
  I keep food cold so it doesn’t grow mold
  Lights turn on when you open me up, then you pour a drink in your cup
Bed   I am where you go at night when you’re ready to turn out the light
  I am where you lay just before dreams take you away
  When you get up from sleep you always leave my covers in a heap
Tree   I grow up big and tall and lose my clothes in the fall
  I shoot up towards the sky and give you shade when you stand by
  I stand up on my roots and can grow juicy fruits
Plants   I may not move but I’m still alive, I need soil and water to survive
  The air is what I like to clean and I am green
  I grow very slow and could not survive in the snow
Boots   When it snows I help to warm up your toes
  I keep your feet dry when rain falls from the sky
  You wear me when you feel like going for a hike
Coats   I keep your body warm even in a storm
  I keep you dry when rain falls from the ski
  I’m very puffy and fluffy but I keep you warm
baseball   You throw me  by my laces before someone runs the bases
  You catch me in a glove while you play the sport you love
  It’s always fun when you hit me a make a home run
Pens and Pencils   You hold me tight when you are ready to write
  You use me as a tool to write in school
  I’m full of ink and can record what you think
Paper   I’m usually white and on me you write
  You can write on me with lead whatever is in your head
  Whever you think you can record on my with ink
Video Game Console   You are always playing me and I’m sure you would agree
  My games are fun and you’ve played each one by one
  You know the names of each one of my games

List of Scavenger Hunt Clues (Part I)

Here are a list of rhyming riddles that act as perfect clues for a children’s scavenger hunt. Just choose a number of objects in your house and grab the clue that you like best. The kids will be off in no time, running around the house looking for the items and trying to get to the end of the hunt.

Try out our text message scavenger hunt service here to add another element of fun to the scavenger hunt and also reduce setup and cleanup time.

 

 Piano   I make music with my keys and make you want to shake your knees
  When I play I make nice sound look around and a prize might be found
  I make beautiful sound when you play and you get better day by day
 Drums   When you hit me to the beat people start to move their feet
  You play me with sticks and sometimes with kicks
  I only sound right when my top is pulled tight
 Table   I held your dinner plate as you sat and ate
  You have to set me up with all the plates and cups
  This is where you take a seat when you’ve come to eat
 Desk   I am where you like to write, under a bright desk light
  I am where your computer lies, plugged in so that it never dies
  This is where work is done before I can go and have any fun
 Computer   I have a bright screen that should always be kept clean
  This is the one spot in the house where my mom likes to have a mouse
  I like to read CDs but sometimes I freeze
 Couch   I’m soft in every bit and a spot where you like to sit
  I am covered in comfortable cushions
  While you watch TV you like to sit on me
 Shoes   I help you out when you walk so you don’t hurt yourself on a rock
  Often when you say goodbye I am what you have to tie
  I protect your feet when you run so they don’t hurt when you’re done
 TV   I play all those movies and shows
  You are always keen to look at my bright screen
  You like to watch me at every chance and I put you into a kind of trance
 Books   If you open my pages you will stare at me for ages
  When you open my cover a fun new story is what you discover
  Don’t judge me by my cover if you are a story lover
 Toaster   I use heat to make a tasty treat
  I make bread hop, flop and pop out of my top
  I make spongy bread nice and crunchy