‘Tis the season to be jolly, and hosting a virtual Christmas scavenger hunt activity is a thrilling way to elevate your team’s holiday spirit. After all, who doesn’t love a good chase? The fun doubles when your team is after treats, Santa’s lost presents, and ornaments. Planning and arranging this game doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together a nifty guide to help you run your own virtual Christmas scavenger hunt games. This includes basic tips and ideas for what to put on Santa’s festive Christmas virtual scavenger hunt list.
1. What Is a Virtual Christmas Scavenger Hunt?
A virtual Christmas scavenger hunt is a digitally facilitated game where participants search for holiday-themed items before time runs out. Teams scavenge for festive items like wreaths, ornaments, sweaters, Santa hats, or holiday treats. This activity often includes puzzles, riddles, or trivia to enhance the challenge and keep players engaged. The one who collects the most items or completes every challenge wins the game. You have the option to host the scavenger hunt yourself or bring in a team-building platform to ensure everything runs smoothly.
2. 12 Best Virtual Christmas Scavenger Hunt Ideas for Your Team
2.1 Find Christmas Décor
Searching for Christmas décor is an excellent way to bring holiday cheer to your team’s virtual holiday scavenger hunt. This could include tree decorations like baubles, tinsel, or pendants, as well as general household ornaments like intricate nutcrackers or snow globes. You and your team will need to refer to the clue list and gather all the items mentioned to score a win.
Here’s a sample clue list for teams to explore:
- Find a shiny ornament that hangs from a tree
Item to find: bells
- Something that’s hung by the fireplace, ready to be filled with goodies
Item to find: Christmas stockings
- It might be a treat, but looks like a house
Item to find: Gingerbread house decor
- A circular decoration that hangs on the door
Item to find: Wreath
- A small, festive figure that stands guard or adds charm to a mantle
Item to find: Nutcracker figurine
2.2 Organize a Christmas Trivia Hunt
Challenge your team’s knowledge about the holiday in a Christmas trivia hunt. This activity is a fun way to combine the elements of trivia with a scavenger hunt. Participants need to answer each prompt and find an item that matches the same to score a point. To make it fun, you can add questions in the form of virtual Christmas scavenger hunt riddles for the participants to decode.
Here are a few examples to try:
- I come in a lot of colors, so lovely and bright, and turn so many houses into a beautiful sight. What am I?
Answer: Christmas lights.
- I am a plant that is hung above doorways and is popular for bringing good luck. What am I?
Answer: Mistletoe
- I tried to steal Christmas, but my heart grew three sizes. Who am I?
Answer: The Grinch figurine
- I am a sweet, crunchy treat, shaped like a hook, and often used as a tree decoration. What am I?
Answer: Candy cane
- I come in a red suit, with a jolly laugh, delivering gifts all around the world. Who am I?
Answer: Santa Claus figurine or hat
2.3 Search for a Gift Wrap Paper
If you want to add something quirky to your Christmas scavenger hunt ideas, a gift wrap hunt could be perfect for your team. In this activity, participants need to look for decorative wrapping gift paper designs mentioned on the clue list. Whether it’s searching for wrappers with snowman heads or chirping robins, this activity adds a fun and creative touch to your holiday scavenger hunt.
Here’s a list of items to include in your hunt:
- Gift wrap with shimmering snowflakes
- Eco-friendly kraft paper with red accents
- Wrapping paper with classic candy cane stripes
- Festive polka dot gift wrap (red and green dots)
- Wrapping paper featuring holiday plaid patterns
2.4 Find Something With Stars
Another great option is to include a star-themed activity to your list of scavenger hunt ideas for Christmas. During this session, participants must think creatively and look for star-shaped items, like confetti or a Christmas tree topper, to match the theme. For added fun, you can give bonus points to the participants who present the most creative objects that fit the prompt.
Here are some star-shaped items to include in your list:
- A cookie cutter
- A holiday card with stars
- A Christmas ornament
- A decorative light
- A gift wrapping sheet
2.5 Hunt for Christmas Treats
Who among your team has the sweetest tooth, and who prefers savory Christmas specialties? You’ll find out if you include this option in your ideas for a Christmas scavenger hunt. Some specific examples of Christmas treats you could include are cookies, cupcakes, gingerbread people, crisps flavored like roast turkey, and pigs in blankets.
Here’s a sample clue list to consider for the hunt:
- A sweet treat shaped like a person decorated with icing, clothes, and buttons.
Item to find: Gingerbread man
- A classic red and white holiday candy that looks like a shepherd’s crook
Item to find: Candy Cane
- A holiday drink that’s rich, creamy, and tastes like chocolate
Item to find: Hot chocolate mix
- A popular Christmas savory treat covered in bacon
Item to find: Pigs in blankets
- A crumbly pie with sweet, spiced fruit filling
Item to find: Mince pie
2.6 Virtual Stocking Stuffer
This scavenger hunt for Xmas gifts can be a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season with remote teams. All you need to do is compile a list of stocking stuffer items that participants need to find during the activity. These items could include anything small that can fit inside Christmas stockings, like candies, small figurines, or tree ornaments.
Here are some examples to include in your stocking stuffer finds:
- A candy cane
- Holiday bookmarks
- Mini candles
- A Santa Claus figurine
- A small Christmas tree ornament
- A packet of hot cocoa mix
2.7 Search for an Ugly Christmas Costume
This indoor Christmas scavenger hunt idea is a great chance for your team to channel their most questionable fashion choices and showcase the quirkiest Christmas outfits. Think hilariously hideous knitted jumpers, a happy elf costumes, or some bright sweaters. From bright, clashing sweaters with all the trimmings to reindeer onesies with jingling antlers, there’s no limit to how over-the-top you can go.
Here are a few more examples of hilarious Christmas costumes:
- An oversized Santa Claus Onesie
- A colorful gingerbread man sweater
- A pair of holiday pajamas with funny prints
- A Victorian-style caroler outfit with mismatched patterns
- A Christmas tree costume complete with tinsel and ornaments
- A reindeer costume with an antler headband and a bright red nose
2.8 Discover Something in Classic Red and Green
Red and green are iconic Christmas colors, symbolizing the warmth, cheer, and tradition of the holiday season. The beauty of a red and green-themed scavenger hunt is its simplicity and universal appeal. These colors are everywhere during this time of year, so it’s easy to find the items on the list, making this one of the best ideas for Christmas scavenger hunt. Encourage participants to search for unique items like red apples, green holiday candles, plaid scarves, or even snacks with festive packaging.
Here are a few clues to include in this themed Christmas scavenger hunt
- A red ornament with a green ribbon
Hint: A decoration that hangs and catches the holiday lights. - A green holiday mug filled with red candy
Hint: Perfect for holding a warm drink or some sweet treats. - A holiday sweater with red and green patterns
Hint: This cozy clothing item will keep you warm and festive. - A wrapped gift with red and green wrapping paper
Hint: Something waiting to be unwrapped under the tree. - A green stocking with red trim
Hint: Hung up with care, waiting for treats and surprises.
2.9 Find Something a Snowman Would Like to Wear
This holiday scavenger hunt idea lets your colleagues get a little creative. In this activity, you might look for classic items, like badges and scarves, or something different, like mittens or jackets used to decorate a snowman. You can also give special mention to the participants who go the extra mile and collect everything on the list.
Here’s a sample clue list to plan this activity
- Something to wrap around the snowman’s neck
Item to find: A scarf
- An accessory that adorns the snowman’s head
Item to find: A hat
- This helps the snowman to breathe
Item to find: A faux carrot
- A stylish eyewear to add some flair
Item to find: Sunglasses
Item to find: Adds personality and could be used for the snowman’s buttons or decor.
2.10 Organize a Christmas Carol Scavenger Hunt
Give a musical makeover to your Christmas party scavenger hunt ideas as you look for the perfect items to go with classic carol lyrics. It’s a fun way to bring the timeless charm of “Jingle Bells” or “Dashing through the Snow” to your remote holiday celebrations. Participants will be on the hunt for Tiny Tims or Scrooge’s Miserly Hat as they participate in this holiday scavenger hunt.
Here are a few musical clues to consider for this activity:
- “Jingle Bells”
Item to find: A small bell or something that jingles
Hint: You’ll need this item if you want to make spirits bright as you dash through the snow!
- “Frosty the Snowman”
Item to find: A hat or a corn cob pipe (or something resembling it)
Hint: This is the magical piece Frosty wore that brought him to life!
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Item to find: Something red, like a nose or a bright red ornament
Hint: Just like Rudolph, this item will help “guide the sleigh tonight” with its bright color.
- “Deck the Halls”
Item to find: A festive wreath or garland
Hint: Something you would hang around to “deck the halls with boughs of holly.”
- “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
Item to find: A pear (for a partridge in a pear tree) or a small bird decoration
Hint: Think of the gift given on the very first day of Christmas in this classic carol.
2.11 Locate Something from a Famous Christmas Movie
Put your Hollywood knowledge to the test and find something that’s connected to famous Christmas movies. Hunt for items that remind you of those special moments from all-time favorite classics like “Home Alone,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “Gremlins.” It could be Silver Bell, Santa’s hat, Christmas treats, or any other decorations from the scene that capture the essence of beloved holiday movies..
Here’s a list of clues related to popular holiday movies-
- Movie: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Item to find: A Grinch figurine
Item to find: An Elf costume or a hat
Item to find: A pair of glasses like Ralphie
Item to find: An Image of the golden ticket
Item to find: A toy plastic spider or a paint can (reference to the booby traps)
2.12 Scavenge for Christmas Food and Drink
Prepare yourselves to scout for some staple Christmas treats around your house in this fun holiday scavenger hunt. You and your team must look at the clues and gather things that match the prompt. This could include items like freshly baked cookies, eggnog, or a mug of hot chocolate.
Here’s a spread of clues to lead your team towards delicious treats:
- A warm, sweet drink topped with whipped cream and maybe a sprinkle of cocoa
Item to find: Hot chocolate
- A crunchy, sweet treat with colorful sprinkles or icing
Item to find: Sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies
- A warm and spiced beverage that captures the holiday spirit
Item to find: Mulled wine or cinnamon tea
- A traditional Christmas dessert with fruits and nuts
Item to find: Fruit cake, plum cake, or any other fruit and nut cake
- A holiday classic that’s frosty, creamy, and spiced
Item to find: Eggnog
3. How to Plan a Perfect Virtual Christmas Scavenger Hunt?
3.1 Select an Online Video Conferencing Platform
Select a video conferencing platform such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, or Google Meet that can accommodate your team easily.
3.2 Pick a Theme
The next step is to plan a theme and prepare a list of items to include for the online holiday party scavenger hunt. Make sure to include things that most players are likely to have in their houses to make the activity inclusive for all.
3.3 Communicate Rules
Prepare a list of general house rules and share it with the participants to avoid confusion during the game.
3.4 Send Out Invitations in Advance
Consider sharing the virtual Christmas scavenger hunt invites at least four weeks in advance to block your team’s calendar for the event.
3.5 Host the Event
Finally, on the event day, explain the theme, walk through the rules, and share the clue list with your team to begin the activity.
4. FAQs
4.1 What are some of the best virtual Christmas scavenger hunt themes?
You and your team can consider themes like Christmas decorations, holiday treats, Pop culture, or holiday costumes for your holiday scavenger hunt.
4.2 What are good clues for a scavenger hunt?
You want your scavenger hunt clues to be mildly challenging but ultimately easy for most people to puzzle out. Remember that the main point of your virtual scavenger hunt is for participants to find items rather than get bogged down on the riddles. If you’re struggling to come up with your Christmas-themed clues, you can find lots of inspiration online.
4.3 How long does a virtual Christmas scavenger hunt event last?
This event usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of items participants need to gather.
