Order custom puzzles through sites like Shutterfly and Collage. Consider adding a message to your puzzle’s image like, “Surprise! You’re going to Hawaii!” or “Happy Birthday! Mickey’s waiting for you!” If the puzzle comes in a box with the puzzle’s image on it, put it in a blank box or bag, so your loved one won’t know what they’re revealing until the puzzle is complete.
Theme your clues around the destination. For example, if they’re going to the beach, hide clues near a pair of sandals, under popsicles in the freezer, or beside the pool. Make the final clue their ticket or a message saying something like, “You’re going to Disney World!” Keep the clues age appropriate. If the vacation is for a younger child, help them read the clues or use pictures to describe where the next clue is.
Write the riddles on notes to stick randomly around the house for them to find. Text them a clue in the middle of the day to lift their spirits. Make the riddles as easy or difficult as you like; just keep your loved one’s age in mind. One of your riddle clues might be, “I measure time, I build castles, and I’m small enough to fit in a spoon. What am I?”
Create a QR code easily on website like QR Code Generator, QRCode Monkey, or beconstac. If you don’t want to make a video yourself, no problem! Link the QR code to a travel brochure or documentary featuring the destination.
No boxes, no problem! Try this same idea but use various sizes of envelopes instead.
Place the ticket in the fold of a piece of clothing, so they’ll have to unfold the item to find it. Slide the ticket in between the pages of a self-help book. Tape the ticket to the underside of a box of chocolates.
“Happy Birthday, Abby! P. S. You’re going to London!” “Pack your bags! The Eiffel Tower is waiting!” Consider theming the cake around the destination, even if it doesn’t go with the party’s theme.
Try getting your loved one’s favorite celebrity or influencer involved using Cameo (a personalized video service). Simply pay the celebrity or influencer through the service, and ask them to reveal the trip in their message.
Try wrapping up a series of items for the trip separately but make the final present a note about how they’ll need everything for an upcoming getaway.
For instance, if you’re taking them to Italy, try making pasta from scratch and serving wine imported from the country. If cooking isn’t your thing, take them to a restaurant featuring the country or culture’s cuisine.
Fill the balloons with confetti or sparkles for extra fun. This game is best to play with children of elementary age and older as sitting on balloons could cause a few boo-boos.
Greece: Mamma Mia France: Ratatouille Scotland: Brave London: Love, Actually New York: West Side Story
Consider keeping your kids guessing even after you get to the airport. This way, they’ll have to use context clues and observational skills to “crack the code. ”