Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues for Kids (12 Free Rhymes)

By Cedar & Ledger

A Christmas morning scavenger hunt turns one gift into an event: kids follow a trail of clues around the house, and the last clue leads to the present. It costs nothing but paper, and it works well when the budget is tight, because the hunt itself is the fun. Below are 12 free clues you can copy, how to set the hunt up, and how to keep it inside your Christmas budget.

12 free Christmas scavenger hunt clues

Write each clue on a slip of paper and hide it at the spot named in the clue before it (the first clue is handed to the kids).

1. Christmas tree: "I'm green and tall with lights so bright, look under my branches for the next clue tonight."
2. Fridge: "I keep the milk for Santa cold, open my door and look where food is stored."
3. Oven or microwave: "I warm the cookies, I bake the bread, check inside me (careful!) for what's ahead."
4. Bathtub: "Splish and splash, bubbles galore, look in the place you wash, and you'll find more."
5. Washing machine: "Socks go round and round in me, peek inside and you will see."
6. Bookshelf: "Stories live here, row by row, find the clue where the books go."
7. Front door mat: "Wipe your boots before you come in, look under me to find the next win."
8. Pillow: "You rest your head on me each night, lift me up for the next clue in sight."
9. Shoe: "Put me on before you go out, check inside one, there's a clue no doubt."
10. Mailbox or letter tray: "Letters to Santa start right here, check the spot where mail appears."
11. Stocking: "I hang up high, I'm stuffed with treats, reach inside for your next feat."
12. Final spot (the gift): "You solved them all, you're on Santa's nice list, go look in the closet for a gift you'd have missed!"

Swap the last line for wherever the gift is hidden: the garage, the dryer or behind the couch.

How to set it up (10 minutes)

1. Pick the gift first. Choose the present the hunt ends at. It can be one you already bought; the hunt doesn't need its own gift.
2. Choose 6 to 12 spots. Six clues suits ages 3 to 5. Eight to twelve suits older kids.
3. Hide clues in reverse order. Start at the gift, then work back to the first clue so nothing is out of order.
4. Read for non-readers. Little ones can follow picture clues (draw the fridge, the tree) or an older sibling can read.
5. Siblings: give each child their own color of paper and their own trail, or have them take turns reading.

Keep it in the budget

The hunt is free, so the only cost is the gift at the end. Example (made-up numbers): two kids, one shared final gift of $25 that was already on the list. The hunt adds $0. If you add a small treat at a few stops (a candy cane, a sticker), give that a line: 6 stops x $0.50 = $3.

Write the final gift on your gift list like any other so it is not bought twice.

Tools that help

The Holiday Gift Budget tracks every child's gifts, stockings and extras in one place. The Letter to Santa & Kids Wish List Kit has printable letter pages kids enjoy on the same morning. See also our Christmas Eve box ideas and want, need, wear, read gift list.

Common questions

What age is a scavenger hunt for? Around 3 and up. Use picture clues for kids who can't read yet.

Can adults do one? Yes. Harder riddles or clues that lead to a gift card or a trip ticket work for teens and adults.

Indoors only? No. If the weather is fine, add the mailbox, the car or the porch.

Made with AI assistance and reviewed before release.

More ideas: 50 Christmas bucket list ideas for families.

Related template: Holiday Gift Budget. Also see: the christmas scavenger hunt template · the bundle christmas family fun 2026 template

See all Cedar & Ledger templates

Try the free holiday gift budget calculator →