Thinkabara

🧸 Preschool treasure hunt

Google Classroom

A gentle treasure hunt for ages 3 to 6. The teacher reads each clue, the children guess the spot together and walk there as a group. Sticking a small picture of the place next to each clue helps a lot.

Before you start

  • Print the clues, fold each one, and hide it in the spot the clue before it points to. Hand the first clue to the kids to start.
  • Print each clue with a drawing or photo of the spot, so even non-readers can work it out.
  • Go as one group with the teacher, with no competition: everyone finds every clue together.

The clues (cut along the dashed lines)

  1. Clue 1
    The baby doll's sleeping, tucked in her pram, Look by the dolls, as quiet as a lamb!
  2. Clue 2
    We sit on the rug in a circle and sing, Lift up a corner to find the next thing!
  3. Clue 3
    One block, two blocks, a tower so tall, Look in the block corner, over by the wall!
  4. Clue 4
    Turn on the tap, wash your hands, splish-splash, Look by the sink and you'll find it in a flash!
  5. Clue 5
    Books full of pictures of kittens and pups, Look in the book corner, then hold the clue up!
  6. Clue 6
    Here hang the backpacks of every kid, Look underneath, that's where it's hid!
  7. Clue 7
    Out in the yard there's soft yellow sand, Dig in the sandbox, use just one hand!
  8. Clue 8
    Who reads us a story every day? Look under that chair, hip hip hooray!
Show the answers (for the grown-up)
  1. In the dolls' corner
  2. Under the corner of the circle-time rug
  3. In the block corner
  4. By the sink
  5. In the book corner
  6. Under the backpack hooks
  7. In the sandbox in the yard
  8. Under the teacher's chair

Answer key (for the grown-up)

  1. In the dolls' corner
  2. Under the corner of the circle-time rug
  3. In the block corner
  4. By the sink
  5. In the book corner
  6. Under the backpack hooks
  7. In the sandbox in the yard
  8. Under the teacher's chair

The treasure

A sticker for every child, bubbles for the whole group, or a new book for the reading corner.

Questions and answers

Can 3-year-olds do a treasure hunt?

Yes, as long as an adult reads the clues and the group moves together. Picture clues and short distances keep it fun rather than frustrating.

How do I keep it calm with a big group?

Let one child at a time pick up each clue, and take turns guessing the answer before everyone walks to the spot together.

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