ChatGPT Hidden Object Puzzle Prompt: Make Your Own Hidden Objects Seek and Find

Remember those hidden object puzzles from the back of Highlights magazine? The ones where you'd spend way too long hunting for a pencil hidden in a tree bark or a spoon disguised as part of a fence?

Well, turns out you can make these yourself now with ChatGPT. No design skills required. No Photoshop subscription gathering digital dust on your credit card statement. Just some clever prompting and about 3 minutes of your time. (Don't worry, there's a ChatGPT Hidden Object prompt template below. No thinking required)

I've been playing with this for weeks (much to the annoyance of my productivity app). But honestly? Making custom hidden object puzzles is ridiculously fun, and I've found some genuinely practical uses for them.

Let me show you how to do it.

In This Article

• 🧰 What You'll Need
• 🛠️ The Simplest Hidden Objects Prompt (Just to Get You Started)
• 🧩 The Ultimate Hidden Objects Prompt Template
• 🎯 Difficulty Levels Explained
• 🔥 6 Real Examples Of Hidden Object ChatGPT Prompts You Can Copy and Use
• 🎨 Tips for Better Puzzles
• 🧼 Common Problems & Easy Fixes
• 🧠 Why This Is Worth Doing
• 🤖 Wrapping Up Making Hidden Objects Puzzles With ChatGPT

🧰 What You'll Need

• A ChatGPT account with image generation (GPT-4o or later)
• About 2-5 minutes
• An idea or theme (optional but fun)
• That's it. Seriously.

No design tools. No special software. No artistic ability whatsoever. (Trust me, I've got the drawing skills of a caffeinated toddler with a crayon.)

🛠️ The Simplest Hidden Objects Prompt (Just to Get You Started)

If you want to test this out in literally 10 seconds, here's the absolute minimum prompt that works:

Make me a hidden objects puzzle image with [X] hidden items: [List items].

Like this:

Make me a hidden objects puzzle image with 3 hidden items: keys, newspaper, lighter.

It's That Easy

That's it. ChatGPT will generate a busy scene with several objects hidden in clever ways.

Is it perfect? Nope. Is it still kind of amazing? Absolutely.

What you'll get with this basic prompt:

• A busy scene with several objects hidden in clever ways
• Some items might be well-blended, others easier to find
• A good starting point, but not much control
• Great for quick tests or warm-ups

It's like ordering "coffee" without specifying anything else. You'll get caffeine, but maybe not exactly how you like it.

🧩 The Ultimate Hidden Objects Prompt Template

After much trial and error (and some truly bizarre results, one puzzle had a "hidden" elephant that was literally the size of the entire image), I've developed a template that gives you much more control. This is for when you want to create puzzles with:

• Custom themes (wizard's library? alien bakery? startup office?)
• Specific visual styles (cartoon, pixel art, realistic)
• Control over difficulty level
• Consistent, high-quality results

Here's the full template:

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout, some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

**Theme:** [Insert concept, ex: "a wizard's library", "a messy detective's office", "a jungle expedition"]  
**Style:** [Insert visual style, ex: vintage cartoon, cozy painterly, isometric pixel art, detailed linework]  
**Key Elements of the Scene:** [List 5-7 main features or areas to include, ex: bookshelf, desk, vines, tools, statues, tent, potion jars]  
**Objects to Hide:** [List 5-10 specific hidden items, ex: magnifying glass, feather, locket, banana, flashlight]  
**Difficulty:** [Easy, Medium, Hard]  
**Layout:** Vertical, Landscape, or Square image (ex: 768 x 1024, 1024 x 768, 1024 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Make sure the hidden objects blend well into the setting, based on difficulty.

*IMPORTANT:* Objects must be part of the scene, not floating or obvious. Use color blending, partial obstruction, and shape confusion to camouflage them. Make the difficulty appropriate by adjusting the visibility, contrast, and how much the object mimics its surroundings.

(I know this looks long, but it's mostly just filling in blanks. Trust me, it's worth the extra 30 seconds.)

🎯 Difficulty Levels Explained

The difficulty setting is probably the most important part of your prompt. Here's what each level actually means:

Easy

• Objects are easy to spot
• Bold shapes, colors that stand out
• Great for kids or casual players
• "Where did the hat go?" level of challenge

Medium

• Items are partially blended or lightly disguised
• Camouflaged among similar shapes or in the background
• Fun balance of challenge and reward
• "Is that a pencil or part of the fence?" level of challenge

Hard

• Cleverly hidden items
• Mimicry, shadow play, object rotation, and minimal contrast
• Ideal for adults, puzzle fans, or brain teasers
• "I've been staring at this for 10 minutes" level of challenge

🔥 6 Real Examples Of Hidden Object ChatGPT Prompts You Can Copy and Use

Here are some fully written prompts using the template. I've created two for each difficulty level:

🟢 EASY

1. A Busy Farmer's Market

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout — some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

Theme: A Busy Farmer's Market
Style: Cozy painterly
Key Elements of the Scene: Fruit stands, flower stall, bakery table, crowd of shoppers, hanging banners, crates, baskets
Objects to Hide: Carrot, tea cup, butterfly, apple core, striped sock, spoon
Difficulty: Easy
Layout: One square image (1024 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Make sure the hidden objects blend well into the setting, based on difficulty.

2. A Pirate Ship Deck at Sunset

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout — some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

Theme: A Pirate Ship Deck at Sunset
Style: Vintage cartoon
Key Elements of the Scene: Sail rigging, treasure chest, parrot perch, cannon, rope coils, barrels, sunset sky
Objects to Hide: Hook, spyglass, dice, coin, feather, bottle, cutlass
Difficulty: Easy
Layout: One vertical image (768 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Make sure the hidden objects blend well into the setting, based on difficulty.

🟡 MEDIUM

3. A Futuristic Tokyo Alleyway at Night

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout — some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

Theme: A Futuristic Tokyo Alleyway at Night
Style: Neon-drenched anime-comic fusion (cyberpunk lighting, inked outlines, manga-inspired with comic panel energy)
Key Elements of the Scene: Food stand, glowing signage, trash piles, alley cats, neon lights, parked scooter, rooftop cables
Objects to Hide: Bento box, robot eye, spray can, ramen bowl, glove, origami crane, wristwatch
Difficulty: Medium
Layout: One vertical image (768 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Make sure the hidden objects blend well into the setting, based on difficulty.

4. A Secret Superhero Lair

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout — some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

Theme: A Secret Superhero Lair
Style: Classic American comic book (bold lines, high contrast colors)
Key Elements of the Scene: Giant monitor wall, costume racks, gadgets table, crime map, glowing computer screens, trophy display, weapons rack
Objects to Hide: Grappling hook, domino mask, USB drive, glove, cape, boomerang, sandwich
Difficulty: Medium
Layout: One vertical image (768 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Make sure the hidden objects blend well into the setting, based on difficulty.

🔴 HARD

5. A Rooftop Garden in a Rainy Cyberpunk City

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout — some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

Theme: A Rooftop Garden in a Rainy Cyberpunk City
Style: Moody semi-realistic anime style with strong lighting effects and urban texture
Key Elements of the Scene: Rooftop planters, satellite dishes, neon lights, water puddles, vertical garden walls, umbrellas, skyline background
Objects to Hide: Hologram chip, umbrella handle, earpiece, soda can, ID card, coin, stylus, old book
Difficulty: Hard
Layout: One vertical image (768 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Make objects nearly disappear into wet surfaces, metal textures, or vivid lighting.

6. An Enchanted Forest at Dusk

Make me a hidden-objects image puzzle with a single visually rich scene filled with layered details and background activity. The scene should include several specific items hidden cleverly throughout — some blended into the environment, others disguised among similar shapes or colors. NO labels or text.

Theme: An Enchanted Forest at Dusk
Style: Soft painterly fantasy with glowing magical elements and rich foliage
Key Elements of the Scene: Twisting trees, mushroom circles, glowing animals, fairy lights, stream, fallen logs, carved stones
Objects to Hide: Wand, owl feather, potion bottle, gemstone, crown, rune stone, mushroom cap, crystal dagger
Difficulty: Hard
Layout: One square image (1024 x 1024). The scene should feel natural and lively, not cluttered unnaturally. Objects should blend into nature’s textures — bark, moss, reflections, or light effects.

🎨 Tips for Better Puzzles

After making about 50 of these (don't judge me, it's addictive), I've learned a few tricks:

• Choose objects that blend naturally. A banana in a jungle works better than a rubber duck in a library. Unless it's a very weird library.
• Use contrast carefully. Want it harder? Lower contrast. Want it easier? Use brighter shapes.
• Don't overload the scene. Too many objects = visual mess. Keep it under 10 hidden items.
• Pick a theme that supports hiding. Busy, organic scenes (forests, labs, shops) work better than minimalist spaces.
• Test before sharing. Check that every item is visible somewhere, even if it's tricky. I once made a puzzle where the "hidden key" was literally invisible. Not my finest moment.

🧼 Common Problems & Easy Fixes

Problem	Fix
Objects too obvious	Add: "blend into background," use partial obstruction
Scene feels chaotic	Reduce number of visible elements or simplify style
Hard to identify objects	Pick clear shapes (not too abstract)
Nothing seems hidden	Make sure prompt includes "cleverly hidden" and "blended into environment"
Items are missing	Be specific in "Objects to Hide" and set a firm object count

The most common issue I've run into is when ChatGPT gets a bit too creative and makes the objects impossible to find.

Just remind it firmly that you want visible but cleverly hidden objects and regenerate.

🧠 Why This Is Worth Doing

Besides being stupidly fun (I may have spent an entire Saturday making these), there are some practical uses:

• Perfect for puzzle lovers and hobby creators
• Great prompt engineering exercise, you'll get better at visual prompting fast
• Endless remix potential: change theme, setting, art style, or items

You could even turn these into:

• A hidden objects book or zine
• Classroom brain breaks
• Instagram posts with "Can you find X?"
• A puzzle challenge for friends
• A daily brain teaser email

I've been using them as warm-up exercises for my team meetings.

Nothing breaks the ice like adults squinting at their screens trying to find where I hid the coffee mug in a pixel art startup office. (It was in the plant. They never check the plant.)

🤖 Wrapping Up Making Hidden Objects Puzzles With ChatGPT

The best part about this whole thing is how accessible it makes puzzle creation.

Before AI, making a good hidden object puzzle required actual artistic skill and painstaking editing. Now you can generate custom puzzles in minutes.

So go ahead, make a puzzle set in your office with your coworkers as cartoon characters. Create a series based on your favorite hobby. Challenge your friends with increasingly difficult scenes.

And if you make something cool, let me know! I'm collecting these like digital trading cards at this point.

(Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a hidden objects puzzle of a hidden objects puzzle. We need a little Inception)