60 min
Invent a Board Game
They design the board, write the rules, and then make you play it.
🗺
Indoor Treasure Hunt
A trail of clues around the house, ending in something small.
Ten minutes of setup buys thirty minutes of genuine excitement, and the clues can be drawn rather than written.
What you need
- paper
- pen
- a small prize
How to do it
- Choose six hiding places around the house.
- Write or draw a clue for each, pointing to the next location.
- Hide the clues in reverse order, ending with a small prize.
- Hand them the first clue and step back.
- If they get stuck, ask a question rather than giving the answer.
Why this is good for them
Each clue requires holding information in mind while moving through space, which is working memory doing real work. For children who are not yet reading, drawn clues give the same benefit without the barrier.
Adapting by age
3 to 5 yearsDraw the clues as simple pictures and use only four hiding places.
9 to 12 yearsMake the clues riddles or simple codes rather than direct directions.
Keep it safe
Keep hiding places away from stairs, windows and anything they would need to climb to reach.
Cleanup tip
Collect the clues as you go so there is nothing left to tidy.
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