What You Need

• Brown paper
• Index cards
• Glue
• Markers
• “Treasure” (favorite snack, small toy, old jewelry)

How to Do this Activity

First, without your child watching, hide the “treasure” somewhere in your house. Then, draw pictures of the places or rooms you want him to look. In each spot, leave a picture clue that directs him to the next location. You can get creative — draw picture clues for the mailbox, basement, swing set, fridge, and more. If your child is able to decode sounds, you can also add a word to the clue as a hint and help him sound it out. If you aren’t feeling artistic, cut pictures out of magazines instead. You can even glue the drawn or cut-out pictures to brown paper to make them look like treasure maps. If you’re feeling extra creative, burn the edges of the brown paper or soak it in tea to make it look older and more authentic.

What Your Child Learns

Through this activity, children learn to make observations, follow directions, and come to logical conclusions. Your child will enjoy the excitement of persisting through each new clue to find the treasure.