Free Printable Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues for Kids
Make Christmas Eve or Christmas morning extra special with this free printable Christmas scavenger hunt for kids! Fun clues, easy setup, and holiday spirit for the whole family.
Looking for a fun way to bring even more holiday spirit into your home this year? A Christmas scavenger hunt printable is the perfect addition to your family’s holiday season!
With free printable Christmas scavenger hunt clues for kids of all ages, this activity is simple to set up, full of holiday fun and a great way to keep the kids entertained on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or even during a Christmas party with friends and family members.
From candy canes and Christmas trees to Santa’s sleigh and jingle bells, these festive scavenger hunt clue cards are a fun Christmas activity that will have your little ones (and even older kids) racing to find the next clue.
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Why Try a Christmas Scavenger Hunt?
Holiday scavenger hunts are such a fun holiday activity because they’re flexible, easy to set up, and exciting for kids of all ages. Younger kids love the thrill of running from clue to clue, while older children enjoy solving the riddles that lead them to the next clue.
It’s also a great way to break up the waiting on Christmas Eve, make Christmas morning extra special before opening Christmas presents, or add holiday fun during winter break when everyone’s home.
A Christmas scavenger hunt game is:
- A fun way to get the entire family moving and laughing together.
- The perfect time filler if you’re on a tight schedule (hungry kids waiting for Christmas dinner? Start the hunt!).
- Adaptable for holiday parties, classroom fun, or even smaller groups of cousins and friends.
To make this even easier for busy moms, I’ve created a free Christmas scavenger hunt printable with fun rhymes, riddles, and creative ideas that will send your kids on an adventure around the house. Just print the PDF files on white card stock, cut out the clue cards, and hide them in the right places around your home.
Why Kids Love Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are more than just fun—they help with critical thinking, reading, and problem-solving skills. Plus, they create lasting memories for the whole family.
From the first clue to the last clue, kids will be giggling, running, and shouting “Merry Christmas!” as they search for their prize. Whether it’s a snow globe, a gingerbread man cookie, or the magic of Santa Claus himself, this activity is a wonderful way to celebrate the season.
How a Christmas Scavenger Hunt Works
Print your clue cards. Use card stock for sturdier clues, but plain paper works too.
Choose your hiding spots. If you use our free printable Christmas scavenger hunt, you’ll need to pick your hiding spots based on our card hints. For example, the first card can be on your child’s pillowcase or handed to them. It tells them to go to where you eat dinner every night, so the second card would be on the table.
If you’re making your own scavenger hunt, here are some ideas: under the Christmas tree, in the front porch mailbox, tucked inside a Christmas card, hanging on the Christmas lights, next to hot cocoa or a candy cane, or hiding in a snow globe.
Set up the hunt. Place the first clue in your child’s hand and let the fun begin. Each clue leads to the next until they reach the final clue and the special surprise.
Pick a prize. The end of the hunt could be a small present, non-candy treats, a Christmas craft, or even gift cards for older kids.
Pro tip: Use a time limit for friendly competition with siblings or cousins.
Fun Christmas Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Here are some fun and festive ideas for your own Christmas scavenger hunt:
- Christmas Eve Hunt: Hide Christmas Eve pajamas, a new Christmas book, or hot cocoa packets as the final clue.
- Christmas Morning Hunt: Make opening Christmas gifts even more magical by having kids follow the clues to find their big gifts.
- Christmas Party Hunt: A great addition to a classroom or family Christmas party—kids can complete challenges, collect holiday items, or race to the last clue.
- Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt: Hand out printable scavenger hunts for spotting festive lights and decorations around the neighborhood. Perfect for warmer climates, too!
- Advent Scavenger Hunt Clues: Hide a new clue each day leading up to Christmas to make December full of holiday spirit.
Creative Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clue Ideas
Your Christmas scavenger hunt riddles can be as simple or as tricky as you’d like. Here are a few ideas from ours:
“The hunt has begun, let’s get started, alright?
Go find your first clue where we eat every night!”
“Let it snow, let it snow, we’re cozy all day,
Now check where our shoes are tucked away!”
“Look by the Christmas tree where lights shine so bright,
your final clue might be hiding in sight.”
Want more inspiration? Check out our 50 Family Christmas Activities at Home (Perfect for Christmas Day) and Christmas Songs for Kids—both are great ways to mix in more festive fun!
What You’ll Need for an Indoor Christmas Scavenger Hunt
This Christmas scavenger hunt game doesn’t require much! Here are some easy ways to set it up:
- Free printable clue cards (download ours at the end of this post)
- Scissors and tape
- Hiding places around the house
- A surprise for the end of the hunt (like candy canes or small holiday treats, non-candy treats, small toys or even Christmas crafts!)
- Fun Christmas music like “Jingle Bells” playing in the background to add to the holiday spirit
Grab Your Free Christmas Scavenger Hunt Printable
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This set of fun Christmas scavenger hunt printables is for personal use only. Please no commercial use or reselling.
✨ Don’t Miss These Other Fun Family Holiday Posts:
- 50 Advent Calendar Activities for Toddlers
- Fun Christmas Party Games Left Right Story
- The Best Christmas Books for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Little Kids
Final Thoughts: A Fun Christmas Activity for Kids
A Christmas scavenger hunt printable is one of the best ways to bring joy, laughter, and a little holiday magic into your home this year. Whether you set it up on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, or during a holiday party, it’s a fun way for kids of all ages to connect with the season.
So grab your free printable scavenger hunts, set out the clue cards, and watch your kids light up with excitement as they follow the Christmas scavenger hunt clues to the final clue.
Wishing you a season full of laughter, joy, and Merry Christmas moments!
The holidays will be over in the blink of an eye, so use the image below to PIN this post to easily find it when you need it!
