A Christmas scavenger hunt with free printable clues is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The hard work has already been done for you—just print, cut, and hide the clues to create a memorable game for family and friends.
Everyone loves a bit of laughter and surprise, and a Christmas scavenger hunt delivers both. This simple activity turns ordinary holiday moments into a playful adventure: hide clues around the house, set participants loose, and enjoy the excitement as they race to find the next hint and the final prize.
Note: I’m proud to be partnering with the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and The Women Bloggers for three days of creative holiday ideas. This is a sponsored post; all opinions are my own and I love these concepts!
Day 3… Christmas Scavenger Hunt With Free Printable Clues
You can mix and match clues to suit your group. Use a handful for a short hunt or use them all for a longer, scavenger-style adventure that sends players all over the house. The printable sets include straightforward clues, rhyming riddles, and blank templates so you can personalize the hunt for your family.
For adults, I suggest a playful twist: tuck a small prize—like a scratch-off lottery ticket—with each clue. It doubles the fun and keeps the momentum going as players uncover instant surprises along the way.
Watching family members dash from one hiding spot to the next is one of the best parts. If you include small lottery tickets or other tiny treats, leave a coin with the first clue so participants can scratch as they go. With a dozen clues, the game can stretch into a long, laughter-filled tradition.
There are multiple printable sets to choose from: themed clues that pair nicely with small gifts, general clues ideal for hiding cash or small items, and blank printable sheets so you can write your own creative hints. Choose the combination that best suits your crowd and the amount of time you want the hunt to last.
Print the free printable scavenger hunt clues shown above as PDFs from the original creator to get started. The printable sets include clues that work well with scratch-off tickets and a few designed especially for hiding cash or small gifts.
These clue sheets are flexible—place them in obvious spots for young children, or hide them in trickier places for teens and adults. Use furniture nooks, kitchen drawers, the freezer, coat pockets, and holiday décor to keep the search interesting and varied.
Combine the themed sets with the blank clue pages to create a multi-stage hunt. For example, use eight prepared clues for several quick stops, then add four custom rhymes or inside-joke clues to finish the game with a memorable reveal. This approach gives you 12 hiding spots and plenty of opportunities to surprise participants with little treats along the way.
Blank printable clues are perfect for adding personalized riddles, family in-jokes, or rhymes tailored to the person hunting. If you enjoy wordplay, craft a few rhyming lines to lead players to unique hiding places like a favorite book, the cookie tin, or a holiday stocking.
It’s easy to set up: print the clue pages, cut them out, hide them in the chosen locations, and start the hunt. Encourage players to take photos of their finds and share the fun on social media with your favorite holiday hashtag. The shared pictures make for great memories and let everyone enjoy the creativity of your scavenger setup.
If you plan to include lottery tickets, check local rules and guidelines about prizes or replay opportunities before you begin. Otherwise, substitute small candies, gift cards, holiday trinkets, or themed keepsakes to keep the game festive and family-friendly.
Most of all, have fun. A Christmas scavenger hunt with printable clues is a low-prep, high-impact activity that brings laughter, surprises, and a little friendly competition to your holiday gatherings. Print, hide, and enjoy the smiles.