Christmas Puzzle Treasure Hunt

I was asked by my sons form teacher if I could help her out with a treasure hunt for the end of term activity this year. I didn’t have one with right locations she could use in school. So I went ahead and made her one. The game has twelve different puzzles that reveal Christmas themed words. This is where it isn’t like a regular hunt as the players have an answer sheet filled with these words with locations next to them.

The Christmas treasure hunt allows Mrs Tierney to set the puzzles to lead her students to where ever she wants. And you can do the same!

What is a Puzzle Treasure Hunt?

My puzzle treasure hunts use a combination of different puzzles instead rhyming clues. I’ve been tinkering with these for a few years now. My kids are getting older, the treasure hunts I used to make for them are no longer doing the job. Naturally I stepped up my game. The puzzle treasure hunt was born.

The clues included in the treasure hunts are a series of different ciphers, codes, mazes and puzzles to reveal clue locations. These take players longer to solve and take more brain power, importantly making the game lasts longer.

What Puzzles are Included?

I like to add a mixture of different activities. Here are some that you will find included in many of my different puzzle hunts.

• Mazes
• Cipher Wheels
• Morse Code
• Braille
• Pig Pen Cipher – Read more about this code plus a free printable.
• Picture Ciphers – I mix these up to match the theme of the game.
• Crossword
• Pattern Recognition
• Colour Sorting

If you wanted to create and even longer you can always add to the game. Create your own puzzles or simply add some rhyming clues in the mix. There isn’t a right way to play the game. At the end of the day you set up your game in whatever way works for you.

Christmas Puzzle Treasure Hunt Kit

There are twelve different puzzles included inside my treasure hunt kit. Each printable page contains two puzzles. Preparing the game is a breeze. All you need to do is print out the pages and cut them in half. The most difficult step is planning the perfect treasure hunt route. You will find a planner included to keep track of the puzzles and where you want to send your player.

Tips for Planning the Perfect Treasure Hunt

As I have already mentioned there is no right or wrong way to set up your treasure hunt. With that said, with my many years of experience I may have a few tips that will make your game fab.

1. Plan the route to take players in all directions. Choose the next clue to take players to the furthest point away. For example if the first clue is in the bedroom, the next clue can send them outside to the garden shed.
2. If you have a group of kids playing that are all different ages set different puzzles for each child according to their ability. The easiest way I have found to achieve this is to pop specific clues inside an envelope with the childs name on it.
3. Go ahead an hide the clues at each location. Have them poking out from behind picture frames or tucked inside a book.
4. I love adding locked boxes bags and containers into my games. Any old box will do. You don’t even need to have a hasp, tie the box up with ribbon or string and attach your lock. Pop your clue inside the box. Don’t forget to add an additional clue for players to solve to open the box. I have a free printable lock kit that you can use with some fun ideas included.

What is a Good Treasure?

Absolutely anything can be good treasure! This game would make for a fabulous Christmas day gift reveal. I’ve been thinking about a way to make the start of this hunt fun surprise as apposed to just handing the players their first clue. My idea is to have the introduction to the game wrapped up inside a Christmas gift. This is the start of the game and the treasure hunt adventure begins. From there they solve all the puzzles until they ultimately reach the final location and discover an epic Christmas gift waiting for them.

Another fun option especially at this time of year would be to have the final treasure be a Christmas eve box full of fun things to do. A film to watch, a hot cocoa sachet, new Christmas PJ’s and not forgetting some tasty treats.

As I have aimed this game for tweens and teens you will want to keep the treasure age appropriate. I found this fun Christmas themed minute to win it pack. I love this idea mainly because its something for the whole family to do together and more importantly keeps the kids away from their mobiles for a little longer! Hooray for that!

How is This Treasure Hunt Different?

I know I have already said that this hunt is different because it includes lots of fun puzzles. Not only that, I believe its biggest selling point is the ability for you to send players absolutely ANY location! And here is how you can use this “done for you kit” while still having the freedom to choose where you send the players.

The answer to each puzzle is a Christmas themed word. All you need to do is fill in the locations you want into the Christmas hunt form and away you go. Besides using everyday locations, think outside the box. Have the players going to your neighbours house or searching in all kinds of weird and wonderful places!

Christmas Games I Think You’ll Love

Here are some of my favorite treasure hunts I love and hope you do to. There is bound to be something that will make your Christmas even more magical.

• Kids early reader reindeer treasure hunt
• The case of the missing stocking puzzle hunt
• Santas Quest
• Rhyming Christmas Treasure Hunt

In the end,for me Chrismtas is all about making memories it’s not just about the gift but the fun and excitement of the season. I love creating these Christmas hunts and so, this festive season, I hope you consider embracing the adventure. Weave come magic into your Christmas and play a treasure hunt that’ll be remembered for years to come.

I do hope that you are inspired to set up a treasure hunt over Christmas. I love them and so do my family. Having some time to do something fun together with the added bonus of a reward at the end is always going to win over even the most stubborn of tweens! I would love to hear of any fun traditions you have over the festive season. I am always on the look out for more ways I can get together with my loved ones. And if you happen to use this treasure hunt I would love to hear how it goes and what fun locations you came up with!