How to plan a Christmas scavenger hunt: 50+ ideas for clues, prizes, themes and more

Christmas Treasure Hunt

What do scavenger hunts have to do with the holidays? More than you might think. A lot of the best things about the season—from the suspense and the surprises, to the giving and receiving of new treasures, to the storytelling, to the quality together time, to taking in festive sights and sounds—can be the same things that make a scavenger hunt so much fun.

With a little planning and prep, a Christmas scavenger hunt can become a highlight of the holiday season—something both kids and adults will want to turn into an annual tradition. And if you want to learn the basics of how to get it running smoothly or get some tips on how to make it extra special, all you have to do is keep reading.

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First things first: Choose your own scavenger hunt style  

There are two basic types of scavenger hunts: one that happens in a specific order and another that is more open-ended. Choose the style that works best for you and your crew.

  • “Treasure Hunt” Scavenger Hunts: In a treasure hunt, the players start with one clue, which helps them find the second clue, which helps them find the third, and so on until they reach the goal.
  • Checklist Scavenger Hunts: In a checklist-style scavenger hunt, the players start with a long list of things to find. The goal is to find as many as possible.

Tips for planning a treasure hunt-style Christmas scavenger hunt  

The basics

Planning a “treasure hunt” Christmas scavenger hunt comes down to just a few simple steps:

1. Create your clues. Write down clues on slips of paper and number them to make sure they don’t get read out of order. Each clue should provide a hint about how to get ahold of the next clue. See below for more tips on how to create fun clues.

2. Hide your clues. The more varied and surprising their locations, the better.

3. Pick and hide a goal/prize. Decide what the payoff to finishing the scavenger hunt will be and make sure it’s well-concealed enough that it can’t be found without the final clue. See below for some fun prize ideas.

4. Guide the players through the scavenger hunt. Even if you do your best to create age-appropriate clues, it’s likely the players will get stuck a time or two before they reach the end. So, as you follow along with them through the hunt, be ready to give some extra little hints when they’re struggling. And, of course, if the players are too young to read, you’ll need to read the clues out loud.

 

Tips for creating scavenger hunt clues

Good clues keep the participants and the setting in mind. We’ve gathered different styles of clues you can try—don’t be afraid to mix and match!

  • Direct instructions. For the youngest players (think toddlers), the clues can really be just instructions—as simple as “look for the next clue under the doormat.” Clues like that will keep the game moving quickly and keep the kiddos from losing interest or getting frustrated.
  • Simple hints. For youngish players (think preschool age), clues can be descriptive, along the lines of an “I Spy” hint. For instance, you could write “the next clue is hidden under something big and green.” It’s OK if that hint applies to more than one object—the kids might check under the tree, look under a green armchair and finally find the clue under a green blanket. Bonus points if the clue rhymes: “Don’t give up! Your next big clue is tucked inside of something blue.”
  • Codes and ciphers. Try writing one or more clues in a secret code and including a key to decode it. For example, try a code that substitutes letters—maybe every letter is replaced with the next letter in the alphabet, so “Christmas” would be “Disjtunbt.” Or maybe each letter is replaced with a simple symbol (A is a gingerbread man, B is a star, C is a candy cane, etc.) To give older players an extra challenge, don’t explain how to decipher the code. Instead, give the players a sample written in the code and tell them what it really means. For example, tell them that “6, 18, 21, 9, 20, 3, 1, 11, 5” means “fruitcake,” and see if they can figure out that each letter is replaced with its position in the alphabet. Once they figure out the code, they can use it to decode the clue.
  • Fill-in-the-rhymes. Set up a rhyme to point the players toward the next clue. Something like “Santa is jolly. The Grinch is a grouch. Your next clue is hidden right under the _______” (The answer is “couch.” 😂)
  • Clever riddles. If you’re good with wordplay, tricky phrasings and double meanings, try coming up with some clever or funny riddles. For example, you could say “When gingerbread men make their beds, what do they put on first?” and tape the next clue to one of the cookie sheets in the kitchen. (Get it? Cookie sheets?)
  • Games and physical challenges. Give the players a challenge they have to complete before you’ll give them the next clue. It could be a game of skill (make three free throws in a row, pin the nose on Rudolph, keep two balloons in the air for a full minute or any other quick games), a building challenge (build a block tower at least two feet high or build a snowman that’s taller than you), a crafty challenge (make a paper snowflake) or just an excuse to get the kids moving (run five times around the house).
  • Knowledge and trivia challenges. Give the players questions they have to answer before you’ll give them the next clue. You can give questions based on what they’ve been learning in school (“What’s 7 minus 3 plus 8?”), questions based on their interests (“What’s the biggest animal in the world?”) or questions related to the season (“How many Wise Men were there, and what did they bring?”).
  • Draw a map to where the next clue can be found. Feel free to make it whimsical or needlessly convoluted.
  • A mini checklist-style scavenger hunt. For one of your challenges, create a mini checklist-style scavenger hunt that must be completed for the next clue to be revealed. For more on checklist-style scavenger hunts, scroll down.

Christmas treasure hunt prizes

Knowing that there’s a prize at the end can make your whole Christmas scavenger hunt way more exciting. Here are some ideas for how to finish strong!

  • An extra present. Whether it’s happening before or after your main gift-opening session, having your scavenger hunt lead to an extra wrapped gift for each player can be an exciting payoff.
  • The present you couldn’t wrap. If you got someone a present too big or awkwardly shaped to wrap (like a bicycle or a Siberian husky), tuck it away in some concealed corner of your home and get ready for some serious excitement when it’s found.
  • A present for the whole family. If you got a gift that the whole family will enjoy rather than a gift for a specific person (think a new TV, a family membership at a local attraction, etc.), then it’s extra perfect for the whole family to work together to find it.
  • Sweet treats. Whether it’s candy or homemade goodies, everybody likes sweets—and they’re good for a whole team to share. You can even add to the treasure theme with some chocolate coins.
  • An experience. Instead of a physical gift, you can plan a scavenger hunt that leads to a favorite place (a restaurant the kids love, the zoo, an arcade, etc.). Just be mindful of scheduling, since many businesses have special holiday hours.
  • Smaller prizes throughout the hunt. Pick small prizes to accompany each clue. The prizes can be unrelated (a piece of candy here, a cute hair clip there), or they can build on each other (each clue comes with an ingredient, and by the end you have everything you need to bake cookies together).
  • Prizes you already own. Maybe each clue comes with some ornaments and the final payoff is finding and decorating the tree. Maybe each clue leads you to one of the Christmas DVDs that you’ve been keeping tucked away until the holiday season, or to a missing piece of a holiday puzzle you’ve been working on. Hiding items you already have around the house is a budget-friendly way to add some excitement to your scavenger hunt.

Treasure-hunt-style scavenger hunt themes

Looking for a theme to tie your Christmas scavenger hunt together? Here are some ideas to get you inspired.

  • North Pole Theme. Write clues related to elves, reindeer, polar bears, sleighs and everything that goes on in Santa’s neighborhood. Bonus points if you dress up in costume.
  • Winter Wonderland Theme. Get everyone bundled up to head outside. Tuck clues between evergreen branches, bury them in snow, or stick them in the mailbox. Then, take your family on an adventure all around the yard—or even the neighborhood.
  • Seasonal Sweets Theme. Write clues about cookies, cocoa, fudge, yule logs and other favorite Christmas goodies, then have them lead to a sweet prize. And if you’re looking to try a new holiday recipe, check here.
  • Nativity Theme. Turn your scavenger hunt into a journey to Bethlehem. Your players will have to be as wise as Wise Men to follow the clues—and the star—to their destination.
  • Blizzard Blitz Theme. Play in the snow in the comfort of your home. Use snow-themed hints and decorations and write the clues on paper snowflakes.
  • Pirate Treasure Hunt. Nobody loves treasure hunting more than pirates. If you have a Santa costume, add an eyepatch and call yourself “Captain Whitebeard.” Make sure to shout lots of stuff like “Ho ho ho and a bottle of rum!” or “Stay off me naughty list, or I’ll have ye swab the sleigh!”

 

Tips for turning a scavenger hunt into an adventure

Navigating a series of clues and challenges to get a prize is already fun. But if you want to take your scavenger hunt to the next level and make it into an imaginative, unforgettable adventure, here are some little touches you can add.

  • Make up a backstory. Think up a creative reason why this scavenger hunt is an important quest. Are you adventurers trying to discover the North Pole? Does Santa need help solving a mystery to save Christmas? See if you can work that story into your clues or tie it in with the final prize.
  • Add some sidekicks. Since the kids will probably need some help figuring out the tougher clues, try adding to the fun by acting out the part of a sidekick. Find a stuffed animal or hand puppet that’s relevant to your theme, give it a funny voice, and have it step in with hints, encouragement and funny banter whenever the time is right.
  • Add some costumes. See if you can think of a low-effort way for the kids to dress up in costumes relevant to the theme. Costumes can help with getting into character and using your imagination.

Christmas scavenger hunts for adults

People might think of scavenger hunts as kid stuff, but really, they have a lot in common with escape rooms. The mystery, the teamwork, the fun of figuring out puzzles and uncovering new clues, and the thrill of getting closer and closer to your goal add up to make scavenger hunts fun for any age.

If you want to plan a scavenger hunt for adults (whether they’re your friends, co-workers, siblings, your grown-up kids or your significant other), the tips below should get you started.

  • Dial up the difficulty. First and foremost, you can make the clues and challenges a little more, well, challenging. Just don’t make anything so hard that it will be unsolvable or bring the pace grinding to a halt.
  • Add some extra humor. If you know your participants pretty well, try working the types of humor they would enjoy into the clues (even if that means going a little naughty). Or you can try to work humor into where the clues are found—for instance, maybe some are being held up by kitschy or creepy Christmas figurines.
  • Try some grown-up-appropriate themes…
    –  Have each clue lead to a different ingredient for a festive punch or some fun seasonal cocktails.
    –  Have a caroling scavenger hunt that stops by the houses of various neighborhood friends, each of whom provides the next clue, plus maybe a snack or drink.
    –  If you have a brainy bunch, go for a trivia theme with suitably tough questions.
  • Plan a romantic scavenger hunt for your significant other
    –  Write clues that draw on shared memories (a funny moment from your first date or a question about the first vacation you took together).
    –  Attach a cute or funny couple photo to each clue.
    –  Add some cute romantic challenges. (“Serenade me with the sweetest Christmas song you know” or “kiss me under the mistletoe.”)
    –  Set it up so the last clue leads to your favorite snuggling spot.

Tips for planning a checklist-style Christmas scavenger hunt  

The basics

Planning a checklist-style Christmas scavenger hunt is simple. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Pick a location and a theme. See below for ideas!

2. Write up your checklist. If you want each player to find every item on the checklist, an appropriate length might be 10–25 items (and everything on the list should be something you know can be found in the area). If you want each player to find as many items as they can, with no expectation that anyone will find every item on the checklist, you might make a list of 20-100 items, which can range from easy to nearly impossible to find.

3. Decide whether to make it a competition. Will everybody be working together to complete the scavenger hunt? Or will there be multiple teams or individuals competing? Either approach works well for a checklist-style scavenger hunt.

4. If it’s a competition, lay down some rules.

  • Is the winner the team who completes the whole checklist fastest? Or is it the team who finds the most items within a time limit?
  • If there’s a time limit, what is it? Depending on the scope of your scavenger hunt, anything from ten minutes to a full week could be appropriate.
  • How does the scoring work? Is every item worth the same? Or do you get more points for tougher-to-find items (e.g., 5 points if you see a squirrel, 50 points if you see a live reindeer)? Does each item count just once, or can you look for multiples of some items (e.g., 5 points for every squirrel you see)?
  • Are you using the honor system? Or do competitors need proof of each item they found (i.e., a photo)?

5. Decide on a prize. If it’s a competition, does the winning team get something special? If it’s cooperative, does everyone get a reward at the end? See below for some prize ideas.

6. Get started! And have fun.

 

Themes and locations

A checklist-style Christmas scavenger hunt can take place indoors or outdoors, on as small or as large a scale as you want. These ideas start small and move larger as you scroll.

  • Searchin’ Around the Christmas Tree. Make a checklist of some ornaments on your own tree and see who can find them all. Try mixing some general categories (“find 5 Santas”) with some super-specific ornaments (“find the penguin with the surfboard”).
  • Christmas Movie Scavenger Hunt. Draw inspiration from games like “Christmas movie bingo” and make a list of ideas or objects commonly seen in a Christmas movie (e.g., the first snow, “we’ll have to cancel Christmas,” or a character finding the Christmas spirit). Then, watch one or more Christmas movies and see how many you can spot.
  • Plugged-in Scavenger Hunt. Try a virtual scavenger hunt. You can include clues that prompt people to dig around someone’s old social posts (“find a picture of Mom dancing”) or clues that just call for goofily specific things from the internet (“find a picture of Santa riding a llama”).
  • Home for the Holidays. Make a checklist of everything Christmassy inside your own home, from decorations and ornaments, to baking supplies and treats, to winter gear, snow shovels and sleds. Feel free to make the hunt more challenging by hiding some of the items.
  • Neighborhood Lights and Sights. See how your neighborhood is getting ready for Christmas with a list focused on outdoor decorations (an inflatable snowman, a real snowman, a Nativity scene, a string of purple Christmas lights).
  • Winter Nature Hunt. Head out to the backyard, a park or a hiking trail with a checklist of plants, animals and natural features (a pine cone, an evergreen tree, a blue jay, a chipmunk, a boulder, a waterfall).
  • All Around Christmas Town. Get in the car to track down holiday attractions throughout your town or city (an ice-skating rink, a place that serves hot cocoa, a Christmas tree farm, a suited-up Santa Claus, a fancy lights display).
  • Mix and Match. Combine multiple categories for a bigger, better, longer scavenger hunt.

 

 Prizes for a checklist-style Christmas scavenger hunt

A prize isn’t essential for a checklist-style scavenger hunt, but it can add some extra fun and excitement. Here’s a list of ideas you can consider:

  • Hot cocoa or warm cookies. These will be especially appreciated if the scavenger hunt took place out in the cold.
  • A small extra present. Give out some simple little gifts to anyone who completes the scavenger hunt—things like candy or stickers.
  • Special gear for the winner. Make a special victory hat, sash or T-shirt that only this year’s scavenger hunt winner gets to wear.
  • Special powers for the winner. Give the winner or winning team the power to pick which Christmas movie you’ll watch that night, which holiday cookie will be made first or which tree-topper you’ll use this year.

We hope these Christmas scavenger hunt ideas help you prolong the magic of Christmas—and maybe even throws a little elf-like mischief into the mix.

 

If you need more ideas for adding extra fun to your holiday festivities, look no further: