FUN Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunts (Free Printable Clues Included!)

Elf on the Shelf has become a beloved holiday tradition for families everywhere, and part of the fun is watching the mischievous elf get into all sorts of silly antics. To keep the excitement going all season long, I created these free printable Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunts—perfect for adding extra holiday fun and laughter to your home or classroom!

I’ve created one Elf On The Shelf scavenger hunt for home and one for the classroom. The clues are rhyming riddles, so kids have to figure out where to look.

My Editable Elf Letters are a fun way to keep the Elf On The Shelf magic going.

If your kids love scavenger hunts, I also have other scavenger hunt printables:

Creative Ideas To Use The Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt Clues

Daily Elf Hiding Spot – Hide the elf in a new location each day using the clues to guide kids.
Candy Cane Hunt – Place a small candy cane or treat at each clue location for a sweet scavenger hunt.
Mini Challenges at Each Spot – Have kids complete a task at each location, like doing a kind deed, solving a riddle, or drawing a holiday picture.
Classroom Team Hunt – Teachers can have students work together to find the elf and practice teamwork.
Learning Activities – Incorporate educational challenges at each clue: math problems, spelling words, or reading prompts.
12 Days of Elf Adventures – Use the clues as part of a countdown, with a new hiding spot and activity each day leading up to Christmas.
Storytelling Game – Kids write or draw what the elf is doing at each spot, creating a fun holiday story.
Puzzle Piece Hunt – Each clue leads to a puzzle piece, and the final spot completes a holiday picture or message.
Kindness Hunt – At each location, include a small act of kindness challenge for the child to complete.
Photo Challenge – Have kids take a photo of the elf at each hiding spot and make a holiday scrapbook or digital album.
Timed Family Competition – Turn it into a fun race where kids try to find the elf first.
Classroom Reward Game – Students find the elf to earn small prizes or stickers.
Memory Game – After completing the hunt, challenge kids to recall all the hiding spots in order.
Elf Letter Surprises – At each clue, the elf leaves a tiny note with a joke, compliment, or holiday fact.

How To Print The Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt Riddles

Click on the photo or link for the Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt cards you want to print. You can choose from the at home or classroom Elf scavenger hunts.
A PDF file will open. Use the icons in the top right corner to print or download a copy.
Print onto white cardstock for sturdy clue cards.

I share my free files with Google Drive. If you have trouble opening the file, it may be because you’re on a school network that blocks this type of file sharing. Please try from a different internet network.

***These scavenger hunts are for personal or class use and may not be used commercially or for resale.

At Home Scavenger Hunt For Elf On The Shelf

This Elf On The Shelf treasure hunt has clues that lead kids to places inside your house. There are twelve clues for different hiding spots.

Here are the clues in case you’d like to use them in another way:

“I’m feeling a little chilly, near something cold I love to be. Find me where the ice cubes are free!” – Hiding spot: Freezer
“I like to read a lot, in the place where stories are sought.” – Hiding spot: Bookshelf
“I love a morning treat, I’m hiding where we keep the cereal neat.” – Hiding spot: Pantry/cereal boxes
“I love warm and cozy places, snuggled up near soft embraces.” – Hiding spot: Couch or favorite pillow
“I like to spin and twirl, look for me where the clothes swirl.” – Hiding spot: Laundry machine
“I love to stay up late, hiding where you dream and your head rests straight.” – Hiding spot: Bed pillow
“I like to munch and crunch, I’m hiding where you snack for lunch.” – Hiding spot: Kitchen cupboard/snack drawer
“I travel fast on wheels and tracks, look where you store your riding packs.” – Hiding spot: Bike or scooter area
“I’m feeling musical today, hiding where the tunes like to play.” – Hiding spot: Music player or instrument
“Splish, splash, I like to hide, where rubber duckies love to ride!” – Hiding spot: Bathtub
“Sit right down, it’s time to see, your favorite shows appear on me!” – Hiding spot: TV
“I’ve reached the final clue, look where stockings wait for you!” – Hiding spot: Stockings or mantel

PRINT THE AT-HOME ELF ON THE SHELF SCAVENGER HUNT CLUES

Classroom Scavenger Hunt For Elf On The Shelf

This Elf On The Shelf scavenger hunt will lead kids around the classroom to find the elf’s hiding places. There are twelve clues that are rhyming riddles.

Here are the classroom Elf On The Shelf treasure hunt clues:

“I’m where you hang your coat each day, go look there without delay!”
Hiding Place: Coat hooks or cubbies
“Books and stories fill this space, find me hiding in your reading place.”
Hiding Place: Class library/book bin
“Your teacher writes big and tall, find me near the board on the wall.”
Hiding Place: Whiteboard/chalkboard
“I see all the crayons, markers, and glue, I’m hiding where art supplies live too!”
Hiding Place: Art supply station
“I hear pencils go tap, tap, tap—look where they rest when they nap.”
Hiding Place: Pencil cup/jar
“Your teacher sits to grade with care, search around—you’ll find me there!”
Hiding Place: Teacher’s desk
“I peek at words both big and small, find me where they’re pinned on the wall.”
Hiding Place: Word wall/bulletin board
“Where you sit to write and read, look inside—I might take the lead!”
Hiding Place: Inside a student’s desk
“When it’s time to stop or go, this makes a sound to let you know!”
Hiding Place: Classroom timer/bell
“I’m a sneaky little elf. Look where you line up and ready yourself.”
Hiding Place: Line-up spot by the door
“I’m tiny, but I love to play, check where recess games are put away.”
Hiding Place: Recess/game shelf
“You found me once, you found me twice, now check where ornaments look nice!”
Hiding Place: Classroom Christmas tree