Free Reindeer Scavenger Hunt Clues
If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to keep the kids busy this December, these reindeer scavenger hunt clues were a huge hit in our house.
I used them last year when we needed something simple but exciting, and it turned into one of my son’s favorite holiday memories.
This printable reindeer hunt comes with 12 rhyming clues that lead kids from one hiding spot to the next, with plenty of giggles along the way.
Whether you’re doing it at home, in a classroom, or even during a holiday party, it’s an easy activity to prep and a great way to build some Christmas magic.
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How to Use the Holiday Scavenger Hunt Clues
These printable scavenger hunt clues are such an easy way to bring extra fun to your holiday plans, and they’re completely free for personal or classroom use.
We’ve used them for Christmas morning, class parties, and even snowy weekends when we needed something festive to do indoors.
You’ll get 12 rhyming clues ready to print, plus 6 blank cards in case you want to add your own.
Each one leads to a new hiding spot around your home or classroom, making it perfect for a quick setup that still feels magical.
I usually print the clues on white cardstock to make them a bit sturdier. If you’re using them with a group, laminating them is a good idea so you can reuse them year after year.
Once everything’s printed and cut out, just hide the clues in their spots and hand the kids the first one.
If you’re doing it with a mixed age group, teaming older and younger kids works really well, older kids love helping read the clues.
The scavenger hunt wraps up with a little prize or surprise at the end, but honestly, the real joy is watching the excitement build with every clue they solve.
If your kids enjoy this, they’ll probably love our Christmas treasure hunt clues too, it’s another fun way to keep the holiday magic going.
Rhyming Reindeer Scavenger Hunt Clues
Here’s a fun set of rhyming riddles to guide your reindeer scavenger hunt! You can stick with the full set or mix in a few of your own to make it more personal.
I’ve added simple home and classroom hiding suggestions for each clue to make setup easier.
With antlers tall, I pull Santa’s sleigh, find a hint where you start your day. (Home: Near the front door where you put on your shoes. Classroom: Near the entrance where you hang your coats.)
In the room where you rest your head, look for something soft, like a reindeer’s bed. (Home: Under the pillows on the bed. Classroom: In the cozy reading nook with cushions and blankets.)
Where you dine, find a clue that’s neat, near the place where you often eat. (Home: By the dining table or on a dining chair. Classroom: Near the lunch tables or snack area.)
To help your mind take flight and soar, find a clue near your reading store. (Home: By the bookshelf. Classroom: By the classroom bookshelf or reading corner.)
In a room with a sink, search all around, for a clue that’s waiting to be found. (Home: In the bathroom near the sink. Classroom: By the classroom sink or water fountain.)
In the room where you learn and play, find a hint to brighten your day. (Home: In the children’s playroom or study area. Classroom: In the classroom play and learning area.)
Find the next hint where you watch a show, where you sit to enjoy the glow. (Home: Near the TV or entertainment center. Classroom: In the area where students gather for group activities or presentations.)
Where you hang your coats, look high and low, there’s a reindeer clue that’s in the know. (Home: Near the coat hooks or rack. Classroom: Near the coat hooks or cubbies for backpacks.)
Where you draw, color, and let your creativity flow, look for a clue where your artworks glow. (Home: By the art supplies or the kids’ art corner. Classroom: Near the art supplies and student artwork display.)
Near the window with the frosty view, find a hint where snowflakes often drew. (Home: By a window where you can see outside. Classroom: Near a window with a winter-themed display.)
In the place where your toys abound, search for a reindeer that’s been found. (Home: In the playroom or near the toy chest. Classroom: In the play area with toys and games.)
Where you store your snacks and sweets, find a hint where your hunger retreats. (Home: In the kitchen near the pantry or snack drawer. Classroom: Near the classroom snack area or storage for treats.)
We’ve had just as much fun with our Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, perfect for another round of holiday excitement.
Fun Prize Ideas for the Winner
At the end of the scavenger hunt, it’s always fun to leave a little surprise waiting. We’ve done this a few different ways, but small Christmas-themed gifts are usually the biggest hit.
Some of our go-to prize ideas:
You could also wrap up mini ornaments, festive stickers, or other little trinkets to make the prize feel extra special.
It doesn’t have to be big, just something cheerful to add a bit more magic to your holiday celebration.
Keep the fun going with our Santa scavenger hunt, another easy way to add cheer to your holiday plans.
Reindeer Books for Kids
After the scavenger hunt excitement winds down, it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a festive read. These reindeer-themed books have been favorites in our home, they’re sweet, silly, and full of holiday cheer.
The Grumpy Reindeer – A fun and heartwarming story about a reindeer who’s not quite feeling the holiday spirit, until he discovers what the season is really about.
The Wild Christmas Reindeer – This beautifully illustrated classic follows a young reindeer-in-training as she learns patience, teamwork, and how to get ready for Santa’s big night.
How to Catch a Reindeer – This one always gets a laugh, kids love the imaginative traps and silly plans to catch one of Santa’s elusive reindeer.
We had so much fun with our Christmas photo scavenger hunt, perfect for snapping silly, sweet holiday memories along the way.
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Last Updated on 4 August 2025 by Clare Brown