Pirate Treasure Quest

Ages 4–9 · 8 picture or riddle clues · map piece on every card · free printable

A free printable pirate treasure hunt for ages 4–9: every clue card carries a torn piece of Captain Saltybeard's map. Put the map together and X marks the treasure — riddle mode adds a secret symbol code.

Two ways to play: picture clues (ages 3–6) show the next hiding place, and riddle clues (ages 6+) hide the picture and the place name behind a riddle. Your setup sheet always lists where every card goes.

The story — read it out loud

Ahoy, matey! Old Captain Saltybeard hid a treasure chest somewhere in this house before he sailed away. He tore his treasure map into pieces and hid them along a trail of clues. Collect every map piece, put the map back together, and X marks the spot!

Choose the clue style

Picture clues · ages 3–6Each card shows a big picture of the next hiding place — no reading needed.Riddle clues · ages 6+No pictures or place names on the cards — just a riddle to solve.

Make it fit your home

Tap a hiding place to switch it on or off (4–12 places). New places are added at the end; the last place is where the treasure waits.

Include rhymesInclude fun missions

Treasure spot (revealed by the map sheet):

A4 or US Letter · setup checklist, 10 cards, the map sheet, blank draw-your-own clues and a certificate

The clue cards

START · Clue 1
map piece 1
Look by the front door!
Every pirate starts the trip
at the door, to board the ship!
Clue 2 of 8hidden by the front door
map piece 2
Look in the bathtub!
Splash! The sea is deep and blue —
look in the tub (it's dry!) for a clue!
Mission: Walk the plank (a line on the floor) to the next spot!
Clue 3 of 8hidden in the bathtub
map piece 3
Look in a shoe!
Pirate boots go stomp on deck —
look inside and have a check!
Clue 4 of 8hidden in a shoe
map piece 4
Look under a sofa cushion!
Our sofa ship is ready to sail —
check the cushions, follow the trail!
Clue 5 of 8hidden under a sofa cushion
map piece 5
Look next to a plant!
Through the jungle, green and tall —
look by the plant, beside the wall!
Mission: Shout "Ahoy!" three times, then go look!
Clue 6 of 8hidden next to a plant
map piece 6
Look in the laundry basket!
Sails and flags all in a heap —
dig in the basket, take a peep!
Clue 7 of 8hidden in the laundry basket
map piece 7
Look under the table!
Under the deck where pirates dine —
look beneath for the next sign!
Clue 8 of 8hidden under the table
map piece 8
Look in the toy box!
A wooden chest for pirate loot —
look in the toy box, toot-toot-toot!
Mission: Close one eye like a pirate and spin around once!
Unlock · Card 9hidden in the toy box
Put the map together!
Lay every map piece in its numbered box on the map sheet. X marks the spot where the treasure is hidden!
Treasure · Card 10hidden under the bed
Yo-ho-ho, treasure!
You found Captain Saltybeard's treasure! You're a true pirate treasure hunter!

The finale: Put the map together

Each clue card carries a numbered piece of a torn treasure map. The map sheet shows which pieces are missing; once every piece is in its box, X marks the spot.

The treasure waits under the bed — a spot that isn't one of the clue stops, so the pieces really matter.

Where to hide each card

Give card 1 (the START card) and the map sheet to your child.
Hide card 2 by the front door.
Hide card 3 in the bathtub (dry, no water!).
Hide card 4 in a shoe.
Hide card 5 under a sofa cushion.
Hide card 6 next to a plant.
Hide card 7 in the laundry basket.
Hide card 8 under the table.
Hide the unlock card (card 9) in the toy box.
Hide the treasure card (card 10) and your treat or gift under the bed — the map sheet reveals this spot.

How to play

1. Pick a quest and print. Choose a story, swap any hiding places that don't fit your home, then print the cards on A4 or US Letter paper and cut them out.
2. Hide the cards. Follow the parent checklist (it's also the answer key): hide card 2 at the first place, card 3 at the next, and so on. The checklist tells you where the treat or gift goes.
3. Read the story and go!. Read the story out loud and hand over card 1. Picture clues show where the next card is hiding — no reading needed; riddle clues make older kids think it out.

Tips

Hide the cards in reverse order: start with the treasure, finish with card 2.
Keep every clue at kid height and in safe spots — never near the stove, stairs or an open window.
For non-readers, point at the picture and ask: "Where is this in our house?"
Big kids can switch to riddle clues — or read the rhymes out loud and help hide the clues for a younger sibling.
Want a talking clue? Record a message with a free voice card and hide it at the last stop.

More home quests

Keep the memories from your quest

Save your kid's treasure maps and drawings — with their voice — in Jerry's Artbox.