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Imagine · Wild and Tumble activity

Garden treasure map

X marks the spot! Draw a simple map of your garden or room, then follow it to hidden treasure.

  • 20 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Indoors or out
  • Any season

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to draw · 12 min to hunt · 3 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • Paper and crayons
  • A small treasure, like a shiny conker, a toy or a snack

Let's begin

Four simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Together

    Draw a simple map together: the house, the tree, the shed, the gate.

  2. Grown-up job

    An adult hides the treasure and marks it with a big X.

  3. Little one leads

    Your child follows the map to find it.

  4. Swap! Now they hide it and draw the X.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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