🧮 Math Module​

Create math-based tasks with custom settings:

• Number of Problems: Set how many problems appear.

• Precision: 0 = whole numbers. Other numbers define decimal places.

• Allowed Operators: Choose from +, −, ×, ÷.

• Complexity Levels:

  • Addition: Simple (no regrouping) or Advanced (with regrouping)

  • Subtraction: Simple (positive only) or Advanced (may include negatives)

  • Multiplication: Simple (single-digit) or Advanced (multi-digit)

  • Division: Simple (whole numbers) or Advanced (remainders/decimals)

• Integer Only: Ensures results are always whole numbers.

✅ Selection Task Module​

Build multiple-choice questions:

• Question Setup: Enter a single or multiple-choice question.

• Answer Options: Add possible answers (usually 2–6).

• Correct Answer(s): Select one or more correct options.

✏️ Freeform Text Module​

Used for open-ended, creative clues:

• Write Anything: Add any clue or instruction (no input needed).

• No Correct Answer: Players tap “Next” to continue.

• Best For: Actions like “Do 5 star jumps!” or “Take a selfie with a tree.”

What is a Clue?

A clue in Backyard Hunt consists of several components that define its role in the game:

Clue Task: This is the primary component of the clue, which includes a task that players must solve to “unlock” or move past the clue. Detailed information about clue tasks will be available in a separate section of the help documentation.

Clue Hint: For Treasure Hunts, a clue hint provides guidance on where the clue is hidden, aiding players in locating it. In contrast, for Scavenger Hunts, since the location does not matter, there are no hints and players find clues at random.

Using and Modifying Clues

Users have the flexibility to either download pre-existing hunts, which come with attached clues, or create entirely new custom hunts:

Pre-existing Hunts: Download and use Treasure or Scavenger hunts with ready-made clues.

Custom Hunts: Create new hunts and add as many custom clues as desired.

Creating Clues

When adding new clues, users can choose to build them completely from scratch or use presets to simplify the process:

Custom Build: Fully customize every aspect of the clue.

Presets: Select content from our predefined, curated categories for each task type.

Managing Hints

For hints associated with clues:

Custom Hints: Directly type out where the clue is hidden.

Location List: Choose from a pre-selected list of locations. If the same location as previously used during onboarding is selected, users can reuse already printed QR codes, maintaining the stability and reuse of QR codes across games.

Special Clue Type: The Final Clue

Final Clue in Treasure Hunts: This is a unique type of clue, applicable only in Treasure Hunts. It is always the last clue and leads players to the actual treasure or reward. All Treasure Hunts must include exactly one final clue.

By leveraging the flexibility and tools provided in the Clues section, users can craft personalized and dynamic hunts that provide endless fun and challenge for all participants.

My Hunts

This section is your personal hub for all the hunts you’ve created or selected. Here, you can:

Create New Hunts: Design your own custom hunts which will appear in this section.

Select Featured Hunts: Choose from pre-designed hunts curated by our team, suitable for a variety of themes and difficulty levels.

Playing Hunts

Once you’ve saved a hunt to “My Hunts,” you can start playing according to the type of hunt:

Scavenger Hunts

Start: Find the first clue.

Progress: Solve the tasks associated with each clue.

Completion: Continue finding and solving clues until all have been discovered and completed. The hunt finishes once all clues are found.

Treasure Hunts

Start: Solve the tasks of the first clue.

Progression: Use the hint provided to find the next clue.

Final Clue and Treasure: Follow the clues and hints sequentially until you reach the final clue, which leads to the treasure.

Replaying Hunts

You can replay any hunt stored in “My Hunts” as many times as you like, enhancing the value and enjoyment of your creations.

Management Tools

Clues Manager: Parents and organizers can use the Clues Manager to view and print QR codes for each hunt. This tool is especially useful in preparing for the hunts.

QR Codes: In Treasure Hunts, remember that you can reuse QR codes that are tied to specific locations, making setup more efficient and environmentally friendly.

This section of the help page ensures that users have a comprehensive understanding of how to engage with and enjoy the various hunts available in Backyard Hunt, maximizing the fun and learning opportunities.

Treasure Hunts

Treasure Hunts are structured with a specific order:

Sequential Clues: Players must solve each clue in order to receive a hint that leads them to the next one.

Ordered Progression: Each clue solved brings players closer to discovering the final location.

Final Clue: This special clue reveals the location of the treasure or reward, marking the culmination of the hunt.

Hint System: Each clue includes a hint to help players find the next clue’s location, enhancing the narrative and exploration elements of the hunt.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger Hunts offer a more flexible gameplay structure:

Random Order: There is no set order in which clues must be found. Players can find and solve clues in any sequence.

QR Codes as Identifiers: QR codes used in Scavenger Hunts do not correspond to specific locations but serve as unique identifiers. They can be placed randomly within the play area.

No Clue Hints: Clues do not include hints because their order and discovery are non-linear.

Completion: The hunt is completed when all clues have been found and solved, regardless of the order.

Choosing and Creating Hunts

Curated Hunts: Users can select from a variety of pre-designed, themed hunts, suitable for different age groups and interests.

Custom Hunts: For those looking to personalize their experience, the app allows users to create their own hunts, customizing everything from the theme to the complexity of the clues.

By understanding the differences between Treasure and Scavenger Hunts, players can choose the style that best suits their group’s interests and dynamics, ensuring an engaging and enjoyable hunting experience.

Presets are pre-designed content provided by us for each clue task category. These presets are categorized to suit a wide range of themes and interests, making it easy for you to find the perfect fit for your hunt.

Categories of Presets

We provide an extensive range of categorized presets, currently including:

Adventure, Africa, America, Animals, Asia, Australia, Australia & Oceania

Biology, Birthday Party Activities, Books, Capitals, Cartoons, Christian, Cities

Cuisine, Dinosaurs, Easter, Europe, Exercise, Fairy tales, Games

Geography, Heart, History, Insect, Inventions, Inventors, Kindness

Landmarks, Legends, Mythology, Mythology and legends, Nature, Nature Art

North America, Nursery Rhymes, Oceania, Rainforest, Riddles, Sea

South America, Space, Sport, Stories, Superheroes, Under the sea

United States of America, Universe, USA, Virtue, Wizards, World

How to Use Presets

When creating a new clue and selecting one of our modules (Math, Selection, or Free Text), you can also populate the content from predefined categories. This integration allows you to create enriched, themed clues without the need to craft every detail yourself.

Example:

Question: “What do you call a group of fish?” Possible Answers: “School,” “Flock,” “Herd,” “Pack” Categories: Nature, Animals, Biology

With presets, setting up your hunt becomes quicker, easier, and more thematic. Choose presets to make your game more engaging and fun for all players.

QR Code Functionality

Access to Clues: Each clue in your hunt can be accessed by scanning a QR code. This seamless integration makes the game interactive and engaging.

Scavenger Hunts

Random QR Code Generation: For scavenger hunts, the location of the QR code isn’t fixed. QR codes are generated randomly, allowing the clues to be discovered in any order which adds to the spontaneity and fun of the game.

Reuse of QR Codes: There’s no need to print new QR codes for each scavenger hunt. You can easily assign previously printed QR codes to new clues through the Clues Manager. This not only saves resources but also simplifies the setup process.

Treasure Hunts

Location-Specific QR Codes: In treasure hunts, the location matters as clues need to be found in a specific order. When creating your own hunts or downloading hunts from our library, QR codes are assigned based on the locations you’ve selected during the onboarding process or updated later in your settings.

Manual Location Selection: You can manually select specific locations for each QR code when setting up a custom treasure hunt to ensure the gameplay flows as intended.

Printing and Managing QR Codes

PDF Document Generation: QR codes are generated as part of a PDF document, which you can print and distribute in any way your device and operating system support.

Flexible Printing Options: You have the freedom to choose the layout and scaling of the QR codes on the page. For example, you can print six QR codes on one page to make them smaller, conserving paper and making them easier to manage.

By understanding and utilizing the QR code features effectively, you can enhance the experience of your hunts, making them more enjoyable and tailored to your preferences.

What are Shared Private Hunts?

Shared Private Hunts are available for subscribed “Pro” users, allowing them to share their custom private hunts with others. These hunts can be shared via a link or a QR code, making it easy for friends and family to join the fun without needing a “Pro” subscription.

Steps to Share Your Private Hunt

Create Your Private Hunt:

Open the Backyard Hunt app.

Design your hunt by setting up the clues and tasks as per your preference.

Navigate to Share Option:

Once your hunt is ready, go to the hunt settings.

Select the “Share” option.

Choose Sharing Method:

You can share your hunt via a link or by generating a QR code.

Set Preferences for Shared Link:

Start Date and End Date: Specify the date range during which the link can be used.

Number of Uses: Define how many times the link can be followed before it expires.

Share the Link or QR Code:

Distribute the link or QR code to your friends or family. They don’t need a “Pro” subscription to participate. They can simply download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and scan the QR code or follow the link to join the hunt.

Using the Shared Hunt

Install the App:

The recipients should install and open the Backyard Hunt app.

Join the Hunt:

Tap the QR code scanner icon in the top left corner or follow the shared link.

Enjoy the hunt!

Managing Your Shared Links

As the owner of the private hunt, you have control over your shared links:

Multiple Links: Create multiple shared links for the same hunt with different preferences.

Preferences: Set specific start and end dates, and limit the number of uses for each link.

Monitor Usage: Track how many times each link has been followed and manage their status. You can deactivate the links if needed.

Shared Private Hunts make it simple and fun to involve your friends and family in your custom hunts, ensuring everyone can join the adventure without additional subscriptions.

For more details and assistance, visit the Backyard Hunt Help Section.

Happy hunting!