The Future of Treasure Hunts. Treasure Hunt Trends in 2025.

The first thing I have noticed recently is the willingness to try a treasure hunt later in the day. This was partly driven by having a team activity before the Christmas party, however this has also been carried forward into January and February too. An evening, team building treasure hunt in Brighton is just around the corner and features an international line-up including a large contingent from Norway. Maybe they are used to completing events in less light!  It`s an effective way of making the most of the visit and then attending a fun activity that leads in neatly to an evening meal and drinks at a local pub. This plan has also been copied by a weekend 50th birthday treasure hunt around Clapham (see evening photo attached to this blog in Clapham). At the conclusion of the event, comfortably past daylight hours, the group are going back to the party holder`s house to continue the celebrations. I will be `WhatsApping` them the results during the course of the evening!

In early February another team building treasure hunt with participants from a selection of countries are travelling down from Crawley, after a work training event, to start their treasure hunt from Brighton train station. With time limited to approx 1.5 hours they will be hungry but entertained once the activity and marking has been completed by 8pm.

The second trend to emerge has been the decision to utilise a treasure hunt by larger companies with a lot of employees. A treasure hunt represents excellent value by engaging the whole group for a whole morning, afternoon or, as mentioned above, an evening. The cost can be significantly less than alternative activities where you are using equipment or a venue such as an Escape Room or purchasing something tangible alongside expertise, like a Cocktail making evening for example. Black Cat plans a treasure hunt for a large amount of people to a fine degree so that it runs smoothly. I find there is no need to employ additional staff to run an event with many teams so long as you are organised and I would urge caution  (on costings) if the selling point of a treasure hunt activity is that there are several staff involved.
A trend that started last year but is becoming a normal feature of all the treasure hunts where I am involved to do the marking is the use of WhatsApp. It saves time at the end on marking and allows the opportunity to be interactive with teams during the event. The challenges in a Black Cat treasure hunt involve taking photos and video clips during the treasure hunt and then sending them to me. This also adds to the urgency of completing everything as you are not allowed to wait until the end to do that. I feel I know a lot more about the people taking part in the treasure hunt by the use of WhatsApp. Will the team member in charge of sending the photos and videos try to bribe me during the course of the treasure hunt or even be cunning and send bonus material! A lot of humour is always to be had at this stage.
A trend doesn`t need to be something new or something that has changed. Hen party treasure hunts have always liked the chance to explore and discover where they are during the day. This is especially true in Black Cat Treasure Hunts HQ venue, in Brighton. This compact but magically varied city is the perfect place to offer personalised treasure hunts. Black Cat prides himself on being in a position to allow unlimited photos and info into the questions and challenges that comprise a hen party treasure hunt. Too often I see limits placed on what can be included and that in itself diminishes the personalising aspect of it.
Trends can emerge at any time of the year of course and it will be interesting to see what the Summer brings. Last year saw the encompassing of original themes, which Black Cat is always game for. Another thing I have noticed this year which may be nailed down officially as a trend later on is the tendency to have an international element added to the proceedings. I referred to the Norwegian group in the first paragraph and since then I have had bookings for the future with participants from across the globe. I think in the past maybe a treasure hunt has had a uniquely British flavour attached to it and now the offices across the World want to get involved when they have a group teambuilding event/conference event in the UK.  For my part I will adapt the challenges to reflect which countries are being represented. I am becoming an expert on the national dances of Eastern Europe!
If you want to set a new trend for a treasure hunt with an original theme or mode of transport or in a new place then please get in touch. I can be contacted on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or (01323) 655346.