The Holiday Collection
The short answer: A Christmas scavenger hunt takes about 30 minutes to set up: choose 8 to 12 hiding spots, write a short clue for each that points to the next spot, number the clues and hide them in reverse order. Hand players the first clue and put a small prize, or a special gift, at the final spot.
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I love the little traditions a family repeats every year, and a hunt is one of the easiest to start. Pick the night on the Holiday Calendar page of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99), and list the prize on the Stocking Stuffers page so it fits the holiday budget.
How to set up a Christmas scavenger hunt
- Pick the spots. Choose 8 to 12 places around the house, such as the tree, fridge, oven and mailbox.
- Write the clues. Each clue points to the next spot. Keep them short and age-appropriate.
- Number everything. Write a small number on each clue so you can hide them in order.
- Hide in reverse. Start from the final spot and work backward to the first clue.
- Set the prize. Put the prize or gift at the last spot.
- Do a quick walk-through. Make sure every clue is still in place before players start.
Christmas scavenger hunt template
Use this simple scavenger hunt template to plan the hunt on one sheet of paper before you write a single clue card:
| Clue # | Hiding spot | Clue that leads here | Hidden? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (handed to players) | ||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| ... | |||
| Final | Prize spot |
Fill in the hiding spots first, in order. Then write each clue so it points to the spot on the next row. Copy every clue onto its own card with its number on the back, hide the cards from the bottom row up, and tick the last column as you go. Keep the sheet in your pocket during the hunt so you can give hints.
12 Christmas scavenger hunt clues
Use these clues as written, or swap in spots that fit your home.
| Hiding spot | Clue |
|---|---|
| Christmas tree | I sparkle with lights and I'm covered in balls. Look under my branches, I'm the tallest of all. |
| Oven | Where cookies are baked and the timer goes ding, look inside for the next shiny thing. |
| Refrigerator | I keep the milk cold for Santa's big night. Open my door and look to the right. |
| Stocking | I hang by the chimney, or maybe a hook. Reach down inside me and take a good look. |
| Mailbox | Cards from our loved ones arrive here each day. Go out to the box, your next clue's on its way. |
| Bathtub | Splash, splash and bubbles, I'm where you get clean. Pull back the curtain, the next clue is seen. |
| Washing machine | I spin all your sweaters and pajamas too. Peek in my door for the next little clue. |
| Bookshelf | Stories of reindeer and snowmen live here. Find the red book and the clue will appear. |
| Couch | Where we watch movies all snuggled up tight, lift up a cushion and look to the right. |
| Bed | Visions of sugarplums dance in your head. Look under the pillow on top of your bed. |
| Front door | Guests knock on me and the wreath hangs up high. Check the mat by me before you go by. |
| Coat closet | Hats, boots and mittens all wait in a row. Look in a pocket and find where to go. |
Christmas scavenger hunt ideas by age
- Toddlers and preschoolers: use a picture checklist of big items like a bell, a stocking and a red bow.
- School-age kids: use rhyming clues, a timer and a small treat at every third stop.
- Teens: try a photo hunt or a puzzle-code hunt where each clue gives one letter of a secret word.
- Adults: split into teams for a photo challenge with points for creativity.
- Mixed ages: pair an older reader with a younger finder.
Christmas light and outdoor scavenger hunts
A Christmas light scavenger hunt turns a drive or walk into a game. Print a checklist of displays to spot: a blow-up snowman, a nativity scene, candy cane lights, a lit reindeer, a star on a roof and a house decorated in one color. Players check off each one, and the most finds wins.
An outdoor hunt is also an easy way to get moving during a cozy season. The CDC's guidelines for children recommend that kids ages 6 to 17 get 60 minutes or more of physical activity every day.
Safety tips for hunts with little ones
The CPSC holiday safety center warns that small parts are a choking hazard for children under 3. It also says to keep deflated or broken balloons away from children under 8. Hide large items for young players, and keep clues away from lit candles, hot ovens and tree lights.
Plan the hunt with the rest of the holidays
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) has a Gift List, Stocking Stuffers page and Holiday Calendar, so hunt prizes and dates fit the season's plan. The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) adds the Meal Planner, Sinking Funds Tracker and Cleaning Schedule. Browse every holiday printable or save with our bundles.
Our free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list.
See also
The Holiday Collection
Give every person a limit and watch what's left
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner adds up every list for you: a budget for each person, a log of each purchase and the amount left to spend, plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
- Spreadsheet for Excel and Google Sheets
- 11 printable pages, US Letter + A4
- Instant download, 14-day fix-or-refund promise
Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a Christmas scavenger hunt? To make a Christmas scavenger hunt, pick 8 to 12 hiding spots, write one clue for each spot that points to the next, number the clues and hide them in reverse order. Hand the first clue to the players and put the prize at the final spot.
What are good Christmas scavenger hunt clues? Good Christmas scavenger hunt clues are short rhymes about everyday spots, such as 'Where cookies are baked and the timer goes ding, look inside for the next shiny thing' for the oven. Match the difficulty to the youngest player.
How many clues should a Christmas scavenger hunt have? A Christmas scavenger hunt for young kids works best with 5 to 8 clues, while older kids and adults enjoy 10 to 15. Plan for the hunt to last about 15 to 30 minutes so nobody loses interest.
How do you do a Christmas morning gift scavenger hunt? For a Christmas morning gift scavenger hunt, hide one special gift and leave a trail of clues that starts in the stocking or under the tree. List the gift and its hiding spot on the Gift List page of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner so you remember where it is.
What is a Christmas light scavenger hunt? A Christmas light scavenger hunt is a car or neighborhood walk where players check off holiday displays, such as a blow-up snowman, candy cane lights, a nativity scene or a lit-up reindeer. Print one checklist per player and give a small prize for the most finds.
How do you make a Christmas scavenger hunt for toddlers? Make a Christmas scavenger hunt for toddlers with a picture list instead of written clues, using objects like a bell, a stocking, a candy cane and a red bow. Keep hidden items large, since the CPSC warns that small parts are a choking hazard for children under 3.
What are good prizes for a Christmas scavenger hunt? Good prizes for a Christmas scavenger hunt are hot cocoa kits, a new holiday movie, matching socks, a small puzzle or a coupon for choosing the next family activity. A small shared prize at the end keeps a team hunt friendly.
Can adults do a Christmas scavenger hunt? Yes, adults can do a Christmas scavenger hunt, usually as a photo hunt in teams with a list of holiday challenges like 'a selfie with a lit tree' or 'a stranger's ugly sweater.' Award points per photo and a bonus for creativity.
Is there a scavenger hunt template I can use? A simple scavenger hunt template is a table with four columns: clue number, hiding spot, the clue that leads there and a check box for hidden. Fill in the spots first, write each clue to point to the next spot, then hide the cards in reverse order.
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Sources
- CPSC: Holiday safety cpsc.gov
- CDC: Physical activity guidelines for children cdc.gov