Thinking & solving

Two-step treasure

Follow a tiny clue sequence to find a familiar object.

8 minutes

What you'll need

Favourite toy

Before you start

Can manipulate large household objects

Best fit: indoors · medium energy · low caregiver effort · low mess

How to play

  1. Hide the toy in an easy place.
  2. Give one location clue with a gesture.
  3. Celebrate the search rather than speed.
Make it easier

Keep the hiding place partly visible.

Standard

Follow a tiny clue sequence to find a familiar object.

Extend it

Give two linked clues or let your child hide it for you.

What you might notice

Use of clues, memory and flexible searching.

Keep it safe

Hide only an intact under-3 toy in a visible floor-level place while staying with your child. Do not use furniture, containers, stairs or climbing places; stop mouthing or distress and store the toy afterward.

Why it may be useful

This gives your child room to explore while you add just enough help to keep the puzzle interesting.

moderate

Guided-play evidence is stronger in preschool samples; toddler activities should remain simple and child-led.

Jeong et al. (2021) — Parenting interventions to promote early child development in the first three years of life: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek and Golinkoff (2016) — Guided Play: Principles and Practices

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