Squirrel's Hidden Snacks
Turn your walk into a little adventure by searching for snacks hidden by a very forgetful squirrel.
You'll need
- A small amount of animal-appropriate food (unsalted, unflavored)
- A little bag or container for carrying it
About This Activity
A simple outdoor treasure hunt with a little story behind it.
Ask your child to close their eyes and count to 20 while you hide small amounts of popcorn, nuts, or seeds in several nearby spots. Then tell them that a squirrel was collecting food for later — but forgot where all the hiding places were!
Now your child has an important mission: find every hidden snack and help the squirrel collect its food again.
Once everything has been found, gather the snacks together and leave them in one appropriate spot for the animals rather than taking them home.
It turns an ordinary walk into a tiny adventure filled with searching, counting, imagination, and time together.
How to Play
Follow these simple steps for a connected, educational playtime.
Find Your Spot
Choose a small, safe outdoor area where your child can explore while staying within sight.
Count to 20
Ask your child to close their eyes and slowly count to 20 while you hide the "snacks."
Create 5–6 Hiding Places
Hide small amounts in several nearby spots. Keep them challenging enough to be interesting, but not so difficult that the search becomes frustrating.
Tell the Story
Now introduce the mission: "A little squirrel was hiding her snacks for later... but she forgot where she put them. Can you help her find all her hiding places?"
Start the Search
Let your child explore and find the hidden spots. You can use "warmer" and "colder" hints if they need some help.
Keep Count
Each time they discover a hiding place, count it together. "That's three! How many are still missing?" This adds a little natural math without turning the game into a lesson.
Help the Squirrel
Once all the hiding places have been found, bring everything back together. If feeding wildlife is appropriate and permitted where you are, leave suitable food in an appropriate place. Otherwise, collect everything you brought and take it with you.
Switch Roles
If your child wants another round, let them hide the objects while you count to 20. Now you're the squirrel who has forgotten where everything is.
Why I Love This
I love this game because it can turn a completely ordinary walk into a little adventure.
There's searching, counting, movement, and problem-solving, but none of it feels like an educational activity. My child is simply helping a forgetful squirrel find her missing snacks.
I also love how much imagination such a simple story adds. A tree is suddenly part of a treasure hunt, a few hiding places become a mission, and we have something to discover together instead of simply walking from one place to another.
And there's a sweet opportunity to talk about animals, nature, and caring for the world around us.
For me, it's another example of what I love most about simple activities: a little learning, a little imagination, and a lot of connection — without needing to plan something complicated.
