Santa Scavenger Hunt Printable: 20 Clues & Checklist

A scavenger hunt is the closest thing to real Christmas magic you can stage at home. Clues hidden around the house, a trail that winds from room to room, and a prize waiting at the end — children remember a good scavenger hunt long after they forget what was in the stocking.

Below is a complete printable-style Santa scavenger hunt: a 20-item checklist, ten rhyming clues, and versions for indoors, outdoors, and Christmas morning.

How to Play a Santa Scavenger Hunt

There are two ways to run it. The checklist hunt: hand each child the list of 20 items below and let them search the house, the yard, or the neighborhood for each one, checking items off as they find them. The clue hunt: hide the ten rhyming clues in order around the house, so each clue leads to the next hiding spot, and the final clue leads to the prize. The checklist version suits younger kids and big groups; the clue version suits older kids who love a puzzle.

Set the rules before you start: which rooms are in bounds, whether the yard counts, and whether teamwork is allowed. For mixed ages, pair a younger child with an older one — the older child reads the clues, the younger child does the hunting, and both feel like heroes.

The 20-Item Checklist

A candy cane
A stocking
A snowman decoration
A star tree topper
A jingle bell
A wrapped present
A reindeer ornament
A Christmas card
A pinecone
A string of lights
A gingerbread man
A Santa hat
A snowflake decoration
A Christmas book
A mug for cocoa
A bow or ribbon
An ornament shaped like an animal
A candle
A wreath
Something red and something green, found together

Ten Rhyming Clues (Hide in Order)

“Your hunt begins where mornings start, with toast and jam and loving heart.” (Kitchen)
“I keep your food both cold and sweet, look inside for a frosty treat.” (Fridge)
“You sit on me to watch TV, I am soft as soft can be.” (Sofa or favorite chair)
“I hold the stories that you love, on a shelf, not up above.” (Bookshelf)
“I wash away the day’s delight, you visit me each morning and night.” (Bathroom)
“I keep your shoes in a neat little row, by the door where the cold winds blow.” (Shoe rack or entryway)
“I twinkle bright upon the tree, count my lights: one, two, three.” (Christmas tree)
“I hang above the fire’s warm glow, filled with treats from head to toe.” (Stocking by the fireplace)
“Under me your presents rest, Santa chose this spot as best.” (Under the tree)
“Your prize is near, your hunt is done — look where the morning sun has shone.” (Windowsill, or wherever the prize is hidden)

Adjust the clues to your own home: swap in your family’s rooms and hiding spots, and keep the rhymes simple so younger hunters can follow them with a little help. The best clue is one that makes a child gasp when they work it out.

Christmas Morning Version

For Christmas morning, Santa himself can leave the hunt. The first clue sits in each child’s stocking or under the tree, and the trail winds through the house to the main present. Keep the clues short on Christmas morning — excitement is already high, and a hunt that drags will frustrate more than it delights. Ten clues is plenty; five is fine for very young children. End with the prize in an obvious, triumphant spot, and let the finder shout the discovery.

Outdoor Version

Take the checklist outside: a pinecone, a red berry, a bird’s footprint in snow, a house with the most lights, a snowman in a neighbor’s yard, an icicle, a wreath on a door. Outdoor hunts work beautifully on a winter walk, and they burn off exactly the energy that builds up indoors on Christmas Eve. Dress warmly, bring a grown-up, and stay on sidewalks and paths.

Tips for a Smooth Hunt

A great hunt is mostly preparation. Hide the clues the night before, after children are asleep, and walk the route yourself once to check that every clue is findable and every hiding spot is fair — a clue hidden too well stops the game cold. Keep a spare copy of the clue list for yourself, so you can give a gentle nudge if a team gets truly stuck. Set a time limit for older kids, but never for younger ones; the goal is delight, not pressure. And build in a rest point halfway: a clue that leads to the cocoa station, where hunters refuel before the second half.

Prizes Worth Hunting For

The prize does not need to be big — it needs to feel earned. A small wrapped gift, a bag of candy canes, a Christmas book, or a “choose tonight’s movie” coupon all work beautifully. For a group hunt, give every hunter a small prize at the end and the winner a slightly bigger one, so nobody leaves empty-handed. The real prize, as every parent knows, is the story children will retell for years: the year Santa hid the clues and they found them all.

Want a Ready-to-Print Scavenger Hunt Pack?

If you want a full printable scavenger hunt pack with clue cards, checklists, and item cards ready to cut out, visit the Fukroo shop on Etsy. The Black Friday Mega Sale is on now with 50% off storewide.