Magic by Morning Tonight

Elf Scavenger Hunt

Your elf is hiding somewhere new and left five clues to find them, with a small surprise at the end.

A 10-minute idea for The Elf on the Shelf® or any elf doll.

  • 10 min
  • No mess
  • Medium
  • Ages 4–7, Ages 8+

What you need

  • paper
  • a pen
  • a small treat

How to set it up

  1. Write five short clues that each point to a spot, like: Where your toothbrush sleeps. Under a couch cushion. Inside your shoe.
  2. Leave the note and clue one at your elf's usual spot, then hide each next clue where the one before points.
  3. Hide your elf with a small treat where the last clue points.

Safety check

Keep clues and your elf away from stairs, outlets and high spots kids would climb to. If you have a dog, make the treat a sticker or a small toy, not chocolate. How we check

An elf doll hiding behind a couch cushion beside a small wrapped treat, at the end of a trail of paper clues.

Note from your elf: I'm hiding somewhere new! Follow five clues to find me and a small surprise.

AI illustration of Moss, our own elf. Yours will look a little different.

Written with AI · Checked against our safety list · How we check

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