There’s nothing more magical than the twinkle of Christmas lights after dark. So I could tell you that a Christmas lights scavenger hunt was something I did just for the kids.
But that’d be a big fat lie!
I love our family holiday tradition of bundling up into the car, hot cocoa at the ready, printable Christmas light scavenger hunt in hand. Then setting off to admire and explore the neighbourhood lit up with the enchanting glow of holiday lights.
Of course, with little kids there’s plenty that can go wrong! With many a Christmas light scavenger hunt under our belts, here you’ll find plenty of practical tips for a hunt without a hitch.
Then simply print off the cute Christmas light scavenger hunt printables with pictures and you’re all set.
For bigger, more independent kids, try one of the free printable Christmas lights scavenger hunt lists.
Are you ready to embark on a festive adventure filled with twinkling lights and holiday magic?
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What age are these Christmas light scavenger hunt free printables aimed at?
Christmas light scavenger hunt printables with pictures
These are suitable for very young children and make for a fun game and activity. Toddlers aged 2 will enjoy them with the helping hand of an older sibling or an adult.
Even kids who have started reading will love the ease and simplicity of hunting for different items and then ticking them off of their very own Christmas lights scavenger hunt list.
So, these outdoor Christmas lights scavenger hunt printables are aimed at 2 to 6 year olds.
Christmas lights scavenger hunt list
There are x different options for the simple Christmas lights scavenger hunt list. These are suitable for confident readers.
The idea with these is that the kids can take up the challenge without adult supervision independently, perhaps with friends or other siblings. You can up the ante and introduce a competitive element for these types of scavenger hunts.
The benefit of scavenger hunts with pictures for young kids
A Christmas light scavenger hunt with pictures provides a visual guide that is easy for little ones to understand. They’re normally a good way to get them moving and burning off energy!
However, even if you go by car, there are plenty of developmental benefits to scavenger hunts with pictures:
- Fun and engaging, encouraging exploration and discovery
- Develops observational skills as kids learn to pay attention to details
- Encourages language development as kids learn and use new words as they identify and describe items on the list
- Boosts memory skills as kids keep track of what they’ve already found
- Promote a sense of achievement and build confidence as they tick things off and complete the hunt
Not that you’ll need any encouragement, it’s good to know that your young kids are benefitting while enjoying their Christmas light scavenger hunt printable with pictures.
Christmas light scavenger hunt with pictures (free printable PDFs)
There are a few options for printable Christmas light scavenger hunts with pictures:
- Christmas light scavenger hunt with 9 pictures x3 – for toddlers
- Christmas light scavenger hunt with 20 pictures x2 – for bigger little kids!
Christmas light scavenger hunt free printable with 9 pictures x3
Below the 3 JPEG images is a link to a printable PDF version. These ones each have 9 pictures, ideal for the littlest toddlers.
There’s no need to sign up to anything.
How to print the Christmas light scavenger hunt PDF
- Click on the “PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt with 9 pictures – CLICK TO PRINT” link below & below the images
- They’ll open as a single file in a new window
- Click “print” and select which pages you want to print or skip this to print them all
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt with 9 pictures – CLICK TO PRINT
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt printable with 9 pictures – CLICK TO PRINT
Free Christmas lights scavenger hunt printable with 20 pictures x2
Below the 2 JPEG images is a link to a printable PDF version. These ones each have 20 pictures. This Christmas light scavenger hunt with free printable is a little harder than the last one as it has more items to find. It’s ideal for preschoolers and early school age kids.
How to print the Christmas light scavenger hunt free printable PDF
Again, there’s no need to sign up to anything.
- Click on the “PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt with 20 pictures – CLICK TO PRINT” link below & below the images
- They’ll open as a single file in a new window
- Click “print” and select which pages you want to print or skip to print them all
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt with 20 pictures – CLICK TO PRINT
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt printable with 20 pictures – CLICK TO PRINT
Tips for doing the outdoor Christmas light scavenger hunt printable with little kids
Lots of things can become quite stressful with little kids. As such I like to keep things super simple wherever possible with easy and ideally no-mess indoor activities. And minimal prep play ideas for outside.
With the help of a free printable, scavenger hunts are no prep and no-mess and work really well inside and out. But it’s the timing of a Christmas light scavenger hunt that may cause a little havoc.
Here are some tips to help minimize the stress with little ones.
Avoid Christmas Eve with very small kids
Don’t plan this for Christmas Eve if your kids are very small. It’ll wear them out for the big day and you too!
Consider starting the hunt in the afternoon
The last thing you want to do is have upset, tired kids by the end of the scavenger hunt. So if your little ones are tiny and prone to evening meltdowns then you could start it in the afternoon when it’s still early, even if it’s not yet dark.
The scavenger hunt printables should include items you’ll find simply by walking around your neighbourhood.
Take many blankets and cocoa
Cold kids will make for miserable kids and parents too! Do not underestimate how many blankets you need if you’re pushing a buggy around and take hot chocolate or warm milk in sippy cups/bottles to warm little ones through from the inside.
Get kids into PJs before you start
This’ll make for an easier bedtime once you get home and will make all the difference when the tiredness hits. Mine don’t normally need any encouragement to get into their festive holiday PJs!
Allow for toilet stops or take a potty!
There’s nothing worse than someone all of a suddent being desperate for a wee (or worse) and you don’t know where to find a toilet. To avoid being caught out, take a potty.
For more simple toddler crafts and activities, try the following:
- 21 Fun & Easy Dinosaur Sensory Activities For Toddlers
- 50 Easy Transportation Crafts & Activities for Preschoolers
- 100 Fun & Easy Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for 2 & 3 Years Old
Christmas lights scavenger hunt list (free printable PDF)
Here are some Christmas lights scavenger hunt lists that you can use for older kids that can read confidently.
The idea is for these to be done independently. However, you could do them in the car together or take a walk together.
If your child is old enough they could do this with friends or other older siblings while walking around a safe neighbourhood.
Below the JPEG images is a link to a printable PDF version.
How to print the Christmas lights scavenger hunt list
Again, there’s no need to sign up to anything.
- Click on the “PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt list – CLICK TO PRINT” link below & below the images
- It’ll open as a single file in a new window
- Click “print” and select which pages you want to print or skip to print them all
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt list – CLICK TO PRINT
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt list – CLICK TO PRINT
Christmas light scavenger hunt printable RULES etc
If you have older kids that are completing the scavenger hunt independently, you can add a competitive element.
When kids have finally got over the massive disappointment of losing every single time (it does happen at some point!) then adding a bit of competition makes things a bit more fun. And for those entering the teenage years, it might be the only way to get them to want to take part.
But of course, if you make it a contest, you need some rules, some evidence that the item has been found and perhaps a prize.
The evidence
Ask for photographic evidence – smart phones make this easy. Ideally each conntestant should be in the photo too, otherwise google images may be their resource…
Alternatively ask for the address of each item in question and spot check with some friendly interrorgation (this’ll catch kids out quickly!)
Time limit
Have a time limit – this could be a few hours one evening or over a number of days
Prizes
The prize should be the fun of the light hunt and all the holiday spirit, but you know, kids! Keep it simple with a coffee gift card, hot chocoloate mix or holiday cookies.
For more free holiday printables try:
- Simple FREE Printable 3D Paper Christmas Ornaments
- Santa Claus’s real mailing address + FREE Santa letter templates
Making your own Christmas light scavenger hunt
With a little creativity it’s easy to make your own Christmas light scavenger hunt. This’ll keep the kids busy and will be fun those who like to get crafty.
For little ones, supply them with some old scraps of Christmas wrapping paper or a home magazine with plenty of festive pictures and decorations. They can pick and choose items they want to include in the scavenger hunt.
Cut them out and stick to a blank piece of card stock or paper. Add some check boxes and then the hunt can begin.
Older kids may prefer to draw pictures and label them. Or simply use the blank Christmas light scavenger hunt printable template below and kids can write in their own list of scavenger hunt items to include. A good chance for some extra writing practice
Alternatively, to make a really hard Christmas light scavenger hunt, you could write them in yourself!
How to print the Christmas light scavenger hunt blank template
As before:
- Click on the “PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt blank template – CLICK TO PRINT” link below & below the images
- They’ll open as a single file in a new window
- Click “print”
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt blank template – CLICK TO PRINT
PDF Christmas light scavenger hunt blank template – CLICK TO PRINT
Christmas lights scavenger hunt items you could include
Use this list to pick and choose items and make the scavenger hunt as hard or easy as you wish this holiday season:
- a house with only white lights
- fake snow
- laser lights
- North Pole sign
- light display with holiday music
- snow globe
- Charlie Brown and Snoopy
- dancing lights
- toy soldier
- icicle lights
- real Christmas tree decorated with multicolor lights
- giant candy cane
More festive crafts and activities for little kids here:
- 47 Cute Easy Christmas ornaments for Kids
- 55 easy Christmas crafts for toddlers
- 50 Christmas sensory activities & bins for toddlers & preschoolers
- 41 Easy Santa Claus crafts for toddlers (inc. Santa hat crafts)
- 41 Easy Christmas Tree Arts and Crafts for Toddlers
Christmas light scavenger hunt free printable FAQs
How to do a Christmas light scavenger hunt
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to do a Christmas light scavenger hunt:
- Create a list of items to find or use one of the Christmas light scavenger hunt free printables
- Decide on an area to explore, such as your neighborhood or a nearby park, that has plenty of holiday decorations.
- Pack warm and pack well! Blankets, hot cocoa, potty & spare pjs for little ones, holiday cookies or other snacks, camera or cell phone, torch and festive music.
- Take photos if you need evidence of what you’ve found (these will make a fun memento too)
- At the end, tally up if competive.
- Celebrate!
How do I access the free printable Christmas light scavenger hunt?
Look at the images above and choose the ones you want to print. Under each is a link to a PDF which you can print without having to sign up to anything.
How Do I Print a PDF?
You’ll need a program that supports PDFs. Adobe Acrobat is a good option.
- Open the PDF file: Double-click the PDF file to open it in your default PDF viewer.
- Click on the “Print” button: Depending on your PDF viewer, you should see a “Print” button either in the top toolbar or under the “File” menu.
- Adjust print settings: In the print dialog box that appears, you can adjust print settings such as the number of copies, page range, and print quality. Make sure to review these settings to ensure that the PDF prints correctly.
- Select a printer: If you have multiple printers available, select the one you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Print” button: Once you’ve reviewed the print settings and selected a printer, click on the “Print” button to start the printing process.
Can I resell the Christmas light scavenger hunt free printable PDFs?
No, you cannot sell any of the printables found on Busy Blooming Joy. You may use them for your own personal use, for at home or at school. You can print them off multiple times but you can not and must not sell them.
Ready to try a Christmas light scavenger hunt?
For plenty of holiday fun, I’d highly recommend a Christmas lights family scavenger hunt. It’s a fantastic family activity and provides plenty of fun for young and old.
It’s a chance to pick out our favorite decorations of the year and provides some light (!) relief from the busy holiday season. The Christmas lights scavenger hunt is now a long-standing tradition of ours and I’m sure it will be yours too.
Whether you go for the Christmas light scavenger hunt printable with pictures or the simple list of items or both, I hope you enjoy them.
Happy Christmas!
