Hiding spots
Where to hide the clues, room by room.
The trick is to hide each clue where children can find it, but not so it is the first thing they see. Here are 61 spots that most homes and gardens have, with exactly where to tuck the paper.
Kitchen
- FridgeUnder a magnet on the fridge door, or on a low shelf inside.
- Fruit bowlUnder the fruit in the fruit bowl.
- Pots and pans cupboardInside a saucepan in the cupboard.
- Cereal boxInside the cereal box, on top of the cereal.
- Kitchen or dining tableTaped under the table top.
- Recycling binOn top of the recycling (in a clean bag if you like).
- Cups and mugsInside a cup or mug in the cupboard.
- Egg boxIn the egg box (take the eggs out first, or tuck it under the lid).
Living room
- Sofa cushionUnder a cushion on the sofa.
- TVNext to or just behind the TV (not touching cables).
- BookshelfSticking out of a book on the shelf.
- Rug or matUnder the corner of the rug.
- HouseplantTucked by the pot of a houseplant.
- ClockUnder or behind a clock.
- CurtainsPinned or tucked behind a curtain.
- Window sillOn a window sill (inside).
- ChairOn or under the seat of a chair.
- Board gamesInside the lid of a board game box.
- Behind the sofaIn the gap behind the sofa (pull it out a little first).
- Christmas treeTucked into the low branches, away from the lights and glass baubles.
- Toy boxOn top of the toys in the toy box.
Bedroom
- PillowUnder or inside a pillowcase.
- Under the bedJust under the edge of a bed, where a hand can reach.
- Wardrobe or closetIn a coat or on a shelf in the wardrobe/closet.
- Sock drawerInside a sock in the sock drawer.
- Teddy or soft toyTucked under a teddy's arm.
- SlippersInside a slipper.
- School bag or backpackIn the front pocket of a school bag.
- DeskOn or in a desk drawer.
- Christmas stockingInside a hanging Christmas stocking.
Bathroom & laundry
- BathtubIn the (dry!) bathtub.
- Toothbrush cupNext to the toothbrushes.
- TowelFolded inside a hanging towel.
- Toilet rollRolled into the toilet roll (or tucked in the spare rolls).
- MirrorTaped to the corner of a mirror.
- Laundry basketOn top of the clothes in the laundry basket.
- Washing machineTaped to the door of the washing machine, or on top of it (never inside).
Hall & front door
- DoormatUnder the doormat.
- ShoesInside a shoe by the door.
- Coat pocketIn the pocket of a hanging coat.
- UmbrellaInside a closed umbrella (just poking out).
- StairsOn a low step of the stairs.
- Door handleTied or taped to a door handle.
Garden, yard or park
- TreeAt the foot of a tree, or tied to a low branch.
- FlowerpotUnder or beside a flowerpot.
- Bench or garden chairUnder the seat of a bench or garden chair.
- SwingTaped to the seat or rope of a swing.
- SlideAt the bottom of the slide.
- TrampolineOn or under the edge of the trampoline.
- Sandpit or sandboxHalf-buried in the sand.
- Bike or scooterIn the basket or taped to the handlebars.
- Watering canInside the (empty) watering can.
- Shed or garage doorOn the handle of the shed or garage door.
- Gate or fenceTucked into the gate or fence.
- Mailbox or letterboxIn the mailbox or poked through the letterbox (only if it is well away from the road).
- Garden hoseTucked into the coiled garden hose.
- Big stone or rockUnder a big stone.
- Bush or hedgeTucked into a bush (low down, no thorns).
- Washing linePegged to the washing line.
- BucketInside a bucket or plant tub.
- WheelbarrowIn the wheelbarrow.
Best places for the treasure itself
The treasure needs more room than a clue. These spots hold a box or a bag.
- Pots and pans cupboardInside a saucepan in the cupboard.
- Sofa cushionUnder a cushion on the sofa.
- Toy boxOn top of the toys in the toy box.
- Under the bedJust under the edge of a bed, where a hand can reach.
- Wardrobe or closetIn a coat or on a shelf in the wardrobe/closet.
- BathtubIn the (dry!) bathtub.
- Laundry basketOn top of the clothes in the laundry basket.
- TreeAt the foot of a tree, or tied to a low branch.
- Shed or garage doorOn the handle of the shed or garage door.
- Bush or hedgeTucked into a bush (low down, no thorns).
Safe hiding
- Never near cables, sockets, heaters or the oven.
- Nothing high enough to need climbing.
- Not inside the washing machine drum if anyone might start it. Tape the clue to the door instead.
- Outdoors, stay away from ponds, roads and the bins.
- Tell children which rooms are off limits before you start.
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.
Tick your spots and make a huntFree, no sign-up.
Questions
What are good hiding places for a treasure hunt?
Places children know but don’t look at every day: under a sofa cushion, inside a slipper, behind the clock, under the doormat, in the cereal box or the watering can.
How hard should the hiding spots be?
For under-fives, in plain sight or just peeking out. For older children, tucked inside or underneath. The clue should do the hard work, not the hiding.
How do I remember where I hid the clues?
Write a numbered list as you go. Hiddlewink prints a cheat sheet with every spot in order.
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.