Christmas day scavenger hunt

[canadianjovigirl]

I remember reading a lot about those of you who send your kids on a scavenger hunt to find their gift. Since my kids asked for a more expensive gift this year i thought that would be fun to do, but needing some help on where to hide the gift and what kind of clues to do.........

Anybody done this that can help out????

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

My mom did this for us when we were growing up. The only thing is that she didn't intend to do it annually. However, we enjoyed it so much that it became an annual tradition. (You've been warned!)

I suspect she worked backwards. She hid the gift in various locations each year. Some locations were the the bathtub, clothes dryer, and car trunk. The last clue would lead to the gift, but clues were hidden all over. The unique thing about our scavenger hunt is the clues were actually Bible verses. She started with a short riddle or poem she wrote, then there were be a verse to look up. If the verse said something about bread of life, we would look for the bread to find the next clue. If it said something about water, we could look for the next clue near the sink, in the fridge, near a picture of a water scene, etc. She usually did about 8 clues. I suppose you could write a little riddle or use a poem or a quote if you didn't want to go the verse route. I'm sure she used a concordance to help her pick the verses! I know she kept a cheat sheet for herself...both so she knew where to hide the clues as well as if we were struggling she could give us a hint.

Since there were two of us kids, the clues were color coded. If we found a clue in a different color, we had to pretend we didn't see it. (Incidentally, we were assigned colors at Easter too, so we found an equal number of eggs...we are 5 years apart in age.)

Our Christmas morning tradition would be to open stockings first, then eat breakfast, then opened under the tree gifts, then we were sent back to our rooms while she hid the clues. Then we would solve the clues to find the last gift. I think the first year it was a large gift, but since she ended up doing it annually, it was not always a huge gift.

 

[zoemurr]

do you want picture clues or worded clues?
I do this on Easter and have done different things.

I have gotten a small puzzle and put the location on the back. They had to find all the pieces (at Easter I hid them in plastic eggs) and put it together

Or else you can do written clues:
"You won't need this bag all week
Go inside and take a peek" (Leave the next clue in their backpack..)

"Now go wash your face and see
Where the next clue might be" (bathroom sink)

The other thing I have done is picture clues. Take very close up pictures of things around your house. The clock on the cable box, a doll's eye etc. When they find one thing it has a picture for the next. If you do it properly some of them should be very hard to figure out

I've also done a string hunt. Get a whole thing of yarn. Tie one end to their doorknob. Weave it all over the house and end at the gift. Over, under and through any small spots you can.

Have fun!

 

[drcmk]

One year I hid a series of clues all over the house. Each clue was a super-close up photo of the place where the next clue was hidden--like a photo of the drawer pull on the kitchen cupboard or the lace on the edge of a throw pillow (and hide the clue under the pillow), even a photo of part of the title of a book (and hide the next clue inside the book).

 

[tapplebapple]

Yes, be warned. It will likely be the ABSOLUTE BEST PART OF CHRISTMAS and it will be requested year after year. I started doing a hunt for my DD11 6 years ago and we are still going strong. The other day while we were eating breakfast, I asked her if she still wanted a scavenger hunt this year (just to play with her) and she said YES! I then said, so I guess when you move out some day, I can stop, right? And her response was awesome, "No Mom, you will need to do it for my kids"

So, I have done a variety of the following:

• close up pictures of things - the toilet handle was the most challenging one I ever did, it was so much fun because she just couldn't figure it out
• riddles
• codes - made with a key using a regular font and a wingdings font, so a regular A = a wingdings shape you get when you hit the A key. Then I type the next location using all wingdings and she has to decode it
• rebus puzzles
• word search
• word scrambles
• One year I focused on stuff she was learning in school, like math problems set up with multiple choice answers. The answers would look like closet = 32 and bed = 54, etc
• I had fun with one last year that used math too. Ex, Number of Windows + Number of Pillows - Number of Drawers in Dresser, etc. and then multiple choice answers like above
• backwards writing that you can read using the mirror (this one works great for the clue you find in the bathroom)
• take a picture of the location and then cut the picture up into puzzle pieces that need to be put together to get the answer
• a map with an X marks the spot location
• directions like take 4 steps forward, turn right, take 6 steps forward, pat your tummy 5 times, turn left
• when she was learning about rulers in school, I hid one of the clues under the tree in a box and gave her the measurements of the box and she had to measure all of the presents to find the one to open with the clue inside

I always put the first box next to her bed, so it is the first thing she sees when she wakes up in the morning (but I do say that she can't look at it until it is after 6am). And she is allowed to open that one and the clue inside always sends her to my room (she hasn't figured that out yet) so I can make sure I am awake to watch, help and take pictures.

This usually takes me a good portion of Christmas Eve to plan and organize. But I think I love it as much as she does.

 

[emma'smom]

I just finished working on our's a few minutes ago. The "big gift" is really big--- it's a Cruise (on RCCL--- DCL wasn't in the budget). Anyway, the clues are as follows and at each site they will find an envelope with a picture in it and the directions to the next clue:


(1)This gift will be grand....but will take the job of a sleuth
So get thinking, get cracking...don’t be a goof!

The first clue, you will find, isn’t so hard if you look....
You’ll find it hidden where in the summer we cook!
(inside grill)

(2) The next place where you might try your luck
Is a place that some think is babyish because it is full of ducks
(kid's bathroom that they have now declared to babyish--but we haven't yet remodeled)

(3) The next clue means a bit more of search
Look for the outerwear that dd9 wears to church (in pocket of her dressy coat)


(4) On most days, the U.S. Postal Service is in charge of this venue
But today....it is the next place you’ll find a clue! (mail box outside)


(5) In this game it is important to be “wry”.....look for the next clue where put the clothes so that they can dry! (clothes dryer)


(6)Well you’ve found this clue....but now it is time to use your brain and not your looks
Check out the place where dd6 takes a stack of books (her bed)

(7) The final clue will force you to think...
Just where is it that Mommy makes her morning drink?
(Keurig Coffee Machine)


You’ve found all 7 clues...but that is just the beginning of this little holiday test...
Now you must figure out these pictures to find out the rest...
It may take you a few minutes....or it may take the whole day....
It’s how you think and the words you know that will reveal how well you play!


So then in each envelope is a picture clue---they have to use these clues to figure out the final gift.

Clues:
Picture of Queen of England (Royal)
Picture of a Car (car)
Picture of a person's ribs (rib)
Picture of green beans (bean)
Picture of someone saying "shh" with finger to her lips
Picture of a hip socket

Get it: Royal Car-rib-bean Sh-hip

It'll take them all day!

 

[tinatark]

We just decided TONIGHT to do this again! LOL - we've done them many times but were told our boys were "too old"... tonight they realized that they weren't! Here are our clues:

Don’t worry; don't fear -
this is not your final gift this year.
Clues will lead you to something good.
Work together and search as hard as you can,
then if you will, just chill.(refrigerator)


That was quick, you’re pretty smart.
We three trees are not far apart. (three decorative trees)

Not bad,
You found me, what a joy.
For your next clue, look near dad’s favorite toy. (big screen tv)


For these clues, there’s no fee.
Look for your next clue near the big key. (ds room - he has a "key" lamp)

Don’t worry, don’t pout,
Look for a clue in everyone’s
favorite wet hangout. (our shower - boys find reasons to have to shower in there!)

Good job!
Now don’t be a Hater....
Goooo Gators!! (ds2 room - Gator light)

Don’t scratch your butt,
Don’t pick your noses,
everyone knows firefighters use their hoses. (BIL was a firefighter, we have a couple of memorial plaques for him. Nice to incorporate him into the day!)


Good job, now here’s the thing...
I am the keeper of the bling! (my jewelry box)

You’re almost there.
Now don’t retreat.
Look in the place dad has things to cover his feet. (dad's shoe cubbies)

Ah ha, you've found the final clue.
This year you really raised the bar.
Your gifts are waiting Just for you.
Go to the place we park our car! (garage)