You can not find your device if it does not have an internet connection; so if it is off or out of communications for some other reason then Find my iPad will not work. You can tell it to notify you if the iPad is turned back on and connects to the internet.
In general, apps can not be hidden. Some few apps, like Safari and the App Store can be turned off in Settings > General > Restrictions. When they are off they will not appear on the home screen. If you do this do not forget the passcode you set. Recovery from forgotten passwords is every bit as difficult as it should be.
Otherwise, the best you can do is place the unwanted apps in a folder and move them to the last Home Screen, where they will be less obtrusive.