Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt: Free Selfie & Riddle Treasure Hunt

Thanksgiving can be a busy day, especially when there’s a feast to prepare and the whole family is gathering under one roof.

While the grown-ups catch up, the kids may need a little something to keep them busy!

That’s where a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt comes in handy. In this post, I’ve put together two types of Thanksgiving scavenger hunts.

A picture-based hunt that’s great for younger kids and a riddle-based treasure hunt for those who love solving clues.

Find both these free printables at the end of this post, along with a host of Thanksgiving themed games.

About the Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt Printables

Scavenger hunts are such a lovely addition to the holiday, it’s fun and gets everyone moving, searching, and figuring things out together.

I’ve put together two free Thanksgiving scavenger hunt printables, each with a slightly different twist.

One is a picture-based hunt where kids can search for familiar Thanksgiving and fall-themed items, while the other is a riddle-based treasure hunt that gets them thinking as they follow one clue to the next.

You can choose whichever suits your family best, or try both if you’re planning a full day of Thanksgiving fun.

They’re great for keeping kids entertained while dinner is being prepared, giving little guests something to do, or adding a playful activity to your holiday gathering.

Let’s take a look at each one!

How to Play the Thanksgiving Selfie Scavenger Hunt

The printable includes 25 pictured items to find, from turkey roast, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie to a scarf, an oven mitt, a board game, and fall decorations. The idea is simple: players must find the items on the list and take selfies with them before the time runs out.

Set a time limit: Give each player or team a copy of the printable and decide how long they have to complete the hunt.

Find and snap selfies: Players must find as many items on the list as possible and take a selfie with each one before time runs out.

Count the selfies: Once the timer ends, count the items each player or team has successfully found and photographed. Whoever has the most selfies wins!

Make it a team challenge: Pair kids with parents or grandparents for a fun activity that gets everyone involved.

Play at any gathering: This game is perfect for Thanksgiving family gatherings, Friendsgiving parties, and other holiday get-togethers.

Adapt the list to your home: Don’t have every item pictured on the printable? No problem! Use whatever you have available and skip anything you can’t find.

How To Play Thanksgiving Riddle-based Treasure Hunt

If your family loves solving riddles and following clues, this Thanksgiving treasure hunt might be just the thing!

Instead of simply searching for objects, players must figure out each riddle to discover where the next clue is hidden.

The printable includes 10 rhyming clues that lead players to different spots around the house, including the refrigerator, pantry, dining table, bookshelf, sofa, and kitchen utensil drawer.

Each solved riddle brings them one step closer to the final destination: the backyard, where you can hide a little Thanksgiving surprise!

Set up the clues: Cut out the printable clues and hide them around your home before the hunt begins. Give players the first clue to get started.

Solve the riddles: Players must figure out each riddle to discover where the next clue is hidden.

Follow the trail: Hide each subsequent clue at the location described by the previous riddle. Players continue solving clues until they reach the final destination.

Prepare a little treasure: Hide a small treat bag, fun prize, or Thanksgiving-themed surprise at the end to reward your treasure hunters.

Adapt the hiding spots: No backyard? A patio, garden, or another suitable location will work just as well. Feel free to adjust the hiding places to suit your home.

Make it fun for all ages: This hunt is perfect for kids who enjoy solving puzzles, but older children and adults can join in too. You can even have family members work together to solve the clues.

A little tip: Every home is different, so get creative with the hiding spots! If you don’t have a pantry, use a kitchen cupboard instead. No bookshelf? A stack of books will do just fine. Adapt the clues to whatever works best in your home!

How to Get the Free Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt Printables

Please Note: The next 2 sections of this post contains affiliate links please see the full disclosure policy.

Follow these simple steps to get your free Thanksgiving scavenger hunt printables and get them ready for game day!

• Enter your email address. Fill in the email form and submit it to receive the free printables, along with more Thanksgiving printables.

• Check your inbox. Look for an email from Oh Well Yes with the download link. If you don’t see it, check your spam, junk, or promotions folder.

• Add Oh Well Yes to your address book. Add the sender’s email address to your contacts so future emails and free printables are easier to find in your inbox.

• Download the PDF. Click the download link in the email and save the printable PDF to your device.

• Open and print the file. Open the PDF and select your HP Home Printer. Choose US Letter paper size (8.5 × 11 inches) and check the print preview before printing.

• Choose your paper. Regular printer paper works well, but cardstock paper is a great option if you’d like sturdier clue cards that are easier to handle.

• Cut out the clues. For the riddle-based treasure hunt, cut along the edges of each clue before hiding them around the house.

• Laminate for reuse. Use sheet protector to protect the clue cards, especially if you’d like to reuse them for future family gatherings.

Thanksgiving Treasure Hunt Gift Ideas

Thanksgiving treats bag: Fill small bags with individually wrapped chocolates, candy corn, fall-colored candies, or other seasonal treats.

Mini pumpkin toys: Give kids mini plush pumpkins, pumpkin stress balls, or cute Thanksgiving-themed toys.

Fall stickers: Put together a little pack of stickers featuring pumpkins, turkeys, autumn leaves, and other fall favorites.

Thanksgiving activity books: Mini coloring books, activity pads, and Thanksgiving-themed puzzles make lovely prizes for younger children.

Fun stationery: Fall-themed pencils, erasers, stickers, and little notebooks are inexpensive and easy to share.

Mini craft kits: Choose a simple autumn craft, such as easy turkey crafts, decorating a pumpkin, or creating a fall leaf collage.

Hot chocolate kits: Put together a small hot chocolate packet with marshmallows and a festive mug for an extra-cozy prize.

A family movie-night coupon: Create a homemade coupon good for choosing the next family movie, complete with popcorn and snacks.

More Fun Thanksgiving Family Games

Who is Most Likely: Play Who Is Most Likely, a perfect game for fall parties, family game nights, and Thanksgiving and dinners

80 Fact or Fiction Thanksgiving Trivia: Challenge your family and friends and see who can separate Thanksgiving facts from myths!

Thanksgiving Guess the Price: A fun party game where everyone tries to guess the prices of Thanksgiving feast staples!

Thanksgiving Worst Advice Ever: Play this hilarious game of Thanksgiving bad advice for tacking equally horrible situations!

Thanksgiving Would you Rather: 90 hilarious and silly “Would You Rather” questions the whole family will love answering!

I hope you liked this game idea; you can get these free games along with a host of other free Thanksgiving printables by signing up the form below.