Looking for a simple, festive Christmas activity that kids will beg to play again and again? A Candy Cane Hunt is the perfect solution! It’s easy to set up, works for all ages, and adds instant holiday magic—plus I’m sharing a FREE Candy Cane Hunt printable to make it totally stress‑free.
Whether you need a quick classroom game, a family night activity, or a fun alternative to an Easter‑style egg hunt, this candy cane scavenger hunt is a Christmas win. 🎄
Last year I found myself with tons of leftover candy canes from our fun candy cane game .
So we came up with a fun game…candy cane hunt! We just hide candy canes all around the room and the kids have to find them!
What Is a Candy Cane Hunt?
A Candy Cane Hunt is exactly what it sounds like—kids search around the house (or classroom) to find hidden candy canes. Each found candy cane can be checked off on the printable, collected for a prize, or used to unlock a surprise at the end.
It’s:
- 🎅 Easy to set up
- 🎄 Perfect for December parties
- 🍬 Budget‑friendly
- 👧👦 Fun for toddlers through elementary kids
How to Set Up a Candy Cane Hunt
This activity comes together in minutes—perfect for busy parents and teachers.
What You’ll Need:
- Candy canes (real or printable)
- The free Candy Cane Hunt printable
- A printer
- Tape (optional)
Instructions:
- Print the Candy Cane printable or gather your real candy canes.
- Hide candy canes around your home, classroom, or party space.
- Fill out the printable including how many candy canes you have hidden.
- Let the hunt begin!
- Celebrate when all candy canes are found.
Think how fun to put this on the front door when they come home from school!
It would also be fun to do as an “elf on the shelf” idea. Hide some candy canes around the yard and stick the printable on the front door! What a fun surprise!
Fun Variations to Try
Want to switch it up? Here are a few easy twists:
- Color Hunt: Hide red and green candy canes and have kids find specific colors.
- Numbered Hunt: Number the candy canes and match them to the printable.
- Team Hunt: Split kids into teams for classrooms or parties.
- Prize Version: Trade completed printables for a small prize or treat.
When to throw a hunt
This activity is perfect for:
- Christmas classroom parties
- Family game night in December
- Holiday playdates
- Preschool or daycare fun
- Christmas Eve traditions
It’s also a great screen‑free activity that keeps kids moving and engaged during the busy holiday season.
Download the Free Candy Cane Hunt Printable
Ready to start the fun? Grab your free Candy Cane Hunt printable, print it out, and you’re all set for a festive holiday activity kids will love.
👉 Download the free printable here
If you try this Candy Cane Hunt, I’d love to hear how it went! Tag me on social media or leave a comment below.
Happy hunting! 🎄🍭
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