Where's Waldo?

IN A NUTSHELL
The youth were sent on a search for "Waldo(s)" in a local mall. - Clues were given to the "Waldo" locations through scripture references, word scrambles, etc. - The first 3 teams to find 14 "Waldo(s)" won a prize.
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PREPARATION
1. Choose a location: local mall, or shopping plaza.
2. Choose 14 specific "Waldo" hidding places within the mall: for example - retail stores, restaurants, movie theater, hair salons, candy store, children's play area. * It is a good idea to get the okay from management/security before the night of activity. Our leaders got permission - and had it in writing, just in case of any concerns from employees and patrons.
3. Create a list of clues that will lead youth to each of the 14 locations. Use scripture references, word scrambles, riddles, etc.  CLUE IDEAS FOUND HERE
4. Recruit adult members of the Ward to serve as "Waldo's" and have them position themselves in the mall trying their best to "blend in" with other shoppers. Some of them may choose to simply play the part of window shopper, client waiting for a haircut, employee stocking the shelves, mother looking at books with her children or... they may choose to really get into character. Have you ever seen the movie Master of Disguise? This is where imagination and fun come into play! Here are some of the ideas I've heard of so far: Rocker dude. Homeless man with 'will work for food' sign. Grandma in a wheelchair. Hippie couple. Restaurant Mascot. Blind man with seeing eye dog.
5. Print out tickets to give to each "Waldo". They will give each team a ticket, but only when approached and asked, "ARE YOU WALDO?"
6. Invite members of the ward to bring their families to the mall on the night of your activity, just to throw the youth of "Waldo's" trail. They'll be asking all the people they recognize, "ARE YOU WALDO?" When they are told "no" it may lead to a little frustration and confusion - but there's nothing wrong with a bit of a challange, is there? :)
7. Put together a small packet for each team. Include the following: list of 14 clues, cell number of leader in charge, letter from mall management giving permission to hold activity on premises.
8. Make sure you have enough scarfs for the leaders of each team. We had tan bandanas with a "Waldo" iron-on placed in one corner of the scarf. I think it would be fun to have a red and white striped scarf, t-shirt, or bag (possibly holding the scriptures) - just to go along with the "Where's Waldo?" theme.
9. ON THE NIGHT OF ACTIVITY - make sure all your "Waldo(s)" are in place and have been given instructions and tickets to hand out.
NOW LET'S PLAY "WHERE'S WALDO?"
6:30 pm We met up at the church where instructions were given. The youth were reminded that they are to be on their best behavior and be examples of good LDS youth. The YM and YW were divided into teams. 1 leader to every 4 youth. Make sure each team has a cell phone. *Each team was given a set of scriptures, list of clues, pen, and to each leader a "Waldo Scarf". 7:00 - 8:00 pm We arrived at River Park and the "Search for the Waldo(s)" was on! As soon as each team found 14 tickets they were to call the leader in charge of activity (her number was included in the team packet). The first 3 teams to call in and make it back to the church with all their tickets won. 8:15 pm Prizes were given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Everybody received ice cream!
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The youth love this activity, so we've done it a few times since we've lived in the area.  We have since changed wards, but our last Bishop went all out in disguising himself.  Fake goatee, fake tattoos, he even bought new jeans, tee, and shoes.  He not only fooled the youth, he had all of the leaders questioning if he was one of our Waldos or not. 

11 comments:

  1. Do you have the scripture references or clues used for this? I'd love to get a copy if so. Thanks!
    Beth
    bethanycr(at)gmail(dot!)com

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  2. Bethany, unfortunately I do not have the scripture references and clues. But, I will do some research (make some calls) and see what I can do for you. :)

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  3. We are going to do this activity as a youth group next month and I would love any scripture/clue ideas that you can track down as well. Thank you so much!!! love this idea and the youth are super excited as well.

    beth
    beth.bruce@brucefamily.org

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  4. Beth,
    I do not have a copy of the original scripture references and clues used. One of readers was good enough to share the clues they put together for their Where's Waldo activity though. I have it posted under YOUshare. (I also emailed the link to you.)
    Terri

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  5. Hi Terri,
    Would you mind sending me those clues as well? Thanks so much!
    amyc@livingstones.ab.ca
    Blessings!

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  6. We are doing this activity next week. Could you send me the clues also?

    Thank you so much!

    leslie@bogmail.net

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  7. Where do i find the YOUshare link to get me the scriptures and clues for the Where's Waldo activity. I would love to have those as well please. My email is comorrfun@gmai..com. Thanks a bunch!

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  8. I would love the scripture & clues link. We are doing this activity in a couple of weeks. I'd like to not reinvent the wheel if I don't have to. Thanks! My email is: tbladh@verizon.net

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  9. I did this activity probably 8 years ago when I was in Beehives & it was a huge success. I'm back in YW & my Laurels remember their sisters talking about what a blast it was, so it so we're doing it again in May. It would be fun to put a fresh spin on this activity w/ new clues & I'd love to use the scriptures too. Would you mind sharing that with me? Thank you!
    Lynda@rrenviro.com

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  10. :) Here's a link to a few clue ideas for Where's Waldo:

    http://www.goforwardwithfaith.blogspot.com/2012/02/clue-ideas-for-wheres-waldo.html

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  11. These are the clues I came up with:

    CLUES

    1. Mosiah 4:27- "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." SPRINT

    2. Rhymes with DNC - GNC

    3. In For the Strength of Youth pamphlet it reads, "You should not date until you are at least 16 years old." 16 Sierra Vista Cinemas

    4. The members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are prophets, seers, and revelators. - Sears

    5. Isaiah 3:24 - "And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty." - Aromas and Perfumes

    6. We are to never use the Lord's name in vain - OMG Nails & Spa

    7. Because this prophet would not stop praying, he was cast into a den of lions - Daniel's Jewelers

    8. 3 Nephi 11:14- "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the _____ in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world. - Cover Nails

    9. Ye are the light of the world, NEVER let that light Fade - Fade shop

    10. The world knows of him as their conscience and we know of him as the Holy Ghost. - Cricket Communications

    11. Particularly promising investigators are termed ‘golden’ by missionaries. - Golden Coast Gallery

    12. Manna is sometimes referred to as "bread of angels." - Panera Bread

    13. Matthew 5:41 - "And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain." - famous footwear

    14. 1 Ne. 8:26–27 - “And I … beheld … a great and spacious building; … And it was filled with people, both old and young, … and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who … were partaking of the fruit.” They looked to be having a good time, but don’t mistake telestial pleasure for celestial happiness and joy. - Good Times Cafe




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