A rhyming christmas treasure hunt for ages 3–7. Read the story, hide the clues around the house and let the elves-in-training follow the trail to the jingle bell. Here are free clues to start with, and a printable version with your child’s name and your own hiding spots.
Read this out loud before the first clue. It turns “go find some cards” into a mission.
A Letter from Santa
Ho ho ho, Elves-in-Training!
This is Santa Claus writing from the North Pole. Last night my sleigh hit a big bump right over your house, and my magic jingle bells went flying! They tumbled down the chimney and are hiding all around your home.
Without its jingle bells, my sleigh can’t fly on Christmas Eve. So I am making you official Elves-in-Training! I have tucked eight Jingle Bell cards along the trail. Each one has a rhyming riddle that tells you where to search next.
Elves work together, take turns and use their sharpest eyes. Give a merry “Ho ho ho!” every time you find a card. Follow the trail to the very end, where a special surprise is waiting!
Your first Jingle Bell card is attached. Off you go, little elves!
Merry wishes,
Santa Claus, North Pole
Write each riddle on a card and hide it at the answer to the clue before it. The first clue goes in the kids’ hands after the story.
Ho ho, oh no! The sleigh hit a bump,
And the jingle bells scattered with one great big THUMP!
Jingle, jingle! A bell! You found it, hooray!
Now hurry, young elves, the next one’s this way!
One bell is left, the most magical one,
Find it and Santa can fly, oh what fun!
The printable Santa’s Jingle Bell Rescue has your child’s name on every page and a rhyming clue for each spot in your home, including ones you type in, like “Grandma’s piano”. You get a host guide, the story briefing, clue cards with pictures for little ones and a finisher certificate, plus Host Mode on your phone for party day. It’s $9.99 and arrives by email in minutes.
