The Skeleton Thief: From Halloween Games at Americanfolklore.net

A Halloween Treasure Hunt

Materials: Skeleton footprints, Cauldron filled with Candy (prize), decorations

Preparation: Cut out six or seven skeleton footprints. On the back of each footprint, write a “clue” to the location of the next footprint. (Example: Look behind the sink in the downstairs bathroom.) Hide each new footprint in the place indicated by the previous clue. The last footprint should contain the “clue” that leads to the Cauldron of Candy.

Decorations: Decorate the place where the cauldron is hidden to look like a Skeleton’s hideout or a Skeleton Ball.

Story and Treasure Hunt: Read the poem below at the start of the treasure hunt. Then show the treasure hunters the place where you’ve hidden the first skeleton footprint. Instruct the hunters to find all the footprints, which will lead them to the Skeleton’s Ball and the stolen Cauldron of Candy.

The Skeleton Thief
By S.E. Schlosser
A rattle of bones!
Who could it be?
It is a Skeleton,
Looking to see
If that cauldron of candy
We left in the hall
Might make a good feast
At the Skeleton Ball.
A rattle of bones!
Quick, look and see!
Oh no! The Skeleton’s
Stolen our candy!

Follow the footprints,
Uncover the clues,
Find out where the Skeleton
And his crazy crew
Have taken our cauldron
Of candied delight.
We must save our feast
On this Halloween night!