Treasure hunt templates
Organising a treasure hunt is a great way to get children to explore the library
and others’ reading habits. It also works well as part of a pirate-themed fancy
dress day. This resource includes both library and school-based treasure hunt
ideas.
Library-based treasure hunt 1
The clues suggested below should help to get you started with writing your
own. Each clue should lead to the next (for example, hide clue 1 in a
dictionary and clue 3 in your audio or DVD section). If you do use these clues,
make sure that the books and services referred to do actually exist in your
library before using them, and that the clues do describe the book/ service as
it is found in your library. The last clue should lead to a small prize such as a
sticker or bookmark. Make sure you delete the answers before using the
clues!
You might also like to create clues to lead to the following:
 Books by popular authors such as Roald Dahl, Philip Pullman, Jacqueline
Wilson, etc.
 Books about animals (dinosaurs/ pets/ sharks etc.)
 Books about history (Egyptians/ Romans etc.)
 Joke books, recipe books or film and TV tie-ins
Clue 1
If you need some top facts for your
homework or want to check your
spellings then this is the section for you!
Answer: reference
Clue 3
I’m a story without pages!
Answer: audio book or DVD
Clue 5
What’s it like to be a famous footballer?
Read me to find out…
Answer: football biography
Clue 2
I’m not a very nice little boy but my brother
Peter is Perfect! (You can look up the
author’s name on the computer)
Hint: my name begins with an ‘H’
Answer: Horrid Henry
Clue 4
When you’ve chosen your books and
DVDs don’t forget to visit this place to
check them out before you leave!
Answer: issue desk
Clue 6
I’m a type of comic book that uses
pictures and speech bubbles to tell a
story.
Answer: graphic novel
Library-based treasure hunt 2
The answers to the following questions can be found in the library. Use your
observation and listening skills to find out the answers.
1. How much is The Times newspaper?
2. At what time does the library open on Thursday?
3. How many computers in the library are for public use?
4. How many books can you borrow on a library card?
5. Name an author who writes crime books.
6. At what classification number would you find a crime book?
7. How many clocks are in the main library?
8. Write down the name of any Enid Blyton book.
Treasure Hunt (Primary) Collect 10 favourite books before anyone else to win….
Find a …
Friend from your class
Teaching assistant
Reception teacher
School secretary
Lunchtime assistant
School cleaner or
caretaker
Year 3 pupil
Parent or carer
Headteacher
Name
Favourite book
Author
Reason for choosing it
Treasure Hunt (Secondary) Collect 10 favourite books before anyone else to win…
Find a …
Classroom assistant
School librarian
School cleaner/
caretaker
Lunchtime assistant
School secretary
Maths teacher
PE teacher
Science teacher
Headteacher or deputy
Name
Favourite book
Author
Reason for choosing it