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A few years ago, I found this Frozen Castle Advent Calendar at Ollies. This year, I turned it into one big Christmas scavenger hunt and my girls are obsessed!
Instead of filling the castle with candy or tiny surprises to fit inside the little cubbies, the compartments hold the first clue to a mini scavenger hunt. The clues ultimately lead them to a surprise hiding somewhere in our house.
Lainey and Lyvi LOVE it! They literally set their alarm to wake up before me so that they have time to find their prize before school!
So, I decided to share the clues and surprises here on the blog in case you want to do it with your kids too. (You can find 27 More Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues here!)
Luckily, I found another awesome blog with plenty of scavenger hunt clue ideas. I won’t completely share the clues that I borrowed from her (no one likes a thief), but I will definitely be sharing links to her page so you can see them yourself.
Disney Frozen Arendelle Advent Calendar
Christmas Scavenger Hunt Clues
Prize 1: Squishy Balls
Clue 1: ‘Jingle Bells’ and “Frosty the Snowman’ are great holiday tunes. The next clue is hiding… (see Between Us Parents)
The next clue was in a kitchen drawer under the silverware tray.
Clue 2: Finding clues is fun and great, to find the next clue look in a book about your state!
I hid the next clue in a book we have called “Weird Texas”. The girls knew exactly where to look!
Clue 3: Winter break means no homework or long division, but you may be watching some movies or shows, so check under the ____________________.
Their squishy balls were hidden in the top drawer of our buffet which is what we are using as a tv stand, so the drawer was ‘under the television’.
Color Changing Stress Balls for Kids – 4 Pack Squishy Stress Balls Fidget Toys Stress Balls Bulk Mini Rainbow Stress Ball Pack Sensory Stress and Anxiety Relief Squeeze Toys6 Pack Squishy Stress Balls for Kids and Adults Fidget Toys, Sensory Squeeze Ball with Colorful Water Beads, Pop Fidget Ball, Mesh Ball, Color Change Ball, Help to Relax, Decompress and Focus
Prize 2: Fidget Cubes
Clue 1: Here is the first of 3 clever clues. Work together and you can’t lose – start your search where our guests snooze.
I hid the next clue under a pillow on the bed in our guest room.
Clue 2: You found it because you’re so smart – it’s true! Now go look where you can find some glue.
The next clue was in our art supplies in the drawer with my hot glue gun.
Clue 3: I hope this clue doesn’t get you stuck, look around for a little truck.
The fidget cubes were in tiny wrapped little boxes hiding under the RC monster truck in a corner of the play room.
Fidget Dodecagon –12-Side Fidget Cube Relieves Stress and Anxiety Anti Depression Cube for Children and Adults with ADHD ADD OCD Autism (B3 Blue Sky)6 Pack Fidget Cube Fidget Toy, Fidget Cubes Bulk for Kids,Release Stress Cube Relaxing Hand-Held for Adults,Magic Release Stress Cube and Anxiety Relief Toys
Prize 3: Blanket & Slippers
Clue 1: Last year, Santa brought some toys and a scooter, perhaps you should look where I keep the _______________.
The last word to the riddle is ‘computer’. So, the next clue was in the drawer of our buffet where I store my laptop when I’m not using it.
Clue 2: Rudolph was sad when the other reindeer called him names. The next clue you’ll find where we keep the board _______________.
The last word to this riddle is ‘games’. They had to go look on the shelf in the play room where we keep all of our board games.
Clue 3: A runny nose? Some dust on your shoes? Maybe you should look in the box of _______________.
Of course the next Christmas scavenger hunt clue was hiding in the box of tissues on the coffee table in the living room.
Clue 4: In the desert it’s hot, you’ll see a mirage. But you’re prize is hiding out in the _________________.
It took them a second to properly pronounce ‘mirage’, but once they did, they rushed out to the garage to find gift bags with a new blanket for Lainey and new slippers for Lyvi.
GONAAP Faux Fur Throw Blanket Super Soft Cozy Plush Fuzzy Shaggy Blanket for Couch Sofa Bed (Tie-dye Rainbow, Throw(50techcity Boys Girls Fuzzy House Slippers Cute Comfy Faux Fur Slip On Fluffy Plush Open Toe Home Slides for Kids Indoor Outdoor Warm Shoes (Rainbow, numeric_3)
Prize 4: Box of Candy Canes
Clue 1: Rudolph is Santa’s number 1 flyer. To find the next clue, look… (see Between Us Parents).
I thought this one was a little hard, because I taped the clue on the side of the dryer, which is up against a wall. But the kids had no trouble finding it.
Clue 2: You’re going through these clues at a pretty good pace. The next one (see Between Us Parents).
The last word to this riddle is ‘fireplace’. I wasn’t sure the kids would get it because we don’t have a ‘real fireplace’ in this house, but there is a cast iron wood heater downstairs. They didn’t hesitate at all before bolting downstairs to find the next clue.
Clue 3: Mistletoe is green and roses are red. You’ll find a surprise waiting under your BED!
I wasn’t afraid to hide this prize in it’s place days ahead of time since my kids have so much junk shoved up under their bed! They were shocked when I told them that this wrapped box of candy canes had been under there for a while and they never even knew it.
Fruity Candy Canes, Novelty Fruit Flavored Hard Candies Stocking Stuffers, Pack of 3Jelly Belly Watermelon, Tutti-Frutti & Blueberry Gourmet Candy Canes – Box of 12
Prize 5: LOL & Barbie Doll
Clue 1: Go to my closet – both of you – to find the clue hidden in a shoe.
They had to search through the shoes in my closet to find their next clue.
Clue 2: What did Lainey hide in her pack? This time it’s a clue and not a snack!
The next clue was hiding in the front pocket of Lainey’s backpack.
Clue 3: The polar bear went over the mountain to see what he could see. Perhaps you could start with a quick look under the tree!
The LOL and Barbie dolls were hidden behind the tree collar.
LOL Surprise OMG Sunshine Color Change Bubblegum DJ Fashion Doll with Color Changing Hair and Fashions and Multiple Surprises – Great Gift for Kids Ages 4+Barbie It Takes Two Doll, Malibu Fashion Doll with Blonde Hair, Rainbow Shirt, Denim Skirt & Pink Shoes
Prize 6: Pop Tubes
Clue 1: The Abominable Snowman lives in a cave. He cooks over the fire, since he has no microwave.
This one was a little tricky for them, but it was only a few minutes before they found the next clue taped to the side of the microwave.
Clue 2: Mrs. Claus is a gem. She’s smart and able, you’ll find a cool prize underneath a small table!
The pop tubes (fidget toys) were wrapped up and hidden under the side table in the living room.
CVNDKN 6 Pack Pop Tube Sensory Toys,Stretch Tube for Kids Decompression, Pre-Kindergarten Finger Toys.(6 Colors)8 Pack LED Light Up Pop Tubes Sensory Toys Glow Sticks,Fine Motor Skills & Learning Toys, Party Favors Decorations Pull and Stretch Toys for Kids Halloween Christmas Party Goodie Bag Stuffers
Prize 7: Gingerbread House
Clue 1: Christmas isn’t only about gifts, but about the moments we share. You can find your next clue by looking under a ________________.
The next Christmas scavenger hunt clue was taped up under one of the dining room chairs.
Clue 2: Taking care of you is hard – girls are a lot to handle. Light the way to the next clue when you look under a ____________.
The next clue was on the bookshelf under one of my candles.
Clue 3: Daddy is cool and bell-bottoms are groovy. Go look in the place where you can find a _________________.
The next clue was hidden in our cabinet where we store our movies (DVDs).
Clue 4: Elves work hard and vampires sleep in caskets. You’ll find your next prize in the bottom of one of our baskets.
Their prize, a gingerbread house kit, was hidden in a basket that we use to store our blankets.
Gingerbread House Kit, Pre-Baked & Pre-Assembled BIG Traditional gingerbread house kit Christmas Fun activity, Everything Included: Cookies, Colorful Candies, Icing, Bag/Tip + Fun Holiday StickersCreate-A-Treat Gingerbread Barn Kit, E-Z Build, 2.2 lbs.
Prize 8: Pajamas
Clue 1: To mail a letter to Santa, you must use a stamp. Check for the next clue up under a ___________________.
The missing word was ‘lamp’, so the next clue was hidden under the lamp on my nightstand.
Clue 2: Buddy is getting hungry – it’s time to eat! Breakfast goodies are such a treat!
This one was a little harder, since it wasn’t a fill-in-the-blank/rhyming clue. But the next clue was hiding on the shelf where we store the cereal.
Clue 3: The Christmas tree is pretty and quite statuesque. You can find the next clue on mommy’s desk.
The next Christmas scavenger hunt clue was hidden on my desk behind my book ends.
Clue 4: Mommy’s the queen! She has the power. She left you a gift where you take a ______________.
Their pajamas were wrapped up and hidden in the shower downstairs.
Ekouaer Tie Dye Pajamas Set Womens Loungewear Sleepwear 2 Piece PJ SetsVopmocld Big Girls’ Lovely Sleepy Panda Sleepwears Cute Cartoon 2PCS Pajama Sets, Pink, 14
Prize 9: Ring Pops
Clue 1: Santa is kind – he’s good and he’s fair. You’ll find the next clue behind the rocking ____________.
Obviously, the next clue was taped to the back of the rocking chair.
Clue 2: Christmas memories are the best….better than April Fool’s! You can find your prize where your mom keeps her jewels.
The Ring Pops were hiding in my jewelry box.
Kidsmania Flash Pop Lollipop Ring, Lights when You Wear It, .56-Ounce Rings (Pack of 24)Ring Pop Hard Candy | Individually Wrapped Wearable Lollipop Suckers Snack Assorted Flavors | Birthday Party Pinata Gift Deco Prize Box Goodies (Original 2 Bags)
Prize 10: A ‘Ticket’ to Get Hot Chocolate & See Christmas Lights
Clue 1: Some kids are whiny and full of “I can’ts”. You’ll find the next clue where mommy moved her plants.
The next clue was on the windowsill in the guestroom, where I moved my plants to get more sunlight.
Clue 2: Daddy’s at work wearing a camo suit. Look for a new clue where we keep the fruit!
The next Christmas scavenger hunt clue was taped under the top tier of our fruit stand in the kitchen.
Clue 3: Searching for clues can be such a hassle. Perhaps you can try looking up under the castle!
Their prize was a homemade “ticket” underneath their castle advent calendar. It was a ‘ticket’ for a night of getting hot chocolate and going to see Christmas lights
Coupon Book For Kids Blank Fillable DIY Coupon Cards 50 Pieces: Reward Your Children With Coupon GiftsCoupon Book For Kids: 40 Coupons Total, 20 Prefilled, 20 Blank Fillable DIY, Coupon Vouchers To Reward Children
This Christmas scavenger hunt was a smashing success! The girls loved having to ‘work for their prizes’ by searching for them. And I loved watching them.
It was pretty time-consuming to go out and buy the prizes, come up with and write all of the clues, and then hide everything. I probably spent 5-6 hours doing all of this, but I can honestly say that it was worth it.
The joy on their faces when they finally found it, was like Christmas morning, but all throughout December!
I normally don’t do something this extravagant every year, but since their dad deployed right after Thanksgiving, I figured we could use all the joy we could get. (You can check out our deployment wall here!)
If you’re looking for something fun for your kids during the month of December I highly recommend a Christmas scavenger hunt!
