Ages 4-7 · child and adult

A treasure map without reading

Three pictures can lead to treasure. Your child makes a map and the adult tries following it.

Set your own pace. Preparation depends on your materials.

What to gather

Keeping it safe Stay together on a familiar route. No road crossings, climbing, hiding near water or collecting other people's belongings.

Your child points out the landmarks and leads the adult. The adult can do all the drawing.

Your child adds direction arrows. If something is unclear, the adult explains what is missing and the child suggests a correction.

Choose three clear landmarks along a short route together. The adult sets a safe boundary and places the treasure within easy reach.
Your child draws the landmarks or describes them for the adult to draw. Join them in the order you want to visit.
Follow the map together. Stop at an unclear picture and improve one detail. You can try the map again.

TATAAA

Swap roles: the child hides a large picture card in an agreed spot and draws a route. Follow the map together and ask about unclear symbols.

Do two landmarks look alike? Add a colour or a distinctive detail. The map does not have to be accurate or beautifully drawn.

Find the treasure or improve one picture. A second version of the map counts as a completed mission.

If your child does not want to continue, it is fine to stop. You can safely swap roles or adapt the rules.

A map uses shared symbols. In this game you discover which pictures help another person recognise a place.

Build a cardboard periscope with two shatterproof mirrors. Use it to find a secret symbol behind a box.

Turn a familiar walk into a search for three visible clues. Your child helps choose the next step.