Warmer, Colder! Hide and Seek

What you need

• Small waterproof toys (not for under 3s), 1 small toy

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Pick a small toy that's big enough not to be a choking risk for little ones (bigger than a toilet paper tube opening for under-3s nearby). Clear any tripping hazards from the play area and agree on which rooms are in bounds.

1. Pick one small toy to be the treasure and show everyone.
2. Practice the magic words: warmer means close, colder means far away.
3. Searchers wait in another room, close their eyes, and count to 20.
4. The hider tucks the toy somewhere low and safe. No climbing spots!
5. Call the searchers back to look. Remind them to walk, not run.
   Ask: Where do you think you should look first?
6. Call 'Warmer!' when they get closer and 'Colder!' when they move away.
7. When the toy is found, cheer and celebrate!
   Ask: Which clue helped you the most?
8. Switch roles so a searcher becomes the new hider, and play again.
9. Invite a friend or grown-up to join! Who can hide the trickiest treasure?
   Ask: Who will you ask to play the next round with you?

Play it again

• Silent signals: clap fast for warmer and slow for colder, with no words.
• Hot and freezing: use only 'Hot!' and 'Freezing!' as your clues.
• Trickier spots: hide the toy fully out of sight, and the hider gives clues in a whisper.