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Holiday Photo Scavenger Hunt: A Festive Twist for Your Gatherings

Writer's picture: Heather SchingelHeather Schingel

The holidays are a time for laughter, connection, and creating memories. Why not take it up a notch this season with a fun and interactive holiday photo scavenger hunt? Whether hosting a cozy family get-together, a lively holiday party, or making a fun activity for kids, this activity is perfect for bringing everyone together while capturing the festive spirit.


What Is a Holiday Photo Scavenger Hunt?

A holiday photo scavenger hunt is a playful game where participants search for specific holiday-themed items or moments and capture them in photos. It’s an engaging way to encourage creativity, teamwork, and a little friendly competition while documenting all the fun.

A Polaroid photo with the word "Memories" written on it, placed on a cozy holiday-themed background featuring red berries, white textured fabric, and warm tones of branches.

How to Plan Your Scavenger Hunt


1. Set the Scene

Choose a location for your hunt—your home, a holiday party venue, or even outdoors in a decorated neighborhood. Make sure the space offers plenty of opportunities for festive photos.


2. Create a List of Prompts

Compile a mix of easy, funny, and creative photo prompts that fit your gathering’s vibe.

Three smiling children dressed in colorful winter jackets and hats taking a selfie with a snowman wearing a striped scarf and knit hat, set against a snowy forest backdrop.

Here are some ideas:

  1. A sparkling holiday ornament

  2. Someone wearing a Santa hat

  3. A plate of cookies with one bite taken

  4. A festive drink

  5. The brightest holiday light display

  6. A silly holiday sweater

  7. Someone singing a holiday song

  8. A creative pose with wrapping paper

  9. A pet in a holiday outfit

  10. A mistletoe moment (real or staged!)

  11. A kid building a snowman (real or fake!)

  12. Someone is making a funny face in front of the tree

  13. A tower made of wrapped presents

  14. A holiday drawing or craft project

  15. A close-up of tiny hands holding a holiday cookie

  16. A child dressed as their favorite holiday character (e.g., elf, reindeer, etc.)

  17. A group photo of kids wearing matching PJs or holiday outfits

  18. A “snowball fight” (use cotton balls or pretend!)

  19. Kids pretending to "fly" like reindeer

  20. A child’s reaction to opening a gift


A collage of holiday-themed items including a Polaroid camera with printed photos, a red sweater with a reindeer design, a Santa hat, mistletoe, a decorated Christmas tree, gingerbread cookies, and rolls of colorful wrapping paper, arranged on a white background.

3. Gather Supplies

Ensure participants have what they need to join the fun. Smartphones are ideal for snapping photos and sharing them instantly. For a nostalgic touch, you could also use disposable cameras or Polaroids.


4. Set the Rules

Define clear guidelines to keep the hunt running smoothly:

  1. A time limit (e.g., 30-60 minutes)

  2. Boundaries for where participants can search

  3. Instructions on how to share completed photos. Here are some ideas:

    1. Uploading photos to a shared digital folder (e.g., Dropbox).

    2. Sending photos to a group chat or event thread.

    3. For little kids using Polaroid cameras: Create a festive collection station, like a decorated box or pin board, to display their completed photos for everyone to admire.


5. Add a Competitive Twist

Offer prizes for categories such as:

  1. Most creative photo

  2. Funniest pose

  3. Best use of props

  4. Most completed prompts


A group of friends in festive holiday attire, including reindeer antlers and Santa hats, gathered around a table, smiling and clinking glasses in a cheerful holiday celebration.

Sharing the Memories

Once the scavenger hunt ends, the fun isn’t over! Keep the festive spirit alive by celebrating everyone’s creativity and the moments they captured:


  • Host a Photo Showcase: Gather everyone together and share your favorite shots in a slideshow or display them on a TV screen. Add some music or narration to make it extra fun!

  • Social Media Highlights: Post the funniest, most creative, or most heartwarming photos on social media. Use a unique hashtag for your event, like #HolidayHunt2024, so everyone can easily find and share the memories.

  • Create a Keepsake: Collect the best photos to make a digital album, holiday photo book, or even a set of custom postcards. These keepsakes can be shared with family and friends or saved as a treasured reminder of your gathering.

  • Set Up a Voting Contest: Let participants vote on the “best photo” in categories like funniest, most festive, or most creative. Award small prizes to keep the excitement going.

  • Decorate Your Space: Print out the best photos and use them to decorate your home or party space. Hang them as part of a festive garland or create a collage on a bulletin board.

  • Send a Holiday Newsletter: Include the scavenger hunt highlights in your holiday cards or emails. It’s a great way to share the joy with those who couldn’t attend.

These steps help turn a simple activity into lasting memories that everyone can enjoy long after the holiday season ends.


Why Try a Holiday Photo Scavenger Hunt?

  1. Breaks the Ice: It’s a fantastic way to get people mingling, laughing, and connecting—perfect for family gatherings or holiday parties with guests who may not know each other well.

  2. Encourages Creativity: Participants can let their imagination run wild with the prompts, making each photo as unique and fun as they want. From silly poses to artsy angles, the sky's the limit!

  3. Creates Keepsakes: The photos from the hunt aren’t just for the moment—they become cherished memories you can print, share, or use in a holiday photo book.

  4. Engages All Ages: It’s an activity that everyone can enjoy, from little kids to grandparents. Plus, everyone gets to shine with their unique take on the prompts.

  5. Adds Festive Fun to Any Event: Whether hosting a cozy family gathering or a big holiday bash, a scavenger hunt adds a layer of excitement and interaction that makes your event unforgettable.

  6. Encourages Teamwork: Forming teams adds a fun, collaborative element for larger gatherings. Teams can work together to brainstorm creative ideas and snap winning shots.

  7. Gets Everyone Moving: Perfect for burning off some holiday energy! Guests can roam around, exploring the space while searching for the following prompt.


Add extra joy to your holiday gatherings with a photo scavenger hunt! This simple yet delightful activity is a perfect way to celebrate the season while creating unforgettable memories. Have you ever hosted or participated in a holiday photo scavenger hunt?


Drop a comment below with your favorite prompts or ideas—we’d love to hear from you!

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