QC Codes Treasurehunt

At a recent children's party we had a treasure hunt using a tablet PC (Android). This went well because the simple presence of the technology calmed the guests and allowed me to control proceedings more closely than is normally possible.

I selected a set of hiding places at a local playground and hid QC codes in plastic bags (transparent freezer bags).

The QC codes were made using a generator like http://www.qrstuff.com/ and contained only a text question with a single word or number answer.

I used a QC code reader App (I used Quickmark, because it makes a funny noise)

The numbers and words were used as the password to locked files on the tablet, I used File Locker by M. Wojas

It ran like this

At each position was a QC code, they scanned thic with a tablet that I carried. This resulted in a question, e.g. Question 1 What is the square root of 64?

They switched to file locker and unlocked a file there with the answer, 8. This resulted in usually two new files, in some cases there was a map or picture clue to the next place and then a close up of where the QC code was hidden. I also used compass bearings (a compass app), a sound clue (the sound of a piece of playground equipment e.t.c.

Usually then half of the children would run off and the rest would walk with me, but as the QC codes are unreadable without a tablet they all had to wait at the next site until we all arrived (I made sure to walk as slowly as the slowest child).

We addressed the questions to specific children, this was not as effective as expected, but they all had a turn unlocking the files, reading the QCs and trying a problem.