Christmas Scavenger Hunt: 30 Rhyming Clues for Kids, Teens and Adults (With Answers)

A Christmas scavenger hunt turns a slow December afternoon into a race around the house full of giggles. It is also one of the best ways to hand out presents on Christmas morning, because every clue builds the excitement. This guide gives you 30 original rhyming clues with answers, picture clues for little ones, a photo hunt for teens and adults, and a simple 15-minute setup plan.

All clues use places found in most homes, so you can copy them straight onto cards tonight.

Quick answer: To run a Christmas scavenger hunt, choose 8 to 12 clues, write each on a card, hide every card in the place the previous clue points to, and put a small prize or gift at the final spot. Give the first clue to the players and let them race.

How to Set Up a Christmas Scavenger Hunt in 15 Minutes

1. Pick your clues. Choose 8 to 12 from the lists below. Use fewer for young children.
2. Write them on cards. Number the cards on the back so you do not mix them up.
3. Hide them in reverse order. Clue 2 goes where clue 1 points, clue 3 goes where clue 2 points, and so on.
4. Place the prize. The last clue should lead to a gift, a box of treats or the main present.
5. Hand over clue 1 and start a timer if you want a race.

Tip: For two teams, make two sets of cards in different colours with the clues in a different order so teams do not follow each other.

Indoor Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues (With Answers)

These rhyming riddles work for ages six and up. Answers are in bold.

1. I’m covered in lights and I stand by the wall, my branches hold baubles, both big ones and small. (Christmas tree)
2. I keep the milk cold and the leftovers too, open my door for the next festive clue. (Fridge)
3. I get very hot when the cookies go in, look inside me but don’t touch, just grin. (Oven, with an adult nearby)
4. Hang me up high on the night before Christmas, I’m stuffed full of treats, I’m a sock not a dress. (Stocking)
5. You climb into me when the day is all done, your next clue is under my pillow, have fun. (Bed)
6. I spin and I swish and I clean all your clothes, look in my drum where the next clue goes. (Washing machine)
7. I show you your face every day when you brush, look behind me, but don’t make a rush. (Bathroom mirror)
8. I’m full of good stories with pages to turn, look on my shelves for the next thing to learn. (Bookshelf)
9. I glow with cartoons and films for the season, look under me now, you’ll soon see the reason. (TV)
10. Sit on my cushions and put up your feet, the next clue is hiding beneath my soft seat. (Sofa)
11. Shoes, boots and slippers all line up in rows, find me by the door where everyone goes. (Shoe rack)
12. I hold all the bowls and the cups that you use, open my door and you won’t want to lose. (Kitchen cupboard)
13. Splish and splash, I’m full of bubbles at night, peek in me now, but keep the tap tight. (Bathtub)
14. I tell you the time with my hands or my lights, check close beside me to keep the hunt right. (Clock)
15. I keep your feet warm when it’s chilly at night, look in the drawer where I’m folded just right. (Sock drawer)

Outdoor Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues

If you have a garden or yard, take your Christmas scavenger hunt outside. Wrap each card in a sandwich bag in case of rain or snow.

1. Letters and cards come to visit me here, open my flap, your next clue is near. (Mailbox or letterbox)
2. I’m round and I’m rubber, I take you to school, I lean by the shed when the weather is cool. (Bike)
3. Build me with snow and give me a nose, the next clue is waiting right under my toes. (Snowman, or a garden ornament if there is no snow)
4. The car sleeps inside me when it’s time for bed, check by my door for the clue up ahead. (Garage)
5. I hold all the rubbish from inside the house, check by my lid, be as quiet as a mouse. (Outdoor bin)
6. Birds come to visit me looking for seed, the next clue is hanging just where they feed. (Bird feeder)
7. I’m green and I’m prickly and I keep my leaves in winter, check under my branches for your next hint. (Holly bush or evergreen shrub)

Christmas Morning Scavenger Hunt Clues for Presents

A Christmas scavenger hunt is a fun way to reveal one big present. Use these clues to build up to the final gift.

1. Santa came down here, or so people say, look by the place where he made his way. (Fireplace or front door if you have no fireplace)
2. Before you open presents, you need to be fed, look where we eat our breakfast and bread. (Kitchen table)
3. Rudolph and friends love a carrot or two, check by the plate where we left them a few. (Santa’s treat plate)
4. Wrapping and ribbon and tape all in one, look where I’m kept when the wrapping is done. (Gift wrap box or cupboard)
5. Your final surprise is wrapped up with care, look somewhere cosy that you’d never dare. (Final gift spot, such as a parent’s wardrobe)

Picture Christmas Scavenger Hunt for Toddlers

Children under five cannot read rhymes, so give their Christmas scavenger hunt pictures instead of words. Print or draw a simple picture of each place, such as a tree, a fridge, a teddy bear or a bed. Keep the hunt to five or six stops and hide each picture at a height they can reach. Small rewards like a sticker at every stop keep little ones going.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt for Teens and Adults

Older players want a Christmas scavenger hunt with more challenge. Try a photo hunt instead of hidden cards. Split into teams, set a 30-minute timer and award points for photos of the following:

1. A team selfie with a stranger’s festive jumper (ask permission first). (5 points)
2. Something shaped like a candy cane that is not a candy cane. (3 points)
3. The whole team recreating a famous Christmas film scene. (10 points)

Add your own tasks such as finding a house with more than 100 lights, singing a carol to a neighbour or spotting a reindeer decoration. The team with the most points wins.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Printable Checklist

Prefer a simple find-it list? Give each player a sheet with these items to tick off around the house:

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Prize Ideas

• Chocolate coins or a small bag of sweets
• A new pair of Christmas pyjamas
• A festive book or puzzle
• A voucher to choose the family film tonight
• The main Christmas present for a morning hunt

If you are planning a full party, add a scavenger hunt round to our 25 Christmas party games, or follow it with a round of Christmas bingo.

Tips for a Smooth Christmas Scavenger Hunt

• Read the clues aloud for younger players and let older kids help.
• Keep it safe. Avoid clues near stairs, hot ovens or anything breakable.
• Have a helper at the end to take photos of the big moment.
• Hide a back-up clue with an adult in case a card goes missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many clues should a Christmas scavenger hunt have?

Five or six clues suit toddlers, 8 to 12 suit primary school children, and 12 to 15 work well for teens and adults.

How do you make a Christmas scavenger hunt harder?

Use riddles without rhymes, add a code to crack at the end, or require a photo at each stop.

Can I do a Christmas scavenger hunt in a small flat?

Yes. Use small hiding spots like drawers, cushions, shoes and cupboards. You only need a few rooms.

Final Thoughts

A Christmas scavenger hunt costs nothing, takes minutes to set up and gives your family a memory they will ask to repeat every year. Copy your favourite clues onto cards, hide them tonight and watch the excitement build.