- The best hiding spots are visible enough to find but not obvious—a book spine sticking out works; a clue buried under a pile of books doesn’t
- Avoid tiny spaces where small hands can’t fit, anything that could trap fingers, and locations a child could fall from or get stuck behind
- Test every hiding spot from a child’s eye level and reach first—what looks accessible to an adult often isn’t for a 5-year-old
- Mix vertical and horizontal spots: high shelf, low cupboard, mid-height drawer, ground level. Variety keeps kids moving and engaged
- Never hide things in places that could be closed suddenly (car boot, washing machine door) or that are genuinely unsafe (electrical sockets, toxic cleaning supplies)
Why Hiding Spots Matter as Much as Clues
A brilliant clue that points to a terrible hiding spot ruins the whole hunt. After hosting dozens of treasure hunts in my house and garden, I’ve learned this: the hiding spot has to work on three levels. First, it has to be findable—kids should be able to locate it from a reasonably clear clue in under five minutes. Second, it has to be safe—no trapped fingers, no climbing onto unsteady furniture, nothing that locks shut. Third, it has to feel special when they find it—a clue tucked into a book on a shelf feels like a discovery; a clue sitting on top of the sofa is just… there.
This guide maps out the hiding spots that actually work, the ones that are dangerous to avoid, and how to match spots to different ages.
Indoor Hiding Spots That Work
Bookshelves (Ages 5+)
Tuck a clue card between books on a shelf, or mark a specific book spine. Leave part of the card poking out so kids know to look closer. Works for all ages but avoid the highest shelves for younger kids.
Lampshades (Ages 5+)
Rest a card against the inside of a lampshade (when it’s off). Kids have to think vertically, and it feels clever to find something tucked above their heads.
Under Cushions (Ages 5+)
Slip a clue under a sofa cushion or armchair cushion. Make sure there’s enough gap for small fingers. Avoid wedging it so tight it gets forgotten.
Kitchen Cupboards (Ages 5+)
Tape a clue to the inside of a cupboard door at child height. Paint tins, cereal boxes, or the underside of a shelf work. Make sure the cupboard opens easily and nothing heavy is on top.
Behind Pictures or Mirrors (Ages 5+)
Hang a picture or mirror, then hide a clue card behind it. Kids have to think about what’s on the wall, not just what they see.
Pencil Cases or Tins (Ages 5+)
Pop a clue inside a pencil case, biscuit tin, or shoe box left visibly on a shelf. Kids expect to look inside.
Under Stairs (Ages 4+)
If you have access under the stairs (staircase with a gap beneath), it’s a brilliant hiding spot. Tape a clue to the underside or tuck it in a low corner. Test for safety first—no nails or splinters.
Inside Pillowcase (Ages 5+)
Hide a clue inside a decorative pillowcase on a bed or sofa. Kids will check soft furnishings after finding one here.
Picture Frame (Ages 5+)
Slip a clue behind the backing or between the frame and glass. Takes a moment to extract, which adds to the treasure-hunt feeling.
Coat Pockets (Ages 4+)
Hide a clue in a coat or jacket pocket hanging in the hallway. Simple, accessible, and kids love checking pockets.
Bag or Backpack (Ages 5+)
Hide a clue inside a handbag, rucksack, or gym bag left visibly in a room. Kids search inside without worrying about damaging anything.
Outdoor Hiding Spots That Work
Under Plant Pots (Ages 4+)
Hide a clue underneath a plant pot. Make sure the pot isn’t so heavy small kids can’t lift it, or give them permission to ask for help.
Tied to a Tree Branch (Ages 5+)
Tie or tape a clue to a low tree branch. Use waterproof tape or a zip tie. Avoid anything that damages the tree.
Inside a Letterbox (Ages 5+)
If you have a garden letterbox, hide a clue inside. Waterproof it first in a plastic sleeve.
Under a Rock or Brick (Ages 4+)
Hide a clue under a decorative rock or brick in the garden. Make sure it’s not so heavy it’s dangerous to lift.
Inside a Watering Can (Ages 4+)
Roll up a clue and slip it into a watering can’s spout or handle. Easy to find and fun to extract.
Taped to the Garden Shed (Ages 5+)
Use waterproof tape to attach a clue to the outside of a shed at child height. The shed is usually a major destination anyway.
Under Garden Furniture (Ages 5+)
Tape a clue underneath a garden bench, picnic table, or chair. Kids have to crouch or bend to find it—adds to the adventure.
In a Weatherproof Box (Ages 5+)
Place a small decorative box (sealed, waterproof) on a shelf or post in the garden. Hide the clue inside. Makes it feel like treasure.
Attached to a Fence Post (Ages 5+)
Use waterproof tape to stick a clue to a fence post. Choose a post at child height and make sure there are no splinters or sharp edges.
Hiding Spots by Age Group
Ages 4–5
Keep spots visible and at or below eye level. Avoid anything that requires climbing, squeezing into tight spaces, or lifting heavy items. Best spots: under stairs, coat pockets, under plant pots, cushions, inside visible bags.
Ages 6–7
Kids can reach higher shelves and handle slightly trickier searches. Add variety: pictures to move aside, cupboards to open, spots that require some thinking. Start introducing outdoor spots.
Ages 8–9
Can access higher locations, handle outdoor hunts, and look “behind” things. Start hiding clues behind pictures, inside lampshades, or taped underneath things.
Ages 10+
Can search more creatively and handle locations that require lateral thinking. Consider outdoor spots that need a bit of problem-solving, or spots that are less obvious but entirely safe.
Hiding Spots to Absolutely Avoid
- Inside or under appliances (fridge, washing machine, oven): Risk of the door closing on fingers or child getting trapped.
- High shelves kids have to climb to reach: Fall risk. Never ask kids to climb unstable furniture.
- Tiny spaces where hands can get wedged: Between books too tightly, under a gap that narrows, inside a broken toy with sharp edges.
- Near electrical sockets or outlets: Safety hazard.
- Inside or near cleaning products, pesticides, or anything toxic: Absolute no-go.
- Inside a toilet tank or bidet: Yuck factor aside, it’s unsanitary.
- On top of unstable stacks of items: If a kid pulls a clue and the stack collapses, injury risk.
- Inside a locked box without a readily available key: Frustration city.
- Anywhere hot (near radiators, stoves, fire): Kids can burn themselves or the clue card can catch fire.
- Behind heavy furniture that could topple: Never.
Hannah’s Tested Winners (The Spots I Use Every Time)
The Book Between Books Spot: Tuck a clue between two books on a shelf, with just the edge poking out. Every age group checks bookshelves, it’s safe, and feels like a genuine discovery.
The Picture Frame Spot: Hide a clue behind a family photo on the wall. It’s at a different height than most other spots, and kids love moving pictures aside to look behind them.
The Lampshade Spot: Place a rolled clue inside a lampshade (when it’s off). Works indoors and feels magical—kids rarely think to look up.
The Coat Pocket Spot: Coat pockets are obvious enough to find but kids still get excited about checking them. Quick to set up, easy to find.
The Under-Stairs Spot: If you have it, it’s treasure-hunt gold. Feels like a secret hiding place, it’s safe if checked first, and kids remember finding something there.
The Plant Pot Spot: Outdoor winner. Every garden has plant pots, kids know they might hold something, and lifting a pot to find a treasure feels brilliant.
The Fence Post Spot: Waterproof tape, a fence post at child height, done. Simple, outdoor, and very findable with a decent clue.
Common mistakes (and easy fixes)
- Spot is too well hidden: Kids search for 20 minutes, give up, feel defeated. “Too well hidden” is just “too frustrating.” Make clues findable within 2–5 minutes.
- Spot requires an adult’s help: “You’ll need Mum to unlock this” or “Dad has to move the bookcase” kills independence. Let kids find things themselves.
- Multiple hiding spots in one location: If kids find the main prize before clue 5, the hunt ends early. Space clues out so one finding doesn’t reveal the rest.
- Forgetting to test the spot: What looks findable to you might be unreachable for a 6-year-old. Always test from their eye level first.
- Weather damage (outdoor hunts): Unprotected clues get rained on, blown away, or eaten by garden creatures. Laminate outdoor clues or use sealed boxes.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the most failsafe hiding spot for young kids (4–5)?
Can I reuse the same hiding spots in multiple hunts?
How do I hide things in a small house or flat?
What if a hiding spot accidentally reveals other prizes?
Are outdoor spots always safer than indoor ones?
Can I hide things inside toys or game boxes?
Related guides you might find useful
How to Plan a Treasure Hunt for Kids · How to Write Treasure Hunt Clues · Treasure Hunt Clues for the Garden
The Golden Rule of Hiding Spots
The best hiding spot is one where a child can find the treasure without needing an adult, without getting hurt, and with genuine excitement when they spot it. You don’t need fancy props or elaborate schemes. A clue tucked between books on a shelf, a note inside a coat pocket, or a card under a plant pot are treasures every time.
Test your spots. Check them from a child’s eye level. And if you’re ever unsure whether a hiding place is safe, find a different one. The hunt is meant to be fun, not stressful—for kids or parents.
Trusted sources: Choose hiding spots that avoid home hazards — see RoSPA’s home safety advice for under-5s.
Written and play-tested by Hannah—a Yorkshire mum of two and former primary-school teaching assistant. Last reviewed June 2026.
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Hannah is the mum behind Riddlelicious — a former primary-school teaching assistant who tests every printable hunt on her own two before it reaches the shop.
