Christmas Ideas

Go on a Christmas treasure hunt

Turn on the holiday delight with a Christmas day treasure hunt the whole family will enjoy! It’s a great idea for keeping little ones busy and “big ones” entertained while Christmas dinner’s cooking.

First, pick a prize the whole family will enjoy sharing. Or, use the treasure hunt to let the kids “discover” gifts that are too big or oddly shaped to wrap. (Those bikes the kids want or the big screen TV the family’s been craving? Let them find it at the end of the hunt!)

Next, draw a map using age-appropriate clues that lead to the treasure. Personalize the treasure hunt clues with fun family pictures, silly mementos or funny games like word scrambles or simple riddles.

For younger kids consider leaving intriguing parts of the treasure as encouragement to keep going. Be sure to keep clues simple for this set. You can always make them more challenging for older kids and adults.

You can also make clues Christmas-themed. For instance, you could lead everyone to a hidden candy cane stash with a cute clue like this:

We’re red and white and sweet to eat
Find us for a nifty treat!

Keep clue collecting vigorous to make it fun for kids and encourage grown-ups to get silly: "Hop to the kitchen table and peek under! Take giant steps to the window and look for snowflakes! Don’t forget to kiss Mom on your way to the family room!"

Have the family work as a team or split into sides for some friendly competition—maybe something like the "Stocking Stuffers" vs. the "Turkey Gobblers."

Use your treasure hunt before gift opening to keep kids from getting restless and grown-ups from sneaking turkey. You can also do it after the unwrapping to keep the day’s excitement going.

Above all, have fun making fun memories with the people you love this Christmas.