A scavenger hunt keeps children busy on a cold December afternoon, and it takes about ten minutes to set up. Each clue tells the children where the next clue is hidden. The last one leads to a small prize, such as a candy cane or a new book. Below are 20 rhyming clues for children who read, ideas for little ones who cannot read yet, and 8 harder riddles for ages 8 to 12.
How to set up the hunt
- Write or print the clues below on small cards and number them.
- Give clue 1 to the children. Hide clue 2 in the place clue 1 describes, clue 3 in the place clue 2 describes, and so on.
- Put the prize in the place the last clue describes.
- No bathtub or no washing machine? Skip that clue and hide the next one where the skipped clue would have gone.
20 rhyming clues and where to hide the next one
| Clue | Hide the next clue |
|---|---|
| 1. I'm cold inside and full of food. Open my door, the next clue's good! | in the fridge |
| 2. At night you rest your sleepy head. Look under me, upon the bed! | under a pillow |
| 3. Splash and bubbles, scrub-a-dub. Find the next clue in the tub! | in the bathtub |
| 4. You sit on me to watch a show. Check under my cushions, down below! | under a sofa cushion |
| 5. I'm green and bright with lights that glow. Look underneath, where presents go! | under the Christmas tree |
| 6. We sit at me for every meal. Look under me, the clue is real! | under the kitchen table |
| 7. You wear us out to play in snow. Look inside us, toe to toe! | in a shoe by the door |
| 8. I hold the stories that you read. Look on my shelf for the clue you need! | on a bookshelf |
| 9. I wash your socks and spin around. Look on my top, a clue is found! | on the washing machine |
| 10. Your teddy, blocks and cars live here. Look inside, the clue is near! | in the toy box |
| 11. You look through me to watch the snow. Check my sill, the clue's below! | on a windowsill |
| 12. Turn me on to wash your hands. Right beside me, the next clue stands! | next to the sink |
| 13. Friends knock on me to say hello. Look by me now, and on you go! | by the front door |
| 14. I keep you warm when cold winds blow. Check my pockets, high and low! | in a coat pocket |
| 15. Click me on when it gets dark. Look under me, that's your mark! | under a lamp |
| 16. I hang up high for Christmas treats. Look inside for a clue, not sweets! | in a Christmas stocking |
| 17. Beep beep! I warm your food up fast. Look on my top, this clue's not last! | on the microwave |
| 18. After your bath you dry with me. Look in my folds, what do you see? | in a towel |
| 19. Brrr! I'm colder than the fridge. Ask a grown-up, peek a smidge! | in the freezer |
| 20. The last clue! Look down low, beneath your bed. Your Christmas prize is there, just like I said! | under your bed |
With all 20 clues, the prize goes under the bed. Using only the first 10? Put it in the toy box.
Picture clues for little ones who cannot read yet
Children of 3 to 5 can join in when each card shows a picture of the place instead of a rhyme. Say the name of the place together when they open a card, then let them run to it. Keep the hunt to 6 or 8 places in rooms they know well, and hide the cards where they can see them without climbing.
The pictures on these cards were made with an AI image tool.
Harder clues for older kids, ages 8 to 12
Older children like riddles that make them think. Each answer is a place in the house; open the answer to see where to hide the next clue.
- I have hands but I cannot clap, and I tell you when it is time for bed.
Answer
a clock. Hide the next clue behind a clock. - I have keys but I open no locks.
Answer
a keyboard or a piano. Hide the next clue under the keyboard or on the piano. - The more of these you take, the more you leave behind you.
Answer
footsteps. Hide the next clue under the doormat. - I go up and down all day, but I never move.
Answer
the stairs. Hide the next clue on the bottom stair. - I have many teeth, but I never bite.
Answer
a comb. Hide the next clue next to a comb. - I am full of holes, but I still hold water.
Answer
a sponge. Hide the next clue by the kitchen sponge. - I have four legs and a back, but I never walk.
Answer
a chair. Hide the next clue under a chair. - I have a screen but I am not a window, and I show you stories every night.
Answer
a TV. Hide the next clue behind the TV.
Questions parents ask
How many clues do I need?
About 8 to 10 for children under 6, and 15 to 20 for older children. Fewer, quicker clues keep little ones from getting bored.
How long does a hunt take?
Ten minutes to hide the clues, then 15 to 30 minutes of hunting, longer if several children take turns reading.
Where should the prize go?
In the place the last clue describes. A small wrapped book, a candy cane, Christmas pajamas or a family movie night all work.
The printable hunt
Our Christmas Scavenger Hunt has all 20 rhyming clues as cut-out cards, the same 20 places as picture cards for little ones, 4 blank cards for your own clues, a setup list to tick off as you hide them, and a certificate for the winners. 15 pages in US Letter and A4, no year printed. The pictures in the printable were made with an AI image tool.
Get the Christmas Scavenger Hunt, $3
More for the holidays: Christmas trivia with answers, five free Christmas bingo cards and free Christmas worksheets.
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