These hidden objects printables hide a short list of objects inside a busy picture. At the bottom of the page you see the objects as black shapes; your job is to find each one in the scene and tick it off. There are six themes with three puzzles each (6, 8 and 10 hidden objects) and an answer page for every puzzle, so there are 18 puzzles in all. All the hidden objects printables are free to print.
Quick answer: pick a theme and print the PDF. Look at the black shapes at the bottom, find the matching colored picture in the scene (it may be small or turned sideways), circle it and tick the box. The last three pages of every PDF show each hidden object circled.
Hidden objects printables for kids (PDF)
Each pack is a six-page PDF: three puzzles, then three answer pages. Click a picture to open the PDF; the preview shows the 8-object puzzle.
Which hidden picture puzzle should you print?
The three puzzles in every pack get harder in the same way: more pictures crowd the scene, the pictures are smaller and they turn at steeper angles, and there are more objects to find.
| Level | Pictures on the page | Objects to find | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 hidden objects | about 72 | 6 objects | Ages 5 to 7 |
| 8 hidden objects | about 104 | 8 objects | Ages 7 to 9 |
| 10 hidden objects | about 136 | 10 objects | Ages 9 and up, families, adults who like a challenge |
How to find the hidden objects in a puzzle
- Study the shapes. Each black shape is the outline of one object. Look at its silhouette: does it have ears, a handle or a long tail?
- Scan the scene in rows. Move your eyes across the picture from the top left, one row at a time, instead of jumping around.
- Look for small and turned objects. On harder puzzles the pictures are tilted, so a carrot may lie on its side.
- Circle and tick. Circle the object in the scene and tick the matching box under the picture.
- Check the answer page. Every hidden object is circled and named in the checklist.
Why a silhouette checklist makes it harder (and more fun)
Matching a colored picture to a colored picture is easy. Matching it to a flat black shape asks a child to notice the outline of an object, which is a different skill. Children can describe the shape out loud, for example “it has long ears and a round tail”, before they start to look.
| Puzzle | Pictures in the scene | Objects to find | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 hidden objects | about 72 | 6 | Say each shape’s name aloud before you search. |
| 8 hidden objects | about 104 | 8 | Search one corner of the page at a time. |
| 10 hidden objects | about 136 | 10 | Tilt the page: turned pictures are easier to see from a new angle. |
Hidden objects versus I spy pages
In an I spy page you hunt for a few kinds of pictures and count every copy. In a hidden objects puzzle every object on the list appears once, so you hunt for single items. Many families alternate between the two: count first with I spy, then search for one-of-a-kind objects here.
Tips for using the hidden objects printables at home or in class
- Start with the 6-object puzzle in any theme and move up only when it feels easy.
- Use a pencil, not a marker. Circles should be small so that the answer page still makes sense.
- Try a timer for fun. Challenge a child to beat their own time on a new page rather than to race anyone else.
- Reuse pages. Slide a page into a plastic sleeve and tick with a dry-erase marker, then wipe it clean for the next player.
How these pages are made
Each page is generated by a program: it chooses the targets for the checklist, fixes how many of each there will be, then scatters those pictures among many others so that nothing overlaps. The answer page is drawn from the same data, so the circles and totals always match the puzzle.
The pictures are Noto Emoji artwork from Google, used under the Apache License 2.0; the project is on GitHub. A credit line is printed at the bottom of every page.
Start with the simpler hidden objects printables for younger children and save the busier scenes for older kids.
Frequently asked questions
7 quick answers
Are these hidden objects printables free?
Yes. Print as many copies as you like for your own children or class, with no account or sign-up.
What are the black shapes at the bottom of the page?
They are the objects you have to find. Each one is a flat black outline of a picture that is hidden somewhere in the scene.
How many hidden objects are on each page?
The three puzzles in each pack have 6, 8 and 10 hidden objects. Every object appears once in the scene.
What age are the hidden pictures puzzles for?
The 6-object puzzles suit roughly ages 5 to 7, the 8-object puzzles ages 7 to 9, and the 10-object puzzles older children and adults.
Do the puzzles come with answers?
Yes. The last three pages of every PDF are the answer pages, with each hidden object circled and named.
Can I print them in black and white?
Yes, but the objects are harder to match in grayscale because the black shapes then look like the gray pictures. Color is best for hidden pictures.
Which hidden pictures printable should a beginner start with?
Start with the 6-object puzzle in any theme, which has about 72 pictures and suits ages 5 to 7. Move up to the 8-object and 10-object puzzles only when it feels easy, and say each shape's name aloud before you search.
More picture puzzles and printable games
- I spy printables with find-and-count pages.
- Halloween I spy printables with answer keys.
- Spot the difference printables with answer pages.
- Printable mazes in square and round shapes.
- Dot to dot printables from 10 to 100 dots.
- Color by number pictures.
- Every puzzle and brain teaser on PrintSheetLab.
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