Use a digital camera for this activity. This game is appropriate even for the youngest preschoolers if you allow children to work together in pairs or small groups. Before children arrive for the day, take pictures of several items outdoors such as leaves, pinecones, tree bark or flower petals. Print these pictures and laminate them or cover them in clear contact paper for durability. Divide the pictures between the teams of children and instructed them to find the objects in the pictures outside in the backyard or playground. Give the children a time limit of about 10 minutes for the scavenger hunt. Each team should have a bag in which to collect the items they find.
This is a simple game that is appropriate for all ages. Try this activity during your large group circle time. Shut off the lights and ask children to close their eyes. While the children's eyes are closed, walk through the classroom and tell the children that you are going to hide one object. Hide a toy or stuffed animal in a closet or under a table. Turn the lights back on and tell the children to open their eyes and find the hidden object. Not only will they have to search for the hidden object, but they'll also have to guess which object is the one you hid. Whoever finds the hidden object will be the next to hide something.
While not exactly a hidden object game, this old favorite is still tops with preschoolers. Choose an object in the classroom and give children clues as to what object you have in mind. For example, if you are thinking of a stuffed bear, you would say "I spy something brown!" and allow children to make guesses as to which object you are describing. If no one guesses after a few minutes, give another clue such as "I spy something brown with two ears." The child who guesses correctly will be the next to "spy" an object.
When you have played every hiding game you can imagine and the children are clamoring for more, it may be time to purchase a few hidden object books. Luckily, there are several available for almost any age group, starring some of your preschoolers' favorite characters. For older preschoolers, try the "I Spy" series published by Cartwheel. The "Look and Find" series from Publications International stars kids' favorite Disney and Sesame Street characters and offers a line of "First Look and Find" books appropriate for toddlers and young preschoolers. Even the old "Where's Waldo?" series is being resurrected by Candlewick Press and will provide preschoolers with long attention spans with plenty of hidden object fun.