How to set up an indoor Christmas treasure hunt for young children
Updated 30 October 2026 · By Rob and Chris, two Sheffield dads, and our families
Hide three to eight paper stars or picture cards around one room, at heights children can reach, and give them a picture checklist to tick. When everything is found, older children hide a new set for a younger brother or sister.
- Time: about 15 minutes
- Ages: 3 and up, with a part for each age
- In the Famoo calendar as: The red-and-green treasure hunt
What do you need?
- Three to eight paper stars, big decorations or picture cards
- A picture checklist: draw each treasure in a row on a sheet of paper, ready to tick
How do you do it?
- Choose the treasures. A grown-up chooses safe things that are easy to recognise.
- Hide them. Hide them in one room, at a height children can reach. Avoid appliances, stairs and cupboards with anything dangerous inside.
- Show the checklist. Show each picture so children know what they are looking for.
- Hunt together. Look and point, with no climbing. Tick off each find, and leave it in place if someone else is hunting next.
- Swap. Older children hide a new set in easy places for a younger child.
How can each age join in?
- Ages 3 to 5. Find three easy things in easy-to-reach places.
- Ages 6 to 9. Follow a few simple clues and help draw the checklist.
- Ages 10 and up. Write short clues or draw a map of the room, rather than hiding things further away.
Tip
Crouch to your child’s eye level before you hide anything. A spot that looks obvious to a grown-up can be hidden from a metre lower down.
Plan 24 of these into your family’s Advent calendar with Famoo
Famoo has 46 activities like this one, each with picture steps, an elf helper who reads every step aloud, and a part for each age so brothers and sisters can do it together. Join the beta, choose your 24, and a new door opens each day in December.
Famoo is a family app for UK homes, in beta, so things may change. Find out more about Famoo.
