Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt: FREE Printable

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Do you have an Elf on the Shelf tradition each year? If you do, maybe you have fallen into the trap of running out of easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, or “mischief” your Elf can get into each night.

Lucky for you, I’ve got one of those days covered with these free printable Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt Cards!

You may know we love scavenger hunts if you’ve tried my Valentine’s Day Scavenger Hunt or the St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt. Last year, I even shared one for New Year’s Eve festivities.

I know that your kids will enjoy this Elf on a Shelf Scavenger Hunt just as much!

What is Elf on a Shelf?

This tradition began in 2005 with a self-published book that was sold with a stuffed elf toy. The tradition is that the elf “watches” the family during the day, then reports to Santa at night whether or not your kids are on the “nice list”. Then they return home, usually to a new spot your kids have to seek and find the next morning.

Kids love coming up with their Elf on the Shelf names and discovering the daily surprises, and typically, parents have some fun as well by staging the elf in some sort of “mischief” they have gotten into upon the return home.

How to Do an Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt

Instead of simply letting your kids search for your elf, one morning you can use these clue cards to make things a little more interesting!

My free Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt Cards contain 12 clues, plus 6 blank cards in case you want to create your own that leads to a specific spot in your house.

There are two different ways you might use these cards:

• Leave one card for your kids to find in the morning (maybe near where they eat breakfast), and this clue will lead them to the next clue, which will lead them to the next…and so on, until they discover the elf hiding in the last spot!
• You might simply give your child one card each day which would lead them to find their elf (so, this will essentially give you your 12 hiding spots)

Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt Clues

Here are the clues included on this printable. Use them all for the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, or pick the ones that work best for your home (and create your own using the blank cards):

• You use me at night to rest your head, plump and fluffy at the top of your bed.
• Beep, beep, I will let you know, when your food is ready to go.
• Open me up on a rainy day, I will keep you dry and the rain away.
• Toss in all the clothes that are wet; warm and dry is what you will get.
• Wipe your muddy feet on me; let’s keep the house clean and dirt free.
• Warm and cozy I will be; sip your cocoa in front of me.
• Pop in your slice of bread; when it jumps out warm, add your favorite spread.
• Tick-tock I go around all day; I will tell you when it’s time to play.
• Fill me with water and when you are done, add some bubbles for extra fun!
• When you look at my reflection, you will see your own complexion.
• All houses have a few of me; to open me up, you will need a key.
• I have four legs but I have no feet; when you get tired, take a seat!

You can choose which order to place the cards, since they are not numbered.

Once they’re done finding the elf, your kids might even have fun creating their own rhyming clues (hey, and if you have them writing poetry, it counts as school, right?).

Scavenger Hunt Prizes

Finding the elf at the end of the scavenger hunt might be enough of a prize; but sometimes it’s fun to include a little extra something special at the end of a scavenger hunt!

Here are some ideas for “elf-themed” prizes you can leave for your kids at the end:

Elf on the Shelf Pajamas
Elf on The Shelf Matching Game
Hallmark Elf on The Shelf Ornament
The Elf on the Shelf Secret SnowPrize
Elf Pets A Reindeer Tradition
The Elf on The Shelf Night Before Christmas Book
Elf on the Shelf Pancake Mix Gift Set

Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt Free Printable

Your kids will have a blast with this Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt! Simply download the FREE cards below, print them out on cardstock for durability, cut them apart, and you’re all set!

f you are looking for an easy Elf on the Shelf activity, then an Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt is sure to be a hit.  Pin this post to share with others this holiday season!

If you’re looking for some more Christmas fun, you’ll want to check out my post on 25 memorable Christmas activities your kids will love.

Drop a comment below: do you have a genius Elf on the Shelf idea that your kids have loved? I want to hear about it!

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