Papa & Paws® Doggie Detectives: Fun Activity Ideas

A fun and simple scavenger hunt where your child follows picture clues to find a 'missing' favorite toy hidden in the backyard or around the house.

Instructions:

1. Choose one of your child's favorite toys to be the 'treasure'.

2. While your child isn't looking, hide the toy somewhere safe (e.g., behind a pillow, under a bush).

3. On index cards, draw simple picture clues. For example, the first card could have a picture of the kitchen table. Hide that clue where they will start.

4. Under the kitchen table, hide the next clue card, which might have a picture of their bed.

5. Continue with 3-5 clues, with the final one leading to the hidden toy.

6. Give your child the first clue and watch them play detective!

You will need:

• Index cards or paper

• Crayons or markers

Create a fun piece of art by making a trail of 'paw prints' using handprints. It's a great way to get a little messy and create a visual story of a detective's path.

Instructions:

1. Roll out a large piece of paper on the floor or an outdoor surface.

2. Pour a small amount of paint onto a paper plate.

3. Show your child how to make a 'paw print' by dipping their fist or fingertips into the paint and pressing down on the paper.

4. Help them create a winding trail of paw prints across the paper, as if a puppy detective was on the hunt.

5. Let the masterpiece dry and hang it up!

You will need:

• Large roll of paper or poster board

• Non-toxic, washable paint

• Paper plates

A tactile guessing game where children use their sense of touch to identify 'mystery' objects hidden inside a box, sharpening their sensory skills.

Instructions:

1. Carefully cut a hole in each side of the cardboard box, large enough for your child's hands to fit through.

2. Place one of the mystery objects inside the box without letting your child see it.

3. Have your child put their hands through the holes and describe what they feel. Is it soft? Hard? Bumpy? Smooth?

4. Encourage them to guess what the object is before taking it out to reveal the answer.

5. Take turns putting different objects in the box!

You will need:

• Cardboard box with a lid

• Various small, safe household objects (e.g., a soft ball, a block, a large plastic spoon, a feather)

Get creative and build your very own detective kit using common household items, perfect for solving any make-believe mystery that comes your way.

Instructions:

1. Gather your materials on a table.

2. Decorate the cardboard tube to be a 'spyglass' or 'telescope'.

3. Personalize the small notepad with stickers and drawings to make it an official 'Clue Notebook'.

4. Create a 'Detective Badge' by drawing on a piece of paper or cardboard and taping a safety pin to the back (with parent supervision).

5. Place all your new detective tools into the bag or box. Your kit is ready for the next case!

You will need:

• Cardboard tube (from paper towels or toilet paper)

• Small notepad

• Crayons and stickers

• A small bag or box

A delicious mystery game where a favorite snack goes 'missing' and your child must follow a series of simple clues to find its hiding spot.

Instructions:

1. Tell your child you have a snack for them, but oh no, it's missing!

2. Hide the snack in an easy-to-reach place, like inside a kitchen cabinet or on a low shelf.

3. Create a trail of tiny clues leading from your child to the hiding spot. This could be a small trail of oats or crackers.

4. Encourage your child to be a detective and follow the trail of 'evidence'.

5. Celebrate when they crack the case and find their snack!

You will need:

• Your child's favorite packaged snack (e.g., crackers, fruit snacks)

• Small bits of food for a clue trail (e.g., oats, small crackers)