Amazing Race Birthday Party
by Sally Cole-White
(San Leandro, CA)
We did an Amazing Race Birthday party for my daughter's 11th birthday. We kept everything local, within walking distance, and I recruited a parent to act as an additional chaperone. The following is my complete list of rules and clues. I had three teams, 12 clues each, and instead of having them all race together, I staggered the clues so that they each did everything, but in different orders.
AMAZING RACE BIRTHDAY PARTY
The Amazing Race will be a scavenger hunt through town in 3 teams of 3. Each team will be chaperoned by an adult, who will be there to supervise, but will not “do” any of the activities, or help.
Chaperones will hold all the clues and will distribute them when appropriate.
DECORATIONS:
• Poster for door of Amazing Race clue card
• Yellow tablecloth with black stripe and yellow lettering on the stripe that says The Amazing Race - (name of birthday boy or girl).
• Yellow and black balloons and streamers, plastic cups, plates, napkins.
GIFT BAGS:
• Each child will receive a t-shirt of her team color
• Cellophane bag with candy inside and thank you in color/shape/lettering of amazing race clue
START-UP:
There will be three teams, one with x as chaperone (the blue team), one with y as chaperone (the white team) and one with z as chaperone (the red team). To determine which team the kids are on, they will draw a color from a hat. (There will be the appropriate number of colors in the hat.) Each child and chaperone will have a t-shirt (Old Navy Flag Tee). They will get a t-shirt with their team color.
Back pack will have the following:
• Bandana tied to bag to identify team
• First clue on top
• Camera
• Water bottle (one for each person)
• Town map
• Pencils or pen
• Backpack to hold the above
• Ball (tennis ball)
INSTRUCTIONS TO CHAPERONES:
• You are responsible for staying with your team and keeping them safe.
• Chaperones will hold all the unopened clues until the tasks have been satisfied.
• Make sure kids stay hydrated, and drink lots of water yourself!
• All team members should open the clues together, or take turns opening the clues, and read them aloud. Have the kids keep their clues after opening.
• All team members must stick together and stay with their chaperone. Do not let the kids run too far ahead.
• Let the kids complete all tasks on their own… you should not be helping (other than as directed in each clue, i.e., to take photos).
• Please make sure in public places (the Rite Aid, the SL Library) that behavior is appropriate.
• Call Sally cell when you are at your next to last clue.
• Have fun!
Important phone numbers:
(list cell numbers here)
RULES FOR RACERS:
• Apply sunscreen before the race starts.
• All team members should open the clues together, or take turns opening the clues, and read them aloud. Keep your clues after you have opened them.
• All team members must stick together and stay with their chaperone. Do not run ahead.
• Complete all tasks on your own… The chaperone is there for your safety, and should not be helping you with tasks (other than as directed in your clue).
• Drink lots of water during the race.
• Be good citizens. You are going to be out and about in our home town. Please be considerate and respectful of others.
• If there are any questions or problems, please call x at
• Have fun!
AMAZING RACE BIRTHDAY PARTY CLUES
ALL TEAMS:
Instructions to each team (when I say “go”):
Go into the back yard and find a backpack with your team’s color bandana tied to it. On top of the backpack will be your first clue.
Clue 1 (all teams)
Gnome needs a Home
Find a garden gnome (statue) somewhere in the yard. Come up with a name for the gnome and carry it with your team the entire race. When you have named the gnome, take it and your backpack to your chaperone. Have your chaperone take a photo of your team with the gnome. The chaperone will then give you your next clue.
Clue 2
Hide and Seek
Proceed to the Living Room and find a marked clue somewhere in the room (Note: Take only one clue… Leave any additional clues where you find them so that they will be there for the next team).
Clue 3
You Say It’s Your Birthday
Take this CD and play it in one of the two CD players (There is one in the living room, and one will be set up outside.) Your team will choreograph a dance to the song. Practice so you can perform it later. (Don’t take longer than about 15 minutes on this). Your chaperone will determine whether you are ready and will provide you with your next clue.
Clue 4
My Favorite Duckie
Using your map, walk to the vicinity of x and y street and locate a duck. Have the chaperone take a photo of your group with the duck. Smile everybody!!! When completed, your chaperone will give you the next clue.
Clue 5
Birthday Wishes
Using the map, walk to the Rite Aid located on x, between y and z. Look through the birthday card section to find a marked paper. (Note: Take only one marked paper… Leave any additional marked papers where you find them so that they will be there for the next team). IMPORTANT: DO NOT MAKE A MESS OF THE CARDS ON THE SHELVES…WE MUST RESPECT THE RITE AID STORE! Take a photo of your group outside the store holding the marked paper. Hold onto this marked paper, as it will be used again in future clues. Your chaperone will then provide you with your next clue.
Clue 6
Using your map, walk to Uncle Gary’s house at x street, between y and z Streets. Once there, ring the bell and Gary will host this next part of the race. Perform the following:
• Gary will direct you to the “Applesauce Challenge”. Everyone must complete the challenge. Ask your chaperone to take a photo of your group as you complete the task.
• Find the superhero hidden in the living room. Take a photo of your team with Uncle Gary and the superhero.
• Have the chaperone take a silly photo of your group with Uncle Gary.
When the above tasks are completed, your chaperone will give you your next clue.
Clue 7
Bridge
Find the footbridge over the town creek that connects x to y street. Have your chaperone take a picture of your team on the bridge. Hold your gnome in this photo. For bonus, hold up an Amazing Race clue in the photo. Your chaperone will give you your next clue.
Clue 8
Field of Green
Using your map, walk to the Middle School track, near x and y street. Once there, your team must spread out around the track and perform a relay… passing your gnome between each person. Take a photo of your team at this location. Make sure to include the gnome in the photo.
Bonus Questions:
• What date was the sports field dedicated? ______________________
• To what person is the sports field dedicated? ____________________
Your chaperone will give you your next clue.
Clue 9
Birthday in the Park
Proceed to the Park at x and y Ave.
• Have one person get on a swing, two persons standing. Standing persons must take turns throwing the ball (find ball in the backpack) to the swinging person 5 times without dropping it. (Note: Does not need to be 5 times in a row, just 5 times total).
• Find some children and ask them if they will join you in singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl or boy. Ask their parent’s permission to record the song on your camera phone or camera video. Explain that it is for an Amazing Race Birthday Party. Make sure you thank everyone.
• Have your chaperone take a photo of your group in the park.
Your chaperone will give you your next clue.
Clue 10
Book Smart
Using the town Map, make your way to the Main Library at x Ave (between y and z Streets). Once there, find the following four clues and then solve the puzzle. Remember to replace each book exactly where you found it so that the next team can also find it!
1. Go to the Adult Biography section of the library. Find a biography written by Charles B. Rangel. Take the 7th word from the title of that book, and write it here_______________________________
2. Find a book filed at 971.9 MURPHY in the children’s non-fiction section of the library titled “Children of the Gold Rush”. Find the first name of the author and write it here____________________
3. Go to the Science Fiction section of the library and find the book entitled “Science Fiction Roll of Honor” edited by Frederick Pohl. Find the story that starts on page 235 of that book. Write down the 5th word in the title of that story here________________________
4. Go to the adult non-fiction section of the library and find a book filed at 618.2 LAKE, a book by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. Write down the 3rd word of the title of the book here____________
PUZZLE: Arrange the above four words into a message here: __________________________________________________
Take a photo of your team in front of the Library.
Your chaperone will give you your next clue.
Clue 11
Return to home. In the dining room, select a 100 piece puzzle and put it together. Ask your chaperone for your final clue when completed.
Clue 12
Pit Stop!
You have now completed the Amazing Birthday RACE! Make your way to the pit stop in the back yard!!!
Warning, last team to arrive will not be eliminated, but will partake in cake and ice cream!!!!
