Okay so if you’ve read my blog ever before, you probably know that I’m a huge fan of scavenger hunt ideas. Like huge. I’ve done tons of clue based scavenger hunts (get my Christmas scavenger hunt clues here!) as well as tons of what I call seek and find scavenger hunts. This year with it being what it is, I thought it’d be fun to add a generic seek and find style Christmas scavenger hunt to my collection. I already have a Christmas light scavenger hunt but thought a generic one would be helpful, just some more fun Christmas activities to add to your list! You can do this at home, outside while you’re looking at decorations, or even as one of a couple Christmas party games. And I tried to make it universal enough that the entire family could play – not just kids.
Supplies
You really don’t need much for this (or any scavenger hunt). Just get together:
Scavenger hunt printable – one per person/team if they’ll be doing it separatelyPen/pencil to cross things outPrize (if you want to do this as a competition team versus team)
If you want to use this again and again, I recommend printing on white card stock then laminating. I have this laminator and these laminating pouches that I use all the time. They’re super easy to use and work great!
How to Play
Just like with my indoor scavenger hunt and nature scavenger hunt, you are basically just looking for the things on the list. Give everyone playing a card (or they can play together), and they cross things off as they find them. Some of my favorite places to find things includes:
Around the houseOn the tree In the backyardIn the neighborhood (or you could just do this neighborhood scavenger hunt) On a walk or a drive
As players find things, they cross them off the list. Keep going until you’ve found all of the items on the list or all of the items that you’re able to find. Most of them should be found in a house with typical Christmas decorations, but I know sometimes people may not have everything I do.
Make it Virtual
I’ve had a number of people ask me for a Christmas version of my virtual scavenger hunt, and this is my solution for that! This seek and find Christmas scavenger hunt can be used in person and virtual! Follow the instructions in this virtual scavenger hunt post but use this holiday scavenger hunt list instead of those generic ones! Easy peasy and perfect for classroom party fun, family fun, or even office Christmas parties where everyone is at home! If you’re doing it virtual, let people get creative with the things they bring back to the screen. Snowflake could be a snow globe, a paper cut snowflake, or even a snowflake on a book! Or maybe even a snow cone! YUM!
Scavenger Hunts with Larger Groups
If you want to do this Christmas scavenger hunt with a small or large group, I recommend a couple of things to make it more fun for everyone. This would make it great for your next Christmas party!
Split into small groups and see if each small group can find all the items on the listCompete (skip this if it involves young kids) to see who can all the items firstHave groups either bring back the items or take a picture of the items as “proof” Have a prize for the winning team plus participation prizes for anyone who finishes/tries Set a time limit and a meeting place for when the hunt is over
Expert Tips
Laminate the scavenger hunt and use dry erase markers to mark things off as you go. Then instead of throwing away the scavenger hunt, do it again later in the season or next year! Do this scavenger hunt early in the season then a Christmas light scavenger hunt (drive around with some hot chocolate cupcakes) later on! Kids will never even notice that some of the items on them are similar. Make it a competition and have people take photos of the items they find to prove that they found them! First person to return to the house with all of the items (and photos of the items) wins a prize!
More Christmas Games for Kids
Reindeer huntChristmas name that tuneChristmas kisses Christmas trivia gameChristmas bingoChristmas would you rather questionsChristmas word searchChristmas i-spy
Download the Printable
Enter your first name and email address in the form below to get the printable PDF. You will receive a link to download the PDF to your email within minutes. If you do not see the form below, click here to get to it. If you would not fill out the form, you can get a copy in my shop here. The PDF will include:
Instructions Half-sheet games (2 to a page)Full-sheet game
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