This Christmas Treasure Hunt is the perfect way to add a little holiday cheer to your household! A fun activity that is super easy to set up, brings families together AND you score some major mom points! If you’re ready to get in the Christmas spirit, THIS is the activity for you!
I love this time of year – candy canes, paper snowflakes, Christmas songs and decorating graham cracker houses! Seriously, I love all of it!
When I started making this treasure hunt, I decided I wanted to cross Santa OFF the list (yikes, that sounds kinda harsh….!). We love Santa around here, but I wanted one less Santa related activity.
So here’s how I did it:
As far as prep for this treasure hunt, you need to gather a few things.
- 5 Candy Canes – These can be real or you can make them. They will be hidden with the appropriate clue in the free printable.
- Paper and Scissors – To make the snowflakes in the treasure hunt.
- Ending Activity or Gift – You can end the treasure hunt however you want–with a gift, a treat, or like I did…decorating graham cracker houses!
The Christmas dots. I placed them close to where I hid each clue, in a spot they would see them. I wasn’t sure how much they would notice or care for them until I saw my little guy do a Christmas jig– priceless, I tell ya, priceless!
Don’t number the dots. I didn’t number each clue so you can put this treasure hunt in any order you wish. If you do follow my directions, I have the hunt ending with the “surprise” under the tree.
For a successful night. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the Christmas treasure hunt. With the kids singing songs, making snowflakes and finding Christmas treasure hunt clues around the house, you don’t want to rush them through it. Take the time to enjoy every moment!
If you liked this treasure hunt, check out more of my free printable treasure hunts!
- Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunt!
- St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt
- BIRTHDAY PRESENT Treasure Hunt!
- Halloween Treasure Hunt
- “I AM THANKFUL” Service Treasure Hunt
I’d love to see how your treasure hunt goes! Tag me in your pictures on Instagram @happymoneysaver and use the hashtag #happymoneysaver!
So what are you waiting for? Click the link below to get started!
The ULTIMATE Christmas Treasure Hunt (Free Printable!)
This post was published on December 17th, 2014 and was updated on December 18th, 2020 with a new design for the printable clues! If you’d like to use the original printable design instead click here to download & print it here.
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
NaDell says
My mom used to set up a scavenger hunt every Christmas morning (six different ones actually-one for each kid!) We had little stockings in our rooms that she’d leave a clue and a quarter in. When we finally found our first gift, we’d learn which wrapping paper was ours (she didn’t use tags so we wouldn’t shake the gifts and guess what we got-each kid had their own wrapping paper instead.)
LOVE scavenger hunts.
(I have four kids and haven’t continued this fun tradition because it takes so much work, but it is fun!)
Stephanie says
I’ve done one every year for my granddaughter since she was old enough to read. Last year I wasn’t going to do one because she was 9 and I figured she’d outgrown them, but she actually asked me about a week before Christmas if I was going to do one. I said “well I didn’t think you’d want one still” She quickly said “yes I do!” Made my heart happy to know that she enjoys them so much. It’s become a tradition she loves so I will continue. I change them up each year to give her the challenge level that matches her age and add different spins to them
Stephanie says
Just wanted to add that I love the Reward questions you have on yours here. I’m adding this twist to the one i do for my granddaughter this year. Thanks for the inspiration.
I did the wrapping paper thing last year too and even my grown married kids enjoyed that. I put a piece of the paper in an envelope that I put in the bottom of their stockings. My grown kids still get very excited about their stockings lol. They love Christmas