Back to activities
Hand strengthThinking play

Peekaboo Scarf Reveal

Parent partly covers a toy with a light scarf and lets baby pull it off, then fully covers it to seed early object permanence.

Cartoon illustration of a parent and child at home doing Peekaboo Scarf Reveal.
  • Age4 to 12 months
  • TimeUnder 5 minutes
  • EnergyCalm
  • CostFree
  • WhereIndoors
  • PrepNone

You partly cover a familiar object with a light scarf so a bit still shows, and let your baby pull the scarf away to find it, then cover it a little more each time. A gentle first taste of things that still exist when hidden.

How to do it

  1. Sit your baby somewhere supported and comfortable, and choose one object they like that is larger than 5cm with no small parts.
  2. Show them the object, then lay a light scarf or cloth over it so that part of the object still peeks out.
  3. Say something like "where did it go?" and let your baby reach and pull the scarf off to find it. React warmly when they do ("there it is").
  4. Repeat, covering a little more of the object each time as they get the idea.
  5. When they are ready, cover the object completely for a moment, then let them pull the scarf and discover it is still there.
  6. Follow your baby's lead and stop when they lose interest or fuss.

What you need

  • Scarf
  • Object

Signs it is working

Your baby pulls the scarf to uncover the object and shows delight when it reappears. Over time they search for a fully hidden object rather than losing interest once it is out of sight. They may start hiding and revealing it themselves.

If it is not quite clicking

Baby loses interest when the object is fully covered: Go back to leaving part of it showing; full hiding comes later. Baby cannot grasp the scarf: Use a lighter, larger cloth and start it half off so it is easy to pull. Baby seems unsure or unsettled by the disappearance: Keep it light and quick, and always let the object reappear: the reveal is the reassuring part.

Make it yours

Younger (4-6 months): Keep most of the object showing; the game is mostly about grabbing the cloth and seeing the object. Older (9 months and up): Fully hide the object and pause before the reveal, or hide it under one of two cloths for them to choose. No scarf: A thin cloth, muslin, or a light hand towel works. Avoid heavy fabric a baby cannot lift.

Try this with your child.

Tell PLAI™ about your child and this moment. It shapes the activity to fit.

Try it in the app