A fantastic reading activity that 5 and 6 year olds will really enjoy and younger children will also love to play if someone helps them by reading out the clues.

You’ll need

• Ten wrapped easter eggs,bunnies or chicks ( you can use different coloured eggs for each child so it's not a free for all!)

• Sheets of paper for clues and pens to write with

• Places to hide chocolates inside or outside depending on the weather

Set up

• Hide the ten chocolates

• Write 10 simple clues to help your child find each item. For instance, if the chocolate bunny is in the lounge behind the blue sofa you could write a short clue that says: “I am behind something blue.”

During the treasure hunt

• Hand your child the first clue and help them read it. Make it fun, but encourage your child to have a go at reading even if they just get the first letter sound. Never let a child struggle and help them to read the clues if necessary and keep the game moving.

• As each chocolate and clue is found, you can either let them eat the chocolates as they find them or get them to collect all the chocolates in a basket and eat them at the end!

• At the end of the activity, praise your child. Be specific. Don’t simply say, “You did well!” Instead, say, “I was really impressed when you sounded out the word blue. You’re becoming a good reader!” This will reinforce the notion that reading is important to you and should be to him or her, too.

Alternative ways to play treasure hunt reading games

• Hide puzzle pieces. When the child finds them all, the puzzle can be completed.

• If your child is just beginning to write, have him or her make clues and hide items for you!

• Take digital photos during the treasure hunt. Kids adore seeing themselves on camera and will like reminiscing about the experience while looking at their pictures. You can always make a Easter 2010 memory book!

• Give your child a certain amount of time to find all the items. (This is only appropriate if your child can read simple words fairly well or is unlikely to become too discouraged if he or she doesn’t find everything in the time allotted.)

• Play the treasure hunt inside or outside if it is fine.