Teams. Brains. Prizes.

First-Ever NYC High-School Puzzle Hunt

Hunt #1 completed on May 23, 2026!

Hunt #2 coming this fall…

Follow Our instagram: @nycpuzzlehunt

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Follow Our instagram: @nycpuzzlehunt ~~

Sign up for updates on our next hunt!

ABOUT PUZZLE HUNT 2026

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ABOUT PUZZLE HUNT 2026 *

NYC’s first-ever day-long puzzle hunt for high school students! If you love riddles, puzzles, board games, and competition, this is for you.

Race to crack codes, team up with new friends or classmates, and compete against students from other schools to solve challenging enigmas and win prizes.

 Have questions?

  • It’s a citywide competition for high school students where teams solve a series of connected puzzles, riddles, and logic challenges. Think of it as a mix between a scavenger hunt, an escape room, and a brain-teaser marathon — all designed to be fun, challenging, and team-based.


  • Any NYC high school student (grades 9-12)! You can form a team with friends, classmates, or members of a math or puzzle club. No prior experience required, perfect for math lovers, riddlers, adventure-seekers.


  • More details and instructions will be sent once you sign up for updates. But generally, (1) Form your team (2-5 students), (2) Register & name your team, (3) practice via Pre-Hunt challenges, (4) On the day: receive your first clue, travel/solve, complete tasks, cross finish line, (5) Awards & celebration.


  • More details and instructions will be sent once you sign up for updates. Generally, each puzzle can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The full hunt is designed to be challenging but flexible so your team can work at your own pace.

  • Puzzles can include codes, riddles, logic problems, word puzzles, math challenges, and creative problem-solving tasks. They’re designed to test teamwork, reasoning, and out-of-the-box thinking — not just memorization.


  • Not at all! While some puzzles might involve numbers or logic, the hunt is meant for anyone who enjoys thinking creatively and solving tricky problems.


  • Hunt #1:

    1st Place Team: $1,000 Academic Achievement Award

    2nd Place Team: $300 Charity Award - donation to a charity of the team’s choice
    —————————————

    Sponsored by Gibgot Willenbacher & Co.

    Community Supporters:

    Collaborative Fund, BEAM, and Snowday.


  • If you have any other questions you can email me at any time! My email is rteramo27@cgps.org

solve this mini-puzzle now

Source: MIT Puzzle Hunt Archives

Why do it?

  • Challenge your brain + apply your math/logical skills

  • Team-based: form a 3-5 student squad from your school

  • Wild race through NYC’s iconic sites (or virtual version)

  • Win prizes + school bragging rights