Our closest mall is the Smith Haven Mall and almost an hour away from home. So, while it’s a trek, it’s also a treat. My cover was that I was taking her and her bestie shopping as a birthday gift. Two other mothers (thank you!!!) carpooled the guests to the mall. We met at the Cheesecake Factory where all the girls were already seated and my daughter was greeted with a huge SURPRISE!
After her embarrassment filtered away, yup twelve is an age where everything is embarrassing, she relaxed and had an awesome time! The Cheesecake Factory does not take reservations, but I called a week ahead anyway and then again morning of. They were super accommodating and had the sixteen top we needed set up and ready to go (Thank you!!!) The girls ordered off of the children’s menu which included a free drink and refill and dessert! We sang her “Happy Birthday” with a candle in her sundae and it was time to hunt.
I did a little google/pinterest research and came up with a list of items that the girls needed to find and a list of things the girls needed to do. All of this was documented on Instagram using a specific # (maybe your daughters name, age, hunt - for example #Jennifer13BdayHunt.) They collected business cards, staged a Karate fight in front of a store, acted like mannequins in a store window, all climbed on one bed (thank you Sleep Number, and had mini makeovers (thank you Sephora.) You can find my list here and some of our pictures here.
This was actually one of the less expensive parties I have thrown for my daughter. I didn’t do any decorating. Lunch was inexpensive since they were able to order off of the children’s menu. We skipped cake because dessert was provided. If we lived closer to the mall, I probably would have chosen to skip lunch out and have the girls meet at a designated mall location and return to our home afterward for cake etc. This would make it even less costly.
The girls and the mom chaperones had a terrific time! We thank the shops that welcomed us so graciously. My daughter was begging to stay and do the shopping that had been promised to her; we will be heading back to Smith Haven Mall soon! Have you ever hosted a scavenger hunt? Would love to read your comments below.
