Hiddlewink

Toddlers and pre-readers

A treasure hunt before they can read.

Children who can’t read yet can still follow a trail. Show a picture of the next spot, read one line aloud, and let them find it. Here are pictures and lines for spots in most homes.

Make a picture hunt

Picture clues are part of Pro. The free version makes rhyming or riddle hunts.

Picture clues to read aloud

Each picture shows the next hiding spot. Read the line, then let them go and look.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Cuddle time! Find your soft, furry friend and peek under its arm.

Answer
Teddy or soft toyHide the next clue: tucked under a teddy's arm.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Hum, hum! Open the chilly door. Is it cold inside?

Answer
FridgeHide the next clue: under a magnet on the fridge door, or on a low shelf inside.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Bounce, bounce! Lift up a soft, puffy square on the big comfy seat.

Answer
Sofa cushionHide the next clue: under a cushion on the sofa.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Splish, splash! Find the big tub where you get clean.

Answer
BathtubHide the next clue: in the (dry!) bathtub.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Stomp, stomp! Peek inside the things you wear on your feet to go outside.

Answer
ShoesHide the next clue: inside a shoe by the door.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Rattle, rattle! Look on top in the big box of playthings.

Answer
Toy boxHide the next clue: on top of the toys in the toy box.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Yawn! Find the soft, squishy thing where you rest your sleepy head.

Answer
PillowHide the next clue: under or inside a pillowcase.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Shh! Find the shelf full of stories. One has a paper sticking out!

Answer
BookshelfHide the next clue: sticking out of a book on the shelf.

Picture clue · ages 1 to 5, read aloud

Click! Look on the thing you turn to open a door.

Answer
Door handleHide the next clue: tied or taped to a door handle.

Tips for little hunters

  • Three clues is enough for ages 1 and 2. Five for ages 3 to 5.
  • Hide everything low, at their eye height, and in plain sight. Peeking out is fine.
  • Stay in one or two rooms. Walk along with them.
  • Make the treasure something they can hold straight away: a small toy, a sticker sheet, a snack.
  • Celebrate every clue found, not just the last one.
  • Keep small objects away from under-threes, and skip high or wobbly spots.

Let Hiddlewink write the whole hunt

Pick the ages, the rooms and a theme. Hiddlewink puts the clues in order for your home, with a cheat sheet for the hider. Print the cards, or play from your phone.

Make a picture hunt

Picture clues are part of Pro. The free version makes rhyming or riddle hunts.

Questions

What age can toddlers do a treasure hunt?

From around 18 months to 2 years, with a grown-up walking along and very easy spots. By 3 most children can follow a short picture trail.

How do picture clues work?

Each card shows a drawing of the next hiding spot, such as the fridge or the teddy. The child spots it, finds the next card there, and so on.

Can older siblings join?

Yes. Give them the job of reading the line aloud, or make mixed cards with a picture and a rhyme.

Is Hiddlewink free?

The free version makes a 5-clue hunt with rhyming clues or riddles in the Treasure Map or Pirates theme. Pro (USD 4.99, one payment) adds picture clues, secret codes, longer hunts and every theme, including Christmas Elves and the Present Hunt.

More guides

See all treasure hunt guides