1. Roll out your playdough into a flat shape using your hands or a rolling pin.
2. Sprinkle your hidden treasures - beads, gems or loose parts - across the dough.
3. Use your hands to ball the dough up, squishing and mixing the treasures into the playdough.
4. Roll, press and stretch the dough to start discovering the hidden treasures inside.
5. Use fingers or tweezers to dig out each treasure and collect them in a bowl or tray.
   
   

Extend at home by:

Counting how many treasures you can find

Sorting treasures by colour, shape or size

Using tweezers to build extra hand strength and coordination

Asking “Can you find all the pink ones?” or “Which colour did you find the most of?”

Timing the treasure hunt for an extra challenge

Develops Fine Motor Control – Rolling, squishing and digging treasures out of the playdough strengthens little hands and builds coordination needed for writing, dressing and everyday tasks.

Encourages Curiosity & Exploration – Searching for hidden treasures invites children to investigate, discover and stay engaged through hands-on sensory play.

Builds Early Maths Awareness – Counting treasures, sorting colours and comparing how many were found introduces early maths concepts in a playful, meaningful way.

Supports Focus & Calm – The repetitive motions of rolling, squishing and searching can help children slow down, concentrate and regulate.

Explores Problem Solving & Thinking – Children use observation, memory and trial-and-error as they work out where treasures are hidden and how to uncover them.

Boosts Confidence & Independence – Finding hidden treasures and completing the activity gives children a sense of achievement and pride.

Link to Early Learning Framework:
✓ Learning Through Play
✓ Physical Development
✓ Cognitive Development
✓ Creativity & Imagination
✓ Social-Emotional Skills

Perfect for small groups, centres, or individual exploration Adaptable for different age groups and ability levels