Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt

I am always thinking of new outdoor activities for the family, and our recent Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt was a hit! My kids were super excited to get outside and search for candy, and for me it was quick to set up, didn’t require much planning, and is a festive way to get everyone outside and moving during the holiday season.

Setting Up the Hunt

Candy Cane Hiding in the Woods

The scavenger hunt was so simple to organize. I grabbed a box of candy canes during a regular grocery trip and spent about 10 minutes hiding them in the woods behind our house while the kids were at school (no peeking!).

Here are a few tips to make it even easier:

• Keep it Fair: I hid one candy cane for each kid in the same spot. This way, they could hunt together, and everyone ended up with the same number of candy canes in the end.

• Pro Tip: Take pictures of the hiding spots—trust me, it helps! 😉

• Mix it Up: If you don’t have candy canes at home and don’t feel like running out to the grocery store, you can repurpose other items you find around the house! Last winter we searched for a dozen rainbow handkerchiefs in the snow!

Also, if outdoor hiding isn’t an option, you can adapt this activity by hiding the candy canes indoors for the same festive fun!

The Big Reveal

When I picked the kids up from school, I told them there was a surprise waiting at home. The car ride turned into a planning session where we decided to use a basket for collecting candy canes and mapped out how they’d search. As soon as we got home, we bundled up in our snow gear and headed straight outside.

By the end of the hunt, the kids had collected 24 candy canes—12 each—and were thrilled to have a sweet treat at the end!

What the Kids Thought

Basket filled with Candy Canes!

My oldest gave it two enthusiastic thumbs up, and my youngest gave it one thumb up (but still loved it). Both agreed it was so much fun and can’t wait to do it again. They loved how it felt like an Easter Egg Hunt, but with a Christmas twist!

Why You Should Try It

This simple activity was a win for our family. It only took a few minutes to set up but started our evening off on the right note and resulted in some quality time outside with the whole family. Whether you do it in your backyard, the woods, or even indoors, a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt is an easy way to add a little holiday magic to your day.

Let me know if you try it! I’d love to hear how it goes for your family.