Treasure Map Trails are beautiful treasure maps for kids of towns and cities such as Aylesbury, Hemel Hemstead, Oxford and St Albans. The founder is a local dad who wanted a way of keeping the kids entertained. That’s why the first map was of Leighton Buzzard, his home town! There are maps of towns and villages across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and beyond. In fact there are now over 35 different maps for you to try! You can save 10% on all oft their maps using the code FREETIMEWITHTHEKIDS and this affiliate link
Dan started designing the maps during the first lockdown as a way to keep his own kids entertained. The initial feedback was so positive he kept going with more and more locations. “We’ve had some amazing feedback from parents who love the idea of an old-fashioned activity that gets families outdoors and exploring locally. One mum described it as team-building for families.”
We were very kindly gifted a copies of several of different Treasure Map Trails but they did not see the review prior to publication and had no input it the contents.
The treasure maps
The treasure maps are of the towns and cities that we all know and love, but not as we know it! The street names are correct, as are some of the key landmarks, but the rest of the map is beautifully illustrated. There are little squares on the map – these are where you will find the treasures. At the bottom of the map there are images of the things that you are looking for. Simply try to spot the treasures and mark their location on the map. Simple.
Each map has a different theme to it. The Tring map (above) has a zoo theme, which makes sense given that it’s home to Tring Natural History Museum. All of the treasure maps have themes that kids will love; one has a fairground theme, one an alien invasion, one an Egyptian theme.
Kids love treasure maps – but ones that reflect real streets are just amazing. Map reading is not a skill that comes naturally to everyone, so anything that encourages that surely have to be a good thing!? The way the maps have been designed, they don’t look like the streets around them so the kids have to translate what they see on the page to what’s all around them – another good skill to learn.
Don’t forget to look on the back!
If you really get stuck there are clues on the back of the map. The clues tell you what the treasures are rather than what your looking for. That did feel a bit like it was the wrong way round somehow. When you’re at a location, and you can’t see what you’re looking for, the clue is a list of things you can find it kind of gives the game away for the other clues. Not sure if there’s a better way to do it, but that’s why I don’t create these maps, I just review them! Lol. Maybe something like look up, look down, it’s behind you would be better? That kind of thing??
On the back there are also some really interesting facts about the towns. We’ve loved reading these. For instance, did you know that a Cock and Bull story originates from two pubs in Stony Stratford? Well you do now! There’s also details of how to download your certificates.
How long do Treasure Map Trails take to do?
How long is a piece of string? Sorry, that’s not particularly helpful is it? That completely depends on the trail, and if you stop off along the way, but I’d say each one of the Treasure Map Trails takes about 90 minutes to do. The good thing is that you don’t have to do it all in one go, you can do them over several days if you want to. You can also pad them out with other activities (see below)
What treasures am I looking for?
They’re all hiding in plain sight and they’re all things that are pretty much guaranteed to be permanent. Think signs on buildings, doorways, windows, sculptures, that kind of thing. There’s also some pretty cool things like totem poles, a plough and a squatting child! There’s no actual treasure though (unless you bring your own!).
How can I make Treasure Map Trails last longer?
Most of the routes go through the town or city centres so there are plenty of refreshment stops along the way if little legs (or tummies) need resting/refilling. Most of them have also got things to do, or places to visit along the way, that can turn a 90 minute treasure hunt into a longer trip, maybe even a full day out.
Here’s a couple of other ways you can combine Treasure Map Trails with other, nearby, activities
- Combine the Stony Stratford map with a visit to Milton Keynes Museum
- If you’re doing the Leighton Buzzard map why not take a break half way and visit Parson’s Road Recreation Ground. There’s a splash park, beach, playground, skate park, cafe and toilets.
- In St Albans the map goes near St Albans Cathedral, Verulamium Park and St Albans Museum & Gallery, all of which are free to visit. You could easily spend a full day doing all of this!
- In Aylesbury you could stop at the Discover Bucks Museum or Vale Park
- In Tring there are a couple of options. You can visit Tring Natural History Museum and Tring Park for free to make a full day out.
- Finally, in Berkhamsted your route will take you to Berkhamstead Castle, which is worth pausing to explore. You can also visit Canal Fields playground & skate park which is just down the road or the Ashridge Estate which is about 10 minutes away.
Should I only do a Treasure Map Trail of places I haven’t visited before?
No! I’ve lived in Aylesbury for most of my life (I keep moving away and coming back again!) so I did assume I would know what all of the treasures were. Actually there were a couple I just hadn’t noticed before. One of them I really struggled to find! We’ve also done maps of places that I’ve never visited before and it was a really nice way to explore a completely new town.
Doing these treasure hunts with the kids is a great family activity and it makes you stop, take notice of the things around you and work together as a team. How often do we walk past stuff without really looking at it? Even if you already know what the treasure is, the kids might not, and they’ll be delighted when they find it!
Our Treasure Map Trails review
I really do think these maps are such a great way to spend some family time together. We usually have two maps between us which prevents squabbling. They’re aimed at ages 5-12 but Smallest Child enjoys them as much as the boys. Finding activities that kids with a range of ages all enjoy can be hard – but this does it really well. Usually the boys find the treasure first and then we tell Smallest Child which one she’s looking for. If she loses interest for a bit then she can just walk and the boys can do the hunting. Seems to work well for us.
These make a great gift, are great to have on hand for impromptu days out or for cheap school holiday activities. The fact that you’re supporting a small, local business whilst keeping the kids entertained and learning about local towns is all a massive bonus for me!
Activity Cost
Maps are £6.99 each. Available from the Treasure Map Trails website (affiliate link). Don’t forget to use the code FREETIMEWITHTHEKIDS to save 10%
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I’m Vicky and I am a mum of three living in Aylesbury. I set up Free Time with the Kids to review free and cheap family days out in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, mainly because I kept forgetting all the fabulous places that were recommended to me!! I love getting out and about with the kids (and hubby of course) and we have adventures all over the place. My reviews tell you all the things you need to know about the family days out and activities we’ve done such as how much it costs, if there’s parking, toilets and if there’s a cafe or if picnics are allowed. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook