Christmas Present Scavenger Hunt
Hide the cards after bedtime. Preview the hunt free. The PDF is emailed when it is ready.
A big present is more fun to find than to be handed. Our hunts are birthday treasure hunts with no Christmas theme, but the trail works the same on Christmas morning: ten clue cards lead from the first spot you pick to the last one, and the last one can be the closet where the present waits. The pirate hunt fits best, since Percy the parrot already ends at a treasure. If your child would rather solve a case or follow a little dragon, the detective and fairy tale hunts work the same way. Preview the cards free before you pay.
How the hunt works
- You choose every hiding spot. Enter the spots you plan to use, put the present at the last one, and the cards lead there in order. A closet, a room with a door or a spot behind the couch under a blanket all work as the end of the trail.
- The hunt is personalized with your child's name, which appears on the cover, the setup sheet and the treasure card. In between are ten clue cards for the spots you pick, and you print it at home on Letter or A4 paper.
- Two reading levels. Explorer uses a picture of each spot and a short rhyme an adult reads aloud, for about ages 4 to 6. Detective adds riddles and small puzzles for about 7 to 10. Siblings of different ages can share one route, with an older child reading for a younger one.
- It doubles as a December birthday hunt. If your child has a birthday near the holidays, the same hunt gives the birthday its own activity, separate from Christmas.
Sample clue flavor
Front of the tree
Ahoy, the voyage starts down low. Check the shoe rack, then off you go.
Shoe rack
Boots in a row, like sailors at sea. Lift the couch cushion and what will you see?
Couch
You found the couch, now sail on through. The laundry basket holds a clue.
Laundry basket
Socks and shirts, a stormy heap. Go to the closet and take a peek.
Hiding spots for a Christmas present hunt
- Front of the tree, under a wrapped present
- Shoe rack or boot tray by the door
- Under one couch cushion
- Bottom shelf, beside a picture book
- Bathroom counter, never inside a cabinet
- Laundry basket, on top in plain sight
- Inside a stocking, once it is off the mantel
- Closet floor, where the present waits
Preview the detective hunt. Milo the fox in a checkered cap. A case from room to room that ends where you hid the present.
Preview the fairy tale hunt. Ember the little dragon. A quest through the house for kids who like castles and dragons.
Read the Christmas present hunt setup
More Christmas and December guides
Christmas scavenger hunt for kids, Christmas present treasure hunt, Winter birthday party ideas indoors, Birthday present treasure hunt.
Create this hunt. Free preview, then print at home for $29.99.
Want a free printable to try? Get the free printable (five clue cards and a certificate). We email you the download link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Christmas-themed?
No. The hunts are birthday treasure hunts with themes like pirate, detective and fairy tale. There is no Christmas theme. The clue trail still works on Christmas morning, because you choose the spots and the last one can be where the present waits.
Can the last card lead to a present instead of a treasure box?
Yes. Put the present at the last hiding spot you enter. The treasure card is the final card in the set, so place it on or beside the present.
What ages is it for?
Ages 4 to 10. Explorer, with pictures and rhymes read aloud, suits about 4 to 6. Detective, with riddles and small puzzles, suits about 7 to 10.
Can siblings share one hunt?
Yes. One set of cards works for a group. Pair a younger child with an older one, so the little one finds each card and the older one reads it aloud.
Is it safe to hide cards around the tree?
Put the first card at the front of the tree, under a present, and never in the branches or near the lights. Keep candles, the fireplace and plugged-in lights off the route.
Does it work for a December birthday?
Yes. It is a birthday hunt first, personalized with your child's name, so a birthday near the holidays gets its own activity.
How does the preview and pricing work?
Preview the theme character and two hiding-spot illustrations for free, with sample clue text. The final PDF arranges the artwork along your route. The full hunt, 10 stops plus a cover and a treasure card, is $29.99 and prints as a PDF on Letter or A4 paper.
All hunt themes
- Pirate Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Space Explorer Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Fairy Tale Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Jungle Safari Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Dinosaur Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Mystery Detective Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Under the Sea Birthday Treasure Hunt
- K-Pop Star Birthday Treasure Hunt
- Halloween Birthday Scavenger Hunt
- October Birthday Scavenger Hunt
- Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt for Cousins