Max and the Stolen Spark

Chief Skyline Guardian Max

A shadowy thief has stolen the Pier's brightest spark, and tonight's fireworks could fizzle before they ever light the lake. Max is the only hero sharp enough to spot the clues hidden across Navy Pier and save the show before the sky goes dark. Chief Skyline Guardian Max, track the spark, decode the trail, and restore the fireworks before the final blast.

0 / 40 pts

0 of 12 challenges completed

Bonus Find or Do

Quick wins for easy checkoffs before the main story challenges. Each one is worth 1 point.

Spark Hunt

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Clue Chase

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Sky Rescue

1.
Challenge 1 of 12: Find the fountain at Polk Bros Park and count how many separate jets are spraying right now. If the water is off, count the number of fountain openings you can see instead.The fountain can turn into a winter ice rink, so one spot can change costumes with the seasons.
2.
Challenge 2 of 12: Compare the Centennial Wheel to the buildings on the skyline and decide which looks taller from where you stand. Point to the thing that makes the Wheel feel most like a superhero machine.The Centennial Wheel rises to nearly 200 feet and gives 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.
3.
Challenge 3 of 12: Find the Pier Park ride that spins like a classic carnival and describe what makes it feel more heroic: the speed, the colors, or the shape. Then pick the one detail that looks the most like a sidekick waiting to jump into action.Pier Park includes seasonal rides like the carousel, tea cups, and Light Tower Ride when weather allows.
4.
Challenge 4 of 12: Before you go in, predict which Chicago view will surprise you most: water, buildings, or bridges. Then check whether the ride proves your prediction right.Flyover is designed to surround you with motion, sound, and giant views of Chicago.
5.
Challenge 5 of 12: Stand where you can see Lake Michigan and watch the water for 20 seconds. Count how many different patterns you notice on the surface, like ripples, sparkles, or boat wakes.Wind on Lake Michigan can make the surface look completely different in just a few seconds.
6.
Challenge 6 of 12: Find the busiest food spot and look for a clue that suggests lots of different families stop here to refuel. Pick one sign, menu, or smell that feels like the hero's power-up station.Navy Pier has a food court plus sit-down restaurants, so the Pier can feed a whole crowd at once.
7.
Challenge 7 of 12: Find the marina area and compare the boats there to the giant Wheel behind you. Which one looks ready for a water mission, and which one looks ready for a sky mission?The marina turns Navy Pier into both a waterfront stop and a launch point for lake adventures.
8.
Challenge 8 of 12: Walk along the South Dock promenade and choose a spot where you can freeze like a superhero protecting the Pier. Hold the pose for five seconds while you count how many directions you can see people moving.The South Dock promenade was part of Navy Pier's major makeover and helps connect the city with the lake.
9.
Challenge 9 of 12: Find three things across the whole Pier that sparkle, shine, or reflect light. Count them carefully, then choose the one that looks most like it could hide a stolen firework spark.Shiny surfaces help your eyes notice motion and light faster than plain ones.
10.
Challenge 10 of 12: Find two different spots where Max could stand to feel like a real superhero lookout. Compare which one gives the bigger view of both the skyline and the water.Navy Pier stretches more than 3,000 feet into Lake Michigan, so the view changes as you move.
11.
Challenge 11 of 12: Find the best place to watch fireworks and name the one thing the thief tried to steal from the night sky. Then point to the exact place where the first burst should explode.Navy Pier's fireworks are a free, award-winning show over the lake.
12.
Challenge 12 of 12: Bring the whole mission together by choosing the two clues that mattered most from earlier challenges and use them to defeat the shadowy thief. Tell the Pier how Max saved the spark and made the sky safe for the fireworks again.The fireworks show is choreographed to music, so the sky can feel like it is dancing.

Bonus Find or Do

Centennial Wheel
Polk Bros Park
Flyover entrance
Marina boats
Food court
Lakefront benches
Chicago skyline
South Dock
Tiny map sign
Wheel selfie
Pose like a hero
Family skyline photo
Superhero stance pic
Spot a boat flag
Point at the water

Chief Skyline Guardian Max, you tracked the stolen spark across Navy Pier and solved the mystery before the fireworks went dark. Max, you restored the sky mission, uncovered the clues, and saved the night's final blast.

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https://familyscavengerhunt.com//samplehunts/navy-pier

Always follow venue rules, stay with your group, and skip any challenge that doesn't feel safe or appropriate.