Adventure Academy: Play The Quest

Step into a world of imagination, challenges, and heroic fun in Adventure Academy: Play the Quest! Each week, participants become the heroes of an unfolding story, working together to solve puzzles, complete missions, and unlock the next chapter of their grand adventure. Through role-play, problem-solving, creative thinking, and teamwork, kids will develop confidence and collaboration skills while having a blast. Whether they’re decoding ancient maps, building traps to catch mythical creatures, or crafting tools to complete their quest, every session is packed with excitement. Get ready to play, imagine, and quest your way through an unforgettable journey!

See the Adventure Academy Packing List Here.

In this program, it will be up to the Instructor(s) to gauge the interests of the group and decide how best to structure the overall term. A suggested 15-week term plan is as follows:

Week 1 – The Call to Adventure

Theme: Hero Identity & Teamwork
Flow:

  1. Welcome & Story (5 min): “You’ve been called as heroes to begin a quest. Every hero must be prepared with their own symbol and strength.”
  2. Hero Creation (20 min): Kids make shields from cardstock: draw a crest, a power symbol, and their hero name.
  3. Team Trial (15 min): Create a rope “spiderweb” or hallway of yarn. Heroes must cross without touching the ropes — teammates help guide.
  4. Quest Map (10 min): As a group, decorate the large Quest Map Poster. Mark their first step with drawings or symbols.

Instructor Tip: Keep energy high and praise creative hero choices.

Supplies: Cardstock, markers/crayons, scissors, tape, rope/yarn, large poster board.

Week 2 – The Map of Secrets

Theme: Codes & Discovery
Flow:

  1. Recap & Hook (5 min): “Our map is enchanted. Only by cracking codes can we unlock the path.”
  2. Code Stations (20 min): Simple riddles, symbol-matching, or number puzzles. Place each clue in an envelope around the room.
  3. Hero Codes (15 min): Each group makes a simple code or riddle, swaps with another group to solve.
  4. Quest Map Update (10 min): Add a symbol or word to the map showing the “path forward.”

Instructor Tip: If kids get stuck, give gentle hints — they should succeed as a team.

Supplies: Paper, markers, envelopes, pre-made riddle cards (or instructor can handwrite them).

Week 3 – The Forest of Shadows

Theme: Challenges in the Dark
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The heroes step into the Forest of Shadows where dangers lurk.”
  2. Obstacle Course (20 min): Cones to weave, ropes to duck under, beanbags tossed as “shadow fireballs.”
  3. Light Challenges (15 min): Solve quick puzzles or teamwork tasks at each “checkpoint” to collect safety symbols.
  4. Amulet Craft (10 min): Each child makes a small paper/cardstock amulet and strings it with yarn.

Supplies: Cones, ropes, beanbags, cardstock, string/yarn, markers.

Week 4 – Creatures of the Realm

Theme: Imagination & Strategy
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “A strange creature appears in the realm.”
  2. Creature Design (15 min): In groups, kids draw and describe their mythical creature.
  3. Trap Building (15 min): Build a trap with cardboard, string, blocks, tape.
  4. Council Debate (10 min): Present creatures and decide: trap, fight, or befriend?
  5. Quest Map Update (5 min): Add creature sketches to the map.

Supplies: Paper, crayons, cardboard, string/yarn, tape, blocks.

Week 5 – The Riddle Bridge

Theme: Wit & Words
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “To cross the Riddle Bridge, only clever answers will help.”
  2. Bridge Game (20 min): Mark a “bridge” on the floor with tape/chairs. Kids can cross by answering riddles. Wrong answers = back to start.
  3. Riddle Keeper (15 min): Kids take turns being the bridge guardian, making up riddles or questions.
  4. Quest Map Update (5 min): Draw the Riddle Bridge on the map.

Supplies: Tape/chairs, riddle cards, paper/markers.

Week 6 – Tools of the Hero

Theme: Crafting Hero Gear
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “Heroes need tools to survive.”
  2. Craft (20 min): Make shields, spyglasses, grappling hooks using cardstock and cardboard.
  3. Training Grounds (15 min): Use tools in games:
    • Spyglass = spot hidden symbols posted on walls.
    • Shield = block beanbags.
    • Grappling hook = cardboard hook toss game.
  4. Reflection (5 min): Share which tool worked best.

Supplies: Cardstock, cardboard scraps, tape, markers, scissors, beanbags.

Week 7 – The Tower of Trials

Theme: Cooperation & Building
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The tower must rise to prove your teamwork.”
  2. Build Challenge (20 min): Groups make tallest tower from cups, straws, blocks.
  3. Storm Twist (10 min): Instructor waves paper or uses a fan to “shake” the tower.
  4. Quest Map Update (5 min): Draw their tower on the map.

Supplies: Plastic cups, straws, tape, blocks, paper/fan.

Week 8 – The Dungeon of Puzzles

Theme: Escape Together
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The heroes are trapped! Solve puzzles to escape.”
  2. Puzzle Hunt (25 min): Hide riddles, word searches, tangrams, scavenger hunt clues around the room.
  3. Escape (10 min): Once all puzzles are solved, they “unlock” the dungeon and add a symbol to the map.

Supplies: Printable puzzles, scavenger hunt cards, envelopes.

Week 9 – The Village in Peril

Theme: Helping Others
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The nearby village is under threat.”
  2. Missions (25 min):
    • Put out “fires” with red paper cones.
    • Build sandbag wall for “floods” (blue sheets/pillows).
    • Find lost objects in scavenger hunt.
  3. Debrief (10 min): Heroes share how they helped. Add the village to the Quest Map.

Supplies: Red/blue paper, props for scavenger hunt.

Week 10 – The Final Battle Prep

Theme: Strategy Session
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The villain waits. Heroes must prepare.”
  2. Inventory (10 min): Kids gather their shields, tools, and amulets.
  3. Battle Planning (20 min): Groups sketch plans for how they’ll fight or trick the villain.
  4. Mini Training Games (10 min): Relay races, riddle contests, shield blocks.

Supplies: Past crafts (shields, tools), paper, markers.

Week 11 – The Great Quest Finale

Theme: The Grand Adventure
Flow:

  1. Story (5 min): “This is the final challenge!”
  2. Quest Circuit (30 min): Rotate through 4–5 stations: puzzle, obstacle, role-play, riddle, teamwork build.
  3. Final Villain (10 min): Instructor plays villain — kids present their battle plans and tools.
  4. Treasure (5 min): Everyone earns gold coins and plastic gems.

Supplies: Past tools/props, plastic coins/gems, box for treasure.

Week 12 – Celebration & Legacy

Theme: Reflection & Creativity
Flow:

  1. Hero’s Chronicle (20 min): Large mural or book page: each child adds one drawing/quote from their journey.
  2. Hero Certificates (15 min): Each child designs their own award — “Strongest Shield,” “Most Clever,” etc.
  3. Closing Ceremony (10 min): Group cheer, share final thoughts.

Supplies: Large paper mural, cardstock, markers, stickers, gold coins/plastic gems.

Week 13 – The Labyrinth of Legends

Theme: Mazes & Logic
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The Labyrinth awaits!”
  2. Maze Game (20 min): Tape out a maze. Kids blindfolded while partners guide them safely through.
  3. Riddle Challenge (15 min): Solve riddles or matching puzzles to open the labyrinth exit.
  4. Treasure (5 min): Collect plastic gems/coins.

Supplies: Tape, chairs, blindfolds, riddle cards, plastic coins/gems.

Week 14 – The Sky Realm

Theme: Flight & Imagination
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The heroes soar into the Sky Realm.”
  2. Glider Craft (20 min): Kids fold and decorate paper gliders as magical creatures.
  3. Flight Games (15 min): Longest flight, land in target, “deliver a scroll” flights.
  4. Storytelling (10 min): Kids introduce their sky creatures to the group.

Supplies: Paper, tape, markers, buckets/targets, measuring tape.

Week 15 – The Hero’s Festival

Theme: Celebration & Mastery
Flow:

  1. Intro (5 min): “The land celebrates the heroes’ victory!”
  2. Create Festival Stations (20 min): Groups invent a mini-game, riddle, or challenge.
  3. Festival Play (20 min): Rotate through each group’s station, earning gold coins.
  4. Final Closing (10 min): Count coins, share highlights, big group cheer.

Supplies: Craft supplies, markers, paper, gold coins, Quest Map.

Adventure Academy Packing List

Note that a wide variety of crafting materials will be packed for this program. Depending on the interests of the participants, additional items may be requested by emailing Liz at any time. Please give at least 1 week notice when requesting supplies.

🎨 Craft & Art Supplies
  • Cardstock (plenty, assorted colours)
  • Large poster board or roll of mural paper (for Quest Map & Hero’s Chronicle)
  • Construction paper (red, blue, assorted)
  • Scrap cardboard pieces (easy to cut for tools/traps)
  • Markers (thick and thin)
  • Crayons / pencil crayons
  • Scissors (child-safe)
  • Tape (masking + clear)
  • Glue sticks
  • Stickers (for decorating shields, amulets, certificates)
🧩 Game & Puzzle Supplies
🏃 Physical Challenge Supplies
  • Rope or yarn (for spiderweb challenge, obstacle courses, traps)
  • Cones (or anything that can mark obstacles)
  • Beanbags (or soft tossables for “shadow fireballs”)
  • Plastic cups (stacking/building)
  • Straws (for tower builds)
  • Blocks / LEGO / Jenga-style pieces (tower building, trap making)
  • Fan (small handheld or paper flappers to simulate “storm”)
  • Chairs (for bridges/mazes)
  • Buckets / containers (targets for glider games)
  • Measuring tape (for flight challenges)
💎 Quest Treasures & Tokens
  • Plastic gold coins (multi-use: rewards, tokens, Hero’s Festival)
  • Plastic gems (optional — extra treasure variety)
  • Treasure chest box or container (for the finale & rewards)
📜 Storytelling & Extras
  • Hero’s Chronicle supplies (large mural paper, markers, glue for collage)
  • Paper for Hero Certificates (Week 12)
  • Extra scrap paper for drawing creatures, maps, riddles, plans