Myths About GPS Treasure Hunts That Are Holding You Back

The Truth About Running a GPS Treasure Hunt or Scavenger Hunt

Planning a GPS treasure hunt sounds like an exciting way to energise your team or engage a group in an outdoor activity. However, the underlying misconceptions about creating these activities may keep you from delivering a fun and successful experience. Let’s break down some common myths surrounding GPS-based treasure hunts or scavenger hunts and uncover what really works.

Myth 1: Players Need to Walk Miles

One of the most widespread beliefs is that participants must cover long distances during a GPS treasure hunt to make it worthwhile. This simply isn’t true!

While adventuring and exploring are part of the fun, making people trek miles can lead to more complaints than cheers. The focus should be on inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of fitness level, can participate comfortably. A well-designed hunt balances physical activity with mental engagement. A leisurely walk with dynamic challenges here and there is far more enjoyable than an endurance test.

Platforms like MAKE allow organisers to create flexible routes that cater to a variety of preferences, ensuring the activity remains accessible while still being rewarding.

Myth 2: GPS Markers Should Be Super Precise

Some organisers assume that the GPS radius for unlocking clues or tasks needs to be tiny—that is, participants must stand in an exact spot before the activity kicks in. The idea sounds challenging in theory, but it’s a quick way to frustrate your group.

Here’s the reality: GPS signals can vary due to conditions such as weather or building interference. If your GPS requirements are too strict, you’ll spend more time troubleshooting than having fun. For instance, a 30-metre radius works perfectly to ensure a smooth experience. Players will still need to navigate to roughly the right spot, but they won’t be left scratching their heads in frustration.

Myth 3: The Harder the Challenge, the Better

Many organisers worry that offering “tougher” puzzles or trivia will make the activity feel more gratifying. However, overwhelming your participants with overly difficult questions can actually discourage participation. People lose motivation quickly when faced with impossible hurdles.

The sweet spot lies in creating content that strikes a balance: challenges that are engaging but not overwhelming. Content should accommodate a range of skills while rewarding those who crack puzzles quickly. A points system that awards more for first-time correct answers but still challenges through additional attempts can keep everyone motivated. Most successful treasure hunts challenge without frustrating, offering little victories along the way to keep spirits high.

Myth 4: Photo and Video Tasks Are Too Silly

The idea that photo and video challenges might feel juvenile or embarrassing doesn’t hold up when you see the creativity they inspire. People are often surprised by how much fun they can have when encouraged to let loose, even a little.

Allowing teams to interpret prompts in their own creative way fosters collaboration and fun. Have your players capture moments, improvise short video clips, or embrace silly scenarios they need to “act out” as part of their tasks. You’ll find that these activities make for some of the most memorable highlights.

Unique points-based systems like those from MAKE even allow players to express themselves in ways that resonate best with their team’s personality—whether bold or reserved.

Myth 5: GPS Treasure Hunts Are Only for Tech-Savvy People

Another common myth is that GPS-based activities alienate less tech-savvy participants. The notion that every team member needs to know how to handle smartphones or apps is far from the truth.

A good GPS activity setup only requires one person per team to operate a smartphone. From there, the app merely serves as a facilitator, delivering clues, content, and creative tasks. It’s not about tech proficiency—it’s about collaboration and teamwork. By involving everyone in brainstorming and problem-solving, no one is left out.

By incorporating user-friendly tools, even complete novices to tech can shine, contributing their unique skills and fostering cooperation among their peers.

Myth 6: You Must Hide Physical Items

When considering interactive tasks, many believe you need to hide physical objects around the activity area. While it might seem like an authentic option, in practice, this can result in logistical nightmares. Think of weather conditions, potential theft of items, or even the time spent placing and retrieving materials—it’s simply unnecessary.

Using GPS markers eliminates this risk entirely. A mobile-based scavenger hunt offers all the immersion of tracking specific locations while maintaining simplicity. The interactive nature of on-screen challenges ensures that participants are deeply engaged without requiring physical props.

Myth 7: Everyone Needs to Start at a Different Point

The idea of starting each team in a separate location to prevent any following or overlap is rooted in the fear of unoriginal gameplay. However, trust us when we say this isn’t necessary.

Human nature ensures that teams take different approaches naturally. Some groups might charge ahead, while others prefer to plan their strategy. Carefully placed GPS markers with multiple routes to choose from make it nearly impossible for teams to trail one another for long.

By setting the stage with clear instructions and spacing out key checkpoints, large groups will naturally disperse and embrace divergent strategies. Focus on encouraging creativity in the tasks themselves, and the worry about overlapping will barely cross anyone’s mind.

Striking the Perfect Balance in GPS Treasure Hunts

There you have it - breaking down the myths behind GPS treasure hunts reveals that, at their core, these activities are about collaboration, creativity, and shared fun. By busting these myths, you can design a hunt that’s engaging and enjoyable for all involved.

For those looking to make their event planning even smoother, tools like MAKE help you design interactive and inclusive experiences effortlessly. From customisable challenges to flexible start points, MAKE empowers you to focus on the fun while leaving the finer details to proven templates. Why not give your team a chance to see what’s possible?