The Ultimate Christmas Scavenger Hunt List for Teens and Tweens

Scavenger hunts are a fun way to get teens and tweens to have some safe fun during the holidays. The only problem is coming up with things for those kids to find on their scavenger hunt. This list will give you some basic ideas on where to start.

(1) Plastic Santa Claus.

(2) Red Stocking.

(3) A Santa Claus Hat.

(4) A Light Up Candle.

(5) A Candy Cane.

(6) A Christmas Present.

(7) Mistletoe.

(8) Holly Leaf.

(9) Cartoon Wrapping Paper.

(10) An Angel.

(11) A White Christmas Tree Light.

(12) Hot Cocoa.

(13) A Star.

(14) A Christmas Cookie.

(15) Coal.

(16) A Mitten or Glove.

(17) A Tree Ornament.

(18) A Christmas Card.

(19) An Orange.

(20) Nuts.

This year's Christmas scavenger hunt will be better than ever!Nuts are one of those things that typically end up in the bottom of your Christmas stocking. You can even offer bonus points to those kids that can bring more than one variety of nut. Everyone adds an apple to their scavenger hunt list because it's easy to find, but this year try having your teens look for an orange. It's still easy to find, but it's something a little more unusual. Bonus points can go to anyone who can find a Hanukkah card or even a Christmas postcard. Or offer bonus points to anyone who can find the envelope that came with the card. You can customize this one by having your kids find a specific type of ornament like a snowman or a reindeer.

Hopefully all of your kids will be wearing mittens or gloves if your scavenger hunt ventures outside so this should be the easiest thing for them to find on the list. If you want to add something completely unique and different, try asking your kids to locate a piece of coal. Keep a box of coal shaped candy in the room for those with keen eyes. Bonus points can go to anyone who can find bring back a homemade cookie or those who find something different like a candy cane shaped cookie. Just like the angel, any star will do. They can bring you a picture of one, a cookie or even bring in a Christmas card with a star on the front. Offer bonus points to those who show up with a fresh cup of cocoa made, but give points to those who find a packet too.

What could be easier than finding one simple little Christmas tree light? Let your teens know that their scavenger hunt list is only complete with a white light, no other color will work. It doesn't have to be a tree topper, any angel will work. Your kids can even bring in a picture of an angel or a cookie if they can find one. Cartoon wrapping paper is something fun and different. Your kids can look for their favorite character or concentrate on finding a roll. Since a holly leaf can be hard to find, you can either ask for help from your community or let your kids just find a leaf. With the snow falling, it will be hard enough to find any leaves.

Mistletoe usually appears over doorways, but kids can also find it in the grocery store now. If you're worried about them locating it, ask some of your friends and neighbors to hang bunches outside their house. Kids will love finding someone willing to let them borrow a Christmas present for a few hours, especially if it's one of their own presents. What would Christmas be without candy canes? You can even reward those tweens and teens who find candy canes in a non-traditional flavor like pineapple.

Thousands of people keep plastic candles in their window at Christmas time so this will force your kids to actually ask for help from those in the neighborhood. Many people have an old Santa hat sitting around in their house so it should be something easy they can find. Everyone has access to a Christmas stocking, so this should be an easy find for your kids. If you want to amp up your scavenger hunt, offer bonus points to anyone who can find a stocking in a different color like purple, green or blue. Make things a little harder by forcing your kids to show proof they actually borrowed the Santa Claus. They can bring in a note from the owner or even bring the owner in at the end of the scavenger hunt.