The children and their families had gathered together on Good Friday for an Easter egg hunt in a field in Capel, located in Surrey.
But an intrusion at a building nearby brought a dramatic police helicopter chase right to them, Surrey police said.
Sgt. Paul Sochon with the National Police Air Service likened it to "an Enid Blyton adventure," referencing the British author of the popular children's detective novel series "Secret Seven."
"I'm sure the last thing the group of daring Capel residents expected when they set out on Friday afternoon was to abandon their Easter egg hunt to assist us in a police search but the initiative they demonstrated proved to be invaluable," Sochon said.
Two men, ages 28 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the incident. Both were released on bail until May 13 while the investigation continues.