Submissions
To submit a Hidden Pictures® puzzle, go to Highlights.submittable.com and choose “Hidden
Pictures puzzles.” After creating an account, you’ll be guided through the submission process.
HIDDEN PICTURES® Specifications for Puzzles Geared to Children Ages 4-6
1. Illustrations are predominantly four-color. Illustrations with stickers are black-and-white
line art.
2. Finished art must reduce to 6.375" wide by 7.625" high for a single page; to 13.625"
wide by 7.625" high for a spread. When creating spreads, avoid placing hidden objects in
the gutter. All Hidden Pictures illustrations should have a safety of .25" safety on all
sides of the illustration to prevent hidden objects being cut off. Also add .25" of bleed
around the illustration.
3. A single-page Hidden Pictures® illustration for kids ages 4-6 will have 8 hidden objects; a
two-page spread will have 12.
4. Good hidden objects are simple items that readers will easily recognize. (See list of
commonly hidden objects below.)
5. Hidden objects should be scattered evenly throughout the illustration.
6. In puzzles for kids ages 4-6, at least some hidden objects should be relatively large.
7. Objects may be scaled to different sizes relative to one another. For instance, a hidden
TOOTHBRUSH might be larger than a hidden CAR.
8. As often as possible, objects should be oriented in a way that would be reasonable in a
real-world context.
9. The color of hidden objects should be reasonable in a real-world context. (For example,
no blue tomatoes.)
10. Objects should not be hidden in places that would be logical in a real-world context. (For
instance, a fish would not be hidden in the swirls of blue water.)
11. No objects should be hidden that also appear unhidden in the same scene. (For
example, a shoe should not be hidden in a picture that shows someone wearing shoes.)
12. No objects should be hidden inappropriately on a part of a person’s body.
13. Objects should not be too close together, and they should never touch.
14. Keep objects away from the edges of the illustration, and out of the gutter in the case of
a two-page spread.
15. Objects must appear whole—in their entirety—not cropped or missing any part.
16. The color and line of hidden objects might be enhanced slightly to make images pop out
of the art so they are a little easier to spot.
Commonly Used Hidden Pictures Objects (in Puzzles for Kids Ages 4-6)
Other objects may be added as long as the item is familiar to children and its name is easy to read.
acorn
apple
arrow
baby bottle
balloon
banana
baseball
baseball bat
bat (animal)
bell
belt
bird
book
boot
bottle
bowl
bread slice
broccoli
butterfly
button
cake slice
candle
candy cane
cane
canoe
cap
car
carrot
caterpillar
celery
cheese
dish
dog
dog bone
doll
doughnut
drum
drumstick
duck
egg
envelope
fan
feather
fish
fishhook
flag
flashlight
flower
flowerpot
football
fork
four leaf clover
fried egg
frog
frying pan
funnel
gift
glove
goldfish
grapes
hairbrush
hamburger
ice pop
jar
jump rope
key
kite
ladder
ladle
ladybug
leaf
lemon
lemon slice
lime
loaf of bread
lock
lollipop
magnifying glass
mitten
mop
mouse
muffin
mug
mushroom
pail
paintbrush
paper clip
party hat
pear
pen
pencil
pie
pie slice
rowboat
ruler
saltshaker
saw
scissors
screwdriver
seashell
shovel
skateboard
slipper
snail
snake
sneaker
snowman
sock
spool of thread
spoon
stamp
star
string (ball)
suitcase
sun
teacup
teapot
teddy bear
tennis racket
tomato
toothbrush
toothpaste
top hat
turtle
cherries
clock
crayon
crown
comb
cookie
cowboy hat
crescent moon
cupcake
hammer
handbag
hat
heart
hoe
horn
horseshoe
hot dog
ice cream cone
pine tree
pitcher
pizza slice
potato
purse
rabbit
rattle
ring
rolling pin
vase
watermelon slice
whale
whistle
wishbone
worm
wristwatch
yo-yo