Elf is a popular holiday tradition that encourages good behavior in children. This super cute Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt is a fun twist that adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge to your Elf Ideas. This Christmas hunt involves giving children a treasure map that leads them on a mission to locate fun Christmas-themed items around the house. Let the adventure begin!
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Elf on the Shelf has become a beloved holiday tradition for many families. The concept is simple: a small elf doll is placed around the house each day in December, and children are encouraged to find it. The idea is that the elf is reporting back to Santa on the child’s behavior, so it’s a fun way to encourage good behavior in the lead-up to Christmas as well as promote the Christmas spirit!
But what if you want to take Elf on the Shelf to the next level? That’s where the Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt comes in. This is a fun twist on the traditional Elf on the Shelf game that adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge.
You can host an Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt where instead of simply finding the elf, children are given 22 Christmas-themed rhyming clues that lead them on a hunt around the house. The final clue leads them to the location of the elf, and they get a special prize for solving the puzzle. Alternatively, just like a pirate, you can offer your kids a fun Elf on the Shelf treasure map where children find different things around the home. This seek and find Elf on the Shelf hunt can be very challenging or quite easy – you determine based on the ability and age of the child.
The Magic of Elf on the Shelf
Elf on a Shelf is a beloved holiday tradition that has captured the hearts of children and adults alike. The magic of Elf on the Shelf lies in the excitement and anticipation that it brings during the holiday season.
For those unfamiliar with the tradition, Elf on the Shelf involves a small elf doll that arrives at a family’s home in early December. The elf is said to have come from the North Pole to keep an eye on children and report back to Santa on their behavior. Each night, the elf returns to the North Pole to give Santa Claus an update, and in the morning, it is found in a new location within the home.
Children love waking up each morning to search for their elf and see what kind of mischief it has gotten into during the night. From hiding in the Christmas tree to making snow angels in flour on the kitchen counter, the possibilities for elf shenanigans are endless.
The magic of Elf on the Shelf goes beyond just the fun of finding the elf each morning. It also encourages children to behave well and be kind to others, as they know their elf is watching and reporting back to Santa. This can be a helpful tool for parents during the often chaotic holiday season.
The magic of Elf on the Shelf is about bringing joy and excitement to the holiday season, while also promoting good behavior and kindness. It’s no wonder that this tradition has become a beloved part of many families’ holiday celebrations.
Creating Your Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt
Creating an Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt can be a fun and exciting activity for the whole family. It requires some planning and creativity, but the end result is a memorable experience that your children will love. Here are some tips for creating your own Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt.
Choosing Your Elf
The first step in creating an Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt is choosing your elf. You can either use the elf that comes with the book or purchase a new one. Make sure to choose an elf doll that fits your family’s personality and interests.
Selecting the Perfect Spot
The next step is selecting the perfect hiding spot for your elf. You can choose a different spot each day or have a designated spot for the entire treasure hunt. Make sure the spot is safe and easy for your children to find. In the case of a treasure map, have your Elf on the Shelf at the starting location – the Christmas tree. Alternatively, have your Elf visitor at the end. In this case, X will mark the spot with Elf on the Shelf at the nativity or with Baby Jesus.
Creating the Clues
The most important part of the Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt is setting up the clues. In a Christmas Scavenger Hunt, the clues can be anything from riddles to puzzles to clue cards. For an Elf treasure map, you will have items found around the house (for a challenge) or in one room (for an easy hunt.)
These items that your child will find are:
- Christmas Cookies
- Christmas Lights
- Elf glitter
- Hot Cocoa
- One Present
- Candy Canes
- Coins
- Baby Jesus
This is not an editable treasure map template. That means the eight scavenger hunt items are final. If you don’t have something, print out something. For example, if you don’t have candy canes in the house – print out five candy cane photos and hide them around the room(s)/home.
Make sure the hiding spots are age-appropriate and not too difficult for your children to solve. Remember to have fun and be creative when creating your Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt. It’s a great way to create lasting memories with your family.
Enhancing the Fun
To make the Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt even more exciting, there are a few things that can be done to enhance the fun. Here are some ideas:
Incorporating Christmas Crafts
One fun idea to make the Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt more enjoyable is to incorporate Christmas Elf crafts. This can be done by having the elf leave a craft project for the children to do each day. For example, the elf could leave craft supplies to make a paper snowflake, a homemade ornament, or a Christmas card for a friend or family member. You can also add Elf coloring pages or an Elf activity pack. This fun activity will not only add to the fun of the treasure hunt but also provide an opportunity for the children to be creative and get into the holiday spirit.
Adding Festive Treats
Another way to enhance the Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt is to add festive treats. In addition to having fun treasures along the scavenger hunt, the elf could leave a small treat or snack each day leading to Christmas for the children to enjoy. This could be a candy cane, hot chocolate, or a Christmas cookie. Treasure will make the treasure hunt more exciting, but daily treasure will add to the overall holiday experience.
To keep things organized, it might be helpful to create a chart or table to plan out the crafts and treats for each day. An editable Elf on the Shelf Calendar will ensure that there is a variety of activities and treats throughout the treasure hunt. Additionally, using bold text or bullet points can help highlight important information and make it easier to read and understand.
Overall, incorporating Christmas crafts and adding festive treats are simple ways to make the Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt or your daily Elf ideas will make things even more enjoyable for children.
Safety Tips for the Hunt
When planning an Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt, safety should always be a top priority. Here are some guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Elf Placement Guidelines
When hiding the elf, it’s important to keep in mind the safety of the children participating in the treasure hunt. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Avoid placing the prizes and hidden objects in hard-to-reach or dangerous areas, such as high shelves or near electrical outlets.
- Make sure the elf is visible and not obstructed by any objects that could cause tripping or falling.
- Keep the elf away from any hazardous materials or objects that could cause harm… this includes pets!
Treasure Hunt Safety
In addition to elf placement, there are other safety considerations to keep in mind during the treasure hunt:
- Set boundaries for the hunt area and make sure children understand where they are allowed to search – one room, a few rooms, or the entire house!
- Ensure that children are supervised at all times during the hunt.
- Avoid using any small objects that could pose a choking hazard for young children.
- If using Elf Scavenger Hunt clues or riddles, make sure they are age-appropriate and easy to understand, or pair younger children with older children to solve the clues.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt for everyone involved.
Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt Printable
The Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt is a fun and exciting way to bring the holiday spirit to life. By hiding the elf in different locations each day, children can enjoy the thrill of searching for their little friend and finding surprises along the way.
Parents can add an Elf on the Shelf Treasure map. Kids will have so much fun hunting the list of items found on the map that Elf brings. Mom and Dad can get creative with the treasure hunt by leaving clues or small gifts for their children to find. This adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the daily search for the elf.
The Elf on the Shelf Treasure Hunt is a great way to make the holiday season more magical and memorable for children. It encourages imagination, creativity, and a sense of wonder that will last long after the elf has returned to the North Pole.
Grab the Elf on the Shelf Treasure Map Printable PDF!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can see a full list of Elf on the Shelf Frequently Asked Questions and learn more about Elf on the Shelf Explained.
What are some creative ideas for an Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt?
For a creative Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt, try incorporating different themes or storylines. For example, the elf could be searching for a missing toy or helping Santa find his lost reindeer. You could also add challenges or obstacles for the kids to complete before they can move on to the next clue.
How can I make my Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt more challenging?
To make the treasure hunt more challenging, you can hide the items on the treasure map in places that cannot be seen. For the scavenger hunt, you increase/decrease the number of clues or add riddles and puzzles for the kids to solve. You could also hide the clues in harder-to-find locations or make the clues more cryptic.
What are some fun clues to use for an Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt?
Some fun clues for an Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt include rhyming riddles, scavenger hunt-style clues, and puzzles. You could also use pictures or emojis to represent the clues when you don’t have the list of Christmas scavenger hunt items available.
Are there any printable resources available for an Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt?
Yes, there are many printable resources available online for Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunts. You can find printable clue cards, treasure hunt maps, and other resources to make your treasure hunt more fun and organized.
Can you suggest some Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt prizes for kids?
Some fun Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt prizes for kids include small toys, candy, stickers, or even a special treat like a trip to get ice cream. You could also create a prize basket with a variety of small items for the kids to choose from.
More Elf Printables
Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!
In addition to our Elf Treasure Map, kids can grab printable Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt clues with 22 rhyming riddle cards. Each item can stand alone. For example, bring the treasure map one day, and on another date (maybe Christmas Eve) bring a treasure hunt to find a fun Christmas Eve box or Christmas pajamas! The scavenger hunt possibilities are endless.
Free Elf on the Shelf Printables
We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. Once you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!
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5. Enjoy your Elf Printables.
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Elf on the Shelf Resources
At Frugal Coupon Living, our goal is to create an easy Elf on the Shelf season for you. This is not our first year of having an Elf in the home. With over eight years of Elf ideas, we have created a rather large Elf on the Shelf fan club full of new Elf on the Shelf ideas. These Elf on the Shelf resources are all you need to create the best Elf ideas.
What is Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. The tradition has a book and an elf doll. The book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits. The Elf visits each Thanksgiving. He/She goes and returns from the North Pole each evening. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. The Elf has been found in the refrigerator, fishing in the toilet, writing messages on the mirror, or hanging from the lights. It is VERY IMPORTANT, that the Elf is not touched each evening or his Christmas magic will be lost! Each family is able to name their special elf. The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve. An Elf’s Story can also be found on DVD.
More Helpful Elf on the Shelf Links
Some call Frugal Coupon Living the biggest resource for all things Elf on the Shelf. While we don’t want to brag, we will. We have moved our red little North Pole friend year after year. We have created plenty of free printables, must-have resources, inspirational Elf links, and more. Use us as a platform to keep your sanity through the entire Christmas season.
Use the helpful Elf on the Shelf links to come up with creative Elf ideas, grab free printables, and answer Elf on the Shelf Questions.
- Elf on the Shelf Ideas – a Starter guide to all things elf including some of our top post ideas and Elf on the Shelf digital downloads.
- Largest List of Elf on the Shelf Ideas – Now over 600 Elf on the Shelf Ideas. New ideas are added daily during November and December.
- Elf on the Shelf Questions and Answers – Are you just beginning with an Elf? Could you use a refresher on all the Elf rules. Take a look at frequently asked elf-on-the-shelf questions to get started. You will immediately be an Elf expert.
- Free Elf on the Shelf Printables – Sign up for our emails and grab these free Elf digital downloads to help you during the Elf season. Includes an Elf calendar, notes, Elf coloring pages, encouraging ideas, and more.
- DIY Bendable Elf on the Shelf – Want your Elf to do all sorts of positions? This is an easy no-sew bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial.
- Elf Shop with Digital Downloads – This is one of the best Elf shops full of printable resources to perfect the holiday season.
- Elf on the Shelf Emails with New Ideas Daily – Each day we will write you with a new Elf on the Shelf idea as well as links to Elf on a Shelf resource and sometimes hidden coupon codes and freebies!
More Scavenger Hunt Printables
The fun doesn’t end here. Take a look at these additional printable scavenger hunts. These scavenger hunts can be used with your Elf or the entire year long. You decide!
Are you hosting a holiday party? The Editable Christmas Party Scavenger Hunt is great for older kids, teens, or even adults. This scavenger hunt checklist can be used at a Christmas Party or even a holiday office party!
The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt has 22 rhyming clues related to your red Elf. The Christmas Scavenger Hunt doesn’t talk about the elf at all and can be used with older kids or for families that do not have a family Elf.
Many scavenger hunts can be used with your North Pole Visitor or use with your kids during any reason or occasion.
Take a look at a few additional scavenger hunt ideas to try with the kids!
- Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
- Indoor Scavenger Hunt
- Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt (Have your Elf on the Shelf at the end of the hunt for an elf arrival idea!)
- Friendsgiving Scavenger Hunt
- New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt
- Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Find more printable scavenger hunts in our shop!
Follow on social media! Take a look at the Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Board. Tell us what you are doing with your Elf on the Shelf this season. Is there an Elf idea we haven’t tried? Do you have any Elf on the Shelf questions?
Leave a comment here or on Pinterest with your Elf on the Shelf Treasure Map tips and how your scavenger hunt or another great activity went!
Have a Merry Christmas!
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Outdoor, Water, Back to School, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.
Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
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