Does an adult need to run the game?

One adult plays the Quartermaster — you sit at a desk with the answer key and trade correct answers for map pieces. The guide gives you a run sheet for the whole hour, and staying in character is the only hard requirement.

Will it work for a big party?

Yes — the six stations solve in any order, so up to 10 pirates never queue behind one puzzle. For 9–11s, split into two rival crews racing for the chest.

My kids are younger than 7 — can they play?

Younger pirates play happily alongside a grown-up or an older kid. The guide includes an easier setting: one crew, no timer, and hint cards laid open at every station.

Do I need to buy a padlock?

No — the kit includes paper seals so you can be the lock yourself: the crew shouts the password and you break the seal. A real 4-digit or word padlock adds drama if you have one.

How much ink will it use?

The kit is designed to print cleanly in black and white, and you only print the game once plus one answer sheet per pirate.

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The Treasure of the Southern Cross

A printable pirate escape room for kids 7–11, Aussie edition. Six treasure stations, a torn map, and a race against Barnacle Bazza — download, print and play at your next party.

Ages:

7–11

Players:

2–10

Duration:

45–60 min

Setup:

~20 min

Difficulty:

Medium

Paper:

A$19

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The story

Captain Mad Maggie McCracken tore her treasure map into four pieces so no scoundrel could ever find her hoard. Now Barnacle Bazza and his chip-thieving seagull Chips are sailing in fast — and your crew must solve Maggie's six challenges, rebuild the torn map, and reach the chest first.

About this quest

The Treasure of the Southern Cross is a complete print-and-play pirate escape room built as six stations. The crew moves between them in any order — so ten kids are never queuing behind one puzzle — solving challenges of maths, logic, mazes and stargazing. Four stations each earn a piece of Captain Maggie's torn treasure map and a secret number; joined together, the map reveals where the chest sleeps and the numbers crack its password. You play the Quartermaster: sit at your desk with the answer key, trade correct answers for map pieces, and stay gloriously in character while the crew does the work. Progressive hint cards keep stuck crews moving, a physical Walk the Plank challenge burns energy mid-game, and the finale is a real treasure chest — any box with the party bags or cake inside. Four ways to play (one crew, rival crews, pairs, or scavenger mode), difficulty dials for younger and older pirates, and a full answer key with bonus facts about limes, reefs and the Southern Cross. Print one copy of the game, plus a Ship's Record per pirate — the whole kit is designed to print cleanly in black and white on a home printer.

How the game works

Print the kit once (plus a Ship’s Record per pirate), cut out the map and party pieces, and put the six stations up around the party area — about 20 minutes.
Read the Captain's Orders aloud: Maggie's treasure is out there and Barnacle Bazza is closing in.
Crews tackle the six stations in any order, trading correct answers at your Quartermaster desk for pieces of the torn map.
Walk the Plank gets the whole crew moving mid-game; hint cards rescue anyone stuck.
Join the four map pieces to find the chest, crack the four-number password, shout it loud — and share the treasure fair.

What's included

Quartermaster's host guide with run sheet and hints policy
Party invitations and door sign
Captain's orders and pirate proclamation (wanted poster)
Crew papers and Ship’s Record answer sheets
Six challenge stations (any order — no queuing)
Torn treasure map in four pieces
Hint cards with a three-step hint system
Treasure chest kit: sign, seals and re-writable hiding-place ribbon
Pirate certificates and photo props
Full answer key with Aussie bonus facts

What you'll need

Home printer and A4 paper
Scissors and sticky tape or blu-tack
A pencil for every pirate
Any box to be the treasure chest (party bags or cake inside)
Masking tape or a skipping rope, a spoon and a rolled sock for Walk the Plank
Optional: a 4-digit or word padlock for extra drama

Setup & printing

A4 layout. The whole kit is designed to print cleanly in black and white on an ordinary home printer — colour looks even better but is never required. Print the Game Materials once, plus one Ship's Record per pirate or team. Printing on US Letter works with 'fit to page'.

Setup time: about 20 minutes
Paper: A4
Ink-saving version included
Full-colour version included
An adult game guide keeps the adventure moving (full script provided).

Peek inside

Sample page: 'Ahoy! Crew wanted' pirate party invitations, two per A4 page

Sample page: Captain Mad Maggie McCracken's orders, read aloud to start the treasure hunt

Sample page: pirate proclamation wanted poster for Barnacle Bazza and his seagull Chips

Questions parents ask

Ready for the adventure?

The Treasure of the Southern Cross · Ages 7–11 · 2–10 players · 45–60 min

Instant digital download · Secure checkout · Print at home

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