I Spotted It, Shh: Camouflaged Objects
The teacher camouflages objects in plain sight around the room (a green scarf on the plant, a hoop hanging next to the mirror) and children stroll around looking for them; when they spot one, they don't say it, they touch their nose and keep walking. Children work on visual attention and holding back the urge to shout.
How to play
- While children sit with eyes closed, the teacher places six objects in plain sight but camouflaged, never under anything (1 min).
- Teach the secret signal: when I spot an object, I touch my nose and keep walking without saying it (1 min).
- Walk around the room in different ways (slowly, on tiptoe, sideways) looking for the objects (3 min).
- The teacher asks “Who's seen three?” and anyone who wants to quietly goes and points to them one by one (2 min).
- Second round: a group of four camouflages the objects while the rest wait with eyes covered, softly singing, then everyone searches (4 min).
- Collect the objects walking in slow motion and put them back where they belong (1 min).
Rules
- I see it, touch my nose and keep it secret.
- We look at the objects but don't touch them until the end.
- I walk, not run, so I don't bump anyone.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, use just three large, brightly colored objects, and kids may point as soon as they spot one.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, camouflage six objects by color.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, use eight objects and at the end kids trace in the air where each was: up high, down low, next to…
Adaptations
- Visual impairment: camouflage objects that make a sound or have a smell (a closed cinnamon jar) so the child searches by ear and nose.
- Limited mobility: the child strolls with a buddy pushing the wheelchair, and all objects are at a height they can see.
- Autism or trouble waiting: the child can be the teacher's helper who camouflages the objects in the first round.
Learning goals
- Look closely at a familiar space.
- Hold back the urge to call out what they find.
- Move around the room in varied, calm ways.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Colorful classroom objects: 8
Teacher tip
Use objects they know well (the scarf from the play corner, the red ball) so the challenge is spotting them, not recognizing them. The usual mistake is hiding them inside something; they must be in plain view, just disguised.
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