Filed under Entertaining, Holidays, Kid Friendly on December 12th, 2008:
Create the Coolest Holiday Scavenger Hunt
You’re Cool.
Why Not Create the Coolest Holiday Scavenger Hunt?
Looking for a fun and engaging way to keep your kids busy this winter break? Why not plan a Christmas Scavenger Hunt? This is perfect even if you live in a small apartment in Richmond because you can have it outside. Not only are scavenger hunts great holiday games that children of all ages can enjoy, they’re free. All they require is a little time and imagination.
First: Make your list.
Since this is a Christmas Scavenger Hunt, try and stick with items that have a correlation with the holiday season (if you don’t celebrate Christmas, simply look around your homes for items that make this season special).
Here are some Christmas-related items for my scavenger hunt list…
…ornaments, acorns, candles, Christmas toys, cookie cutters, paper snowflakes, gingerbread house or man, stockings, eggnog, lights, holly, pine cones, figurines, a nativity scene, cookies, star, ribbon, poinsettias, cinnamon, tinsel, nutcracker, a cd, mistletoe, ivy, yarn, pictures, paintings, boxes, an advent calendar, a bow, Christmas tree, gloves, candy cane, any religious items
Second: Plan your hunt.
Decide where the hunt will occur. Inside your house? In the backyard? In your neighborhood? This choice will be largely affected by the age of your children and what the weather is like where you’re living. An outdoors Christmas scavenger hunt will look much different in San Diego as compared to Chicago.
Riddle or Rhyme? Once you choose a location, you need to organize your hunt. There are several ways to do this. One way is to put scavenger hunt clues (some sort of statement, riddle, or rhyme) on your items. When an item is found, it will lead to the next clue, until all of the clues are found. Of course, make sure your kids know how many items they’re looking for.
Treasure Hunt? Another way to organize your hunt is to create a treasure map that gives the kids ideas of where to find the items (this works particularly well with younger children). Use your imagination and come up with your own creative scavenger hunt ideas.
Don’t forget the prizes. You’ll also want to decide what kid of prize you want to give those who find all the items from your list. It’s a good idea to have some sort of gift for all who participate, that way no one feels left out. Remember, it’s all fun and games.
Third: Let ‘em at it!
Once you’ve made your list of items and come up with a plan for your holiday scavenger hunt, make some hot cocoa, put on some good Christmas tunes, grab your camera, and enjoy your masterpiece.
Your Christmas scavenger hunt creation will be a gift your kids will remember for the rest of their lives. Now that’s cool.
