Treasure Hunt Clues: 20 Indoor Riddles for a Kids' Treasure Hunt on Riddlepedia
Everyday Objects

Treasure Hunt Clues: 20 Indoor Riddles for a Kids’ Treasure Hunt

20 riddles · tap Hint or Answer to reveal

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A treasure hunt turns a rainy afternoon (or a birthday party) into an adventure. Each clue is a riddle that points to a place in your home. Kids solve it, run to that spot, and find the next clue waiting there, until the last one leads to the treasure. All you need is paper, tape and a small prize.

These 20 treasure hunt clues all lead to everyday spots found in most homes: the fridge, the bathtub, the couch, the doormat and more. They’re sorted from easy (for ages 4 to 6, with a grown-up reading aloud) to trickier ones for kids 8 and up. Pick 8 to 12 that match the rooms in your house, and check the setup guide at the end before you hide anything.

Easy Treasure Hunt Clues (Ages 4-6)

I’m big and cold, and I hum all day. I keep the milk and the cheese cool and fresh. Look inside my door to find your next clue!

Hint
It’s in the kitchen, and the light comes on when you open it.
Answer
The fridge (refrigerator)

Fill me up with water and bubbles too. I’m where you splash when it’s bath time for you!

Hint
Rubber ducks float in me.
Answer
The bathtub

At night your sleepy head rests on me. Lift me up, and your next clue you’ll see!

Hint
I’m soft and sit at the top of your bed.
Answer
Your pillow

I’m soft and comfy, and the whole family sits on me to watch a movie. Check under my cushions!

Hint
It’s in the living room, and it’s big enough for three.
Answer
The couch (sofa)

Look at me and you’ll see a kid just like you. Wave hello, and I’ll wave back too!

Hint
I hang on the wall in the bathroom.
Answer
The mirror

Teddies, blocks and cars all live in me. Open my lid, and what will you see?

Hint
It’s where toys go at clean-up time.
Answer
The toy box

I’m full of things that are healthy and sweet: apples and bananas, ready to eat!

Hint
I sit on the kitchen counter or table.
Answer
The fruit bowl

Medium Treasure Hunt Clues (Ages 6-8)

I lie by the front door, flat on the floor. Wipe your feet on me before you come in. What am I?

Hint
I sometimes say “Welcome.”
Answer
The doormat

Dirty clothes go in, clean clothes come out. I spin and swish and slosh about. Your clue is on top of me, not inside!

Hint
I’m usually in the laundry room, bathroom or kitchen.
Answer
The washing machine

Dirty socks and muddy shirts wait in me until laundry day. What am I?

Hint
I’m a basket, but I don’t hold fruit or toys.
Answer
The laundry basket (hamper)

I have lots of shelves, and on them stand stories about dragons, pirates and princes. Look between my books!

Hint
Libraries are full of me.
Answer
The bookshelf

I warm up your leftovers in a minute or two. When I’m done, I beep at you. Look on top of me, but don’t turn me on!

Hint
I’m a kitchen box with a little window and a door that pops open.
Answer
The microwave

I sit by the door, in pairs, waiting to be worn. Look inside one of us before we go for a walk!

Hint
You put me on your feet before you go outside.
Answer
The shoes by the door

In the kitchen I hold forks, knives and spoons, all lined up in rows. Pull me open!

Hint
I’m not a cupboard, and I slide out.
Answer
The cutlery drawer

I live in a pot with soil all around. I drink a little water, but I never make a sound. Look under my pot!

Hint
I’m green and alive, but I’m not a pet.
Answer
The houseplant

Tricky Treasure Hunt Clues (Ages 8+)

I have a face but no eyes, and hands but no fingers. I tick all day and tell you when it’s time for dinner. What am I?

Hint
Look up at the wall.
Answer
The clock

Coats and jackets hang inside me, and boots sometimes hide on my floor. I’m a small room with a door, but nobody sleeps in me. Where am I?

Hint
You open me when you get home on a cold day.
Answer
The coat closet

I have a remote, a screen and lots of channels, but I’m blank until somebody turns me on. Your clue is next to my remote!

Hint
Families watch cartoons and movies on me.
Answer
The TV

I have a shade but no tree, and a bulb that never grows into a flower. Switch me on to read at night. What am I?

Hint
I might sit on a table next to your bed.
Answer
The lamp

Peels, wrappers and crumbs all end up inside me. Your clue is taped to the top of my lid, not inside me!

Hint
Someone takes me out to the curb on garbage day.
Answer
The trash can

How to Set Up the Treasure Hunt

  1. Pick your clues. Choose 8 to 12 clues for a party (about 15 to 20 minutes of play) or all 20 for a long rainy day. Skip any spot your home doesn’t have, and swap a hard clue for an easy one for younger kids.
  2. Decide the order. Write the list of spots in the order kids will visit them, ending at the spot where the treasure is hidden. Mix rooms so kids run back and forth, and keep the fridge or bathtub for the middle, when everyone is excited.
  3. Hide them as a chain. Write each riddle on a card. Hand the first card to the kids. Then put card 2 at the answer to card 1, card 3 at the answer to card 2, and so on. The answer to the last card is where the treasure waits.
  4. Number the cards. A small number in the corner lets kids check they’re on the right track, and lets you find a card that went missing.
  5. Keep it safe. Tape clues on top of or beside appliances, never inside the microwave, oven or washing machine, and keep the hunt out of the stove and anywhere with cleaning products.
  6. Plan the treasure. A small bag of treats, a new book, stickers for every player, or a “golden ticket” for a movie night all work. For a group, make sure everyone gets something.

Party tips: For more than four kids, run two teams with different colored cards and different routes that end at the same treasure. Pair younger kids with an older “map reader,” and give each team one free hint card. For a classroom, use spots in the room instead (the pencil sharpener, the class library, the teacher’s desk) and let teams race against a timer.

Looking for more hunts? Try our indoor scavenger hunt riddles, these backyard scavenger hunt riddles or our riddles about household items.