Treasure Hunt - Babies
Babies love peek-a-boo and hide and seek. This version will encourage all types of movement as well as lots of fun! Join in the fun and watch the faces light up with surprise.
Set up
Hide toys and other interesting objects under a blanket in an open space. Place babies on the floor near the blanket.
How to play
Step 1
- Lift the blanket up and show the baby the hiding objects. Then quickly put the blanket back down again to hide them.
- Repeat this a number of times to build excitement saying things like "where have the toys gone?" and "oh no the toys have all gone missing!"
Step 2
- Encourage the baby to move (reach, grasp, roll or crawl) to find what is under the blanket
- Do this by you demonstrating first and joining in by crawling along with them
- Educator may find a teddy, and show the baby, celebrating the ‘treasure’ find
Step 3
- Encourage baby to do the same
Variations
Make it easier
- Have toys within arms reach under the blanket
Make it harder
- Have blanket further away, so children must crawl or walk to the blanket
- Have obstacles on the way to the blanket such as pillows or stepping stones
Activity information
Age: 0-12 months, 1-2 years
Participants: 1
+
Equipment: Plush teddy or toy, Blanket
Duration: 5 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Physical literacy tips
- Hide toys you know the babies enjoy playing with
- Join in the hunt!
- Celebrate when baby moves and grasps a toy
