The Spiderwick Chronicles is based on the film of the same name. In this version, the player controls the Grace siblings - Jared, Simon, and Mallory - each with their own abilities and Thimbletack the Brownie, who can explore small passages in the Spiderwick mansion .
The gameplay consists of exploring the estate with their characters in a series of quests. The player must look for everyday items such as hose nozzles, solve puzzles, fight mythical creatures like trolls and goblins using unique weapons that suit each character - such as slingshots, baseball bats, and squirt guns filled with vinegar. The player can also acquire special abilities and replenish health by catching fairies using a fairy net scattered throughout the stages.