Hey kids, are you looking for a fun new way to play with your Elf on the Shelf this holiday season? We’ve got a magical idea for you. Grab some candy canes, your elf, and get ready for an epic game of hide and seek. Here’s how it works: Have your elf hide the candy canes around the house while you’re sleeping. When you wake up, your elf will give you clues to help find them. But these aren’t just any old candy canes – they’re magic! With each clue, your elf will share a little holiday magic to help spread Christmas cheer. The candy canes could be hidden in plain sight but with a little elf magic, you might just spot them. Are you up for the challenge? Let the games begin! This playful hide and seek adventure with your Elf on the Shelf is sure to become a new Christmas tradition in your home.
Introducing Candy Cane Hide and Seek With Your Elf on the Shelf
Introducing Candy Cane Hide and Seek With Your Elf on the Shelf
Hey kids, want to have some fun with your Elf on the Shelf this Christmas season? Try a game of candy cane hide and seek! Here’s how it works:
Ask your parents to buy a bag of small candy canes. When your elf returns from the North Pole each night, have him hide clues leading to the location of one candy cane. For example, the first clue might be “Look where you brush your teeth, the candy cane is hiding underneath.” Head to the bathroom and find the candy cane!
Follow the clues each day to discover all the candy cane hiding spots. See if you can figure out where your sneaky little elf has concealed the treats before he heads off to report to Santa each night. If you get stuck, don’t worry – your elf will provide another clue to help you out.
Once you’ve found all the candy canes, it’s your turn to hide them for your elf to seek out. Place the clues in spots your elf is sure to check each night like under the Christmas tree, on top of picture frames or inside your stuffed animals. Your elf will have fun searching for the candy canes and reporting back to you on his adventures!
This whimsical Christmas game is sure to delight kids of all ages. Most importantly, it’s a chance to create more holiday magic and make cherished memories with your Elf on the Shelf. Give it a try this season for some extra Christmas cheer!
How to Play Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hide and Seek
Ready for some magical holiday fun with your little scout elf? Candy cane hide and seek is a fun game you can play to build excitement for Christmas and spend quality time together as a family.
How to Play Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hide and Seek
For this game, you’ll need a few supplies: candy canes, ribbon or string, scissors, and of course, your elf on the shelf.
- Have each family member choose 3-5 candy canes to hide around the house while the other players close their eyes. Get creative with the hiding spots! Place candy canes in tree branches, under furniture, in stockings – the options are endless.
- Once all the candy canes have been hidden, open your eyes and try to be the first person to spot one of the candy canes. Gently remove it from the hiding spot, then search for the next one.
- As each new candy cane is found, attach it to the string or ribbon to make a candy cane garland. The first player to find all their candy canes and complete their garland wins!
- Now comes the fun part – your elf gets to hide the candy cane garlands around the house for everyone to search for. Whoever spots an elf first the next morning gets an extra special treat from Santa!
This whimsical game of hide and seek is sure to spread lots of Christmas cheer. Most importantly, enjoy this playful time together as a family. The memories you make will last for years to come!
Fun Places to Hide Candy Canes Around Your Home
The fun of this game is finding creative spots to hide the candy canes for your elf and the kids! Think of places that will spark your child’s imagination and sense of adventure.
The Christmas Tree
This is an obvious spot but also a favourite. Hide candy canes deep within the tree branches or nestle one into the tree skirt. For an extra challenge, hang a candy cane from an ornament hook using ribbon or string.
Stockings
If you have stockings hung by the chimney with care, place a candy cane inside each stocking for your child to discover. For stockings that remain empty until Christmas morning, tape a candy cane onto the outside or attach with ribbon.
Staircases
If you have a staircase, this provides lots of hiding spots. Tape candy canes to the underside of staircases, wedge one between the balusters, or attach to the handrail with ribbon.
Doors
Hide candy canes behind doors, especially closet doors. Tape one onto the back of a door at your child’s eye level. For a more tricky spot, try taping one above the door frame.
Bookshelves
Slide candy canes between books on a shelf. Place them in spots where just the hook is peeking out. Kids will have fun pulling out book after book to find the hidden treats!
Kitchen Cabinets
The kitchen provides many hiding spots like inside cabinets, drawers, on top of the fridge or inside the pantry. Hide candy canes in spots your child can safely reach and be sure to check that all are found to avoid any surprises later!
With so many fun spots to hide candy canes, your elf and kids will have a jolly time seeking out all the treats. Most importantly, use your best judgment for hiding spots that are appropriate and safe for children. Wishing you a magical Christmas game of hide and seek!
DIY Candy Cane Treasure Hunt Clues and Riddles
Once your elf has hidden the candy canes around the house, it’s time for the kids to try and find them! Set up a fun DIY candy cane treasure hunt with clues and riddles to lead the kids to the sweet treats.
Clue #1
I’m red and white,
Stripey and bright,
Hidden away,
Out of sight.
Look high and low,
Where Christmas treasures go!
Hide the first candy cane in the Christmas tree or with the ornaments
Clue #2
I’m sweet like snow,
But not cold, you know!
Look in the place,
Where you find a smiling face.
Hide the second candy cane in a picture frame with a photo of the kids smiling
Clue #3
Round and round I go,
Spreading Christmas cheer as I flow.
Look inside the box,
That helps warm toes and socks!
Hide the third candy cane inside the dryer vent
Keep providing clues and riddles, increasing the difficulty as you go, until all the candy canes have been found. You can also include little notes or messages from your elf to help guide the kids along the way. Once the last treat has been discovered, have your elf welcome the kids back for hot cocoa and a special surprise for completing the quest!
A candy cane treasure hunt is a fun and memorable Christmas activity for kids that sparks imagination and brings the magic of the holidays to life. Your little ones are sure to love following the clues and working as a team to track down where those mischievous elves have stashed the sweets!
Getting Creative With Candy Cane Hiding Spots
Getting creative with your candy cane hiding spots will make the game even more fun for the kids. Think outside the box!
Under furniture
Tuck a candy cane under the couch, chairs or tables. Your elf will have to do some serious searching to spot one of these hiding spots.
Inside cabinets
Open a cabinet door just a crack and slide a candy cane inside. This works great in the kitchen, bathroom or playroom. The kids will have to explore each cabinet carefully to discover the sweet treat.
Inside shoes
Put a candy cane inside each family member’s shoes or slippers. When they go to put them on, surprise! This spot is always a favorite.
Inside electronics
If you have gaming consoles, DVD or Blu-ray players, cable boxes or other electronics, open the disc tray or component door and place a candy cane inside. Kids will get a kick out of checking each device.
Inside books
Choose some favorite books, open to a page in the middle and wedge a candy cane between the pages. This turns reading into a treasure hunt!
Under furniture pads
Lift up furniture sliders or pads under chairs, tables, dressers and hide a candy cane underneath. Replace the pads – the candy canes will be concealed but still accessible.
Inside board games
Open a board game box and hide a candy cane under the instructions, playing cards or game pieces. The next time the family plays, it will be a sweet surprise!
With some clever hiding spots, the kids will have so much fun searching for the candy canes. Your elf is sure to appreciate all the extra effort to make this Christmas game magical! Let the hunt begin!
Making It Magical – Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hide and Seek Ideas
Once your elf has hidden the candy canes around the house, it’s time for the kids to start searching! Here are some fun ideas to make the candy cane hunt magical:
Give your elf a special role
Have your elf guide the kids to the hiding spots. Maybe he leaves little crumbs of crushed candy cane or draws arrows on scraps of paper. This makes it more interactive and fun for the kids. Another idea is to have your elf hold a map that reveals one hiding spot at a time.
Leave clues from your elf
Elves love riddles and clues! Have your elf leave cryptic clues, written in flour or with scraps of paper, leading the kids to the next hiding spot. For example, “sweet and striped, I’m hidden from sight, in a place you turn on for light.” Kids will have a blast solving the clues.
Make it challenging
For older kids, increase the difficulty by hiding the candy canes in harder to reach spots, like tucked into branches of the Christmas tree or inside holiday decorations. You can also try hiding candy canes in plain sight, like in a bowl of red and white ornaments. Kids will have to search carefully!
Offer a prize
Let kids know that whoever finds the most candy canes will win a special prize from your elf. This could be a small toy, book, or treat to make the hunt even more exciting. You can also have a special prize from your elf for the first person to solve a clue or find a tricky hiding spot.
Take pictures
Have your elf take pictures of the hiding spots before the hunt and print them out for an added challenge. Kids have to search the whole house to find where each photo was taken. This magical candy cane hunt is sure to become a favorite Christmas tradition! Let the searching begin!
Candy Cane Prize Ideas for Kids
Once your elf has hidden the candy canes around the house, it’s time for the kids to start searching! To make the game even more fun, have some candy cane themed prizes on hand for the little ones. Here are some ideas:
- Candy cane scented crayons or markers: Kids will love using these to color pictures of their elf or other Christmas scenes. Look for candy cane scented crayons, markers or colored pencils.
- Candy cane play dough: Homemade candy cane scented play dough is easy to make and so much fun for kids. Just add some peppermint extract or crushed candy canes to basic play dough. Roll it out and use cookie cutters to make candy cane shapes.
- Candy cane stickers or tattoos: Kids can decorate cards, pictures or themselves with cute candy cane themed stickers, stencils or temporary tattoos. These make an easy, inexpensive prize option.
- Candy cane coloring pages or activity books: For the crafty kids, coloring pages, crossword or maze books featuring an elf on the shelf candy cane theme would make wonderful prizes.
- Candy cane erasers or pencils: Scented candy cane pencils, erasers or pencil toppers will make doing homework or crafts even more fun.
- Candy cane ornaments or decorations: Have the kids make their own ornaments or decorations to hang on the tree or around the house. Things like paper candy canes, felt stockings or little stuffed elves.
By offering some candy cane themed prizes and activities, the kids will have even more motivation to hunt for those candy canes! Set a prize for whoever finds the most candy canes or maybe offer a small prize to each child when they discover one. Most of all, keep things lighthearted and have fun with your kids. The holidays are a magical time, especially for little ones, so make the most of this special elf adventure!
Safety Tips for Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hide and Seek
When planning an Elf on the Shelf candy cane hide and seek game, safety should be a top priority. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Supervision
Always supervise children during the game and have them take turns finding the candy canes so they stay together. This way no one gets left behind or feels left out of the fun.
Choking hazard
Only use regular sized candy canes, not mini ones. Mini candy canes could be a choking hazard for small children. Wrap part of the hook in tape or ribbon to prevent poking.
Allergy awareness
Be aware of any candy allergies kids may have. Have allergy-friendly treats on hand as an option. Consider non-food items for hiding like small toys, stickers or mini play-doh.
Keep out of sight
Hide the candy canes up high, out of sight and out of reach of young children and pets. This prevents them from finding the candy canes before the game starts and avoids the treats getting knocked onto the floor.
Clear the area
Do a sweep of the area you plan to hide the candy canes in beforehand. Remove any sharp, heavy or breakable objects that could cause injury if stumbled upon during searching.
Set ground rules
Establish some basic rules with the kids before starting the game. No pushing, shoving or grabbing treats from other players. Take turns finding the candy canes. And most importantly, no eating any treats until all have been found and the game is over.
Keeping these safety tips and precautions in mind will help ensure your Elf on the Shelf candy cane hide and seek game is full of fun and laughter, not trips to the emergency room! Have a safe and magical Christmas time!
FAQ – Your Top Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hide and Seek Questions Answered
Your kids will have loads of questions as they hunt for the candy canes your cheeky little Elf has hidden around the house. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you out.
How do we know where to look?
Your Elf will leave little clues and hints to point your kids in the right direction. Maybe a little map, a rhyming riddle or clues written in Christmas lights. The Elf wants to make it challenging but not too frustrating! If your kids get stuck, another clue may magically appear.
- Where are some places the Elf might hide the candy canes?
Your Elf can get pretty creative! Candy canes may be hidden:
- Under furniture (couch, chair, bed)
- In the Christmas tree
- Behind wall decor (pictures, mirrors)
- Inside kitchen appliances (microwave, oven, fridge)
- Under staircases or behind banisters
- Inside board games, DVD cases or book shelves
- Really anywhere in your home! The options are endless.
Do we have to find all the candy canes to win?
Not at all! The Elf just wants your kids to have fun. There’s no set number of candy canes to find. Once your kids seem ready to stop searching, the Elf will announce the game is over – then reveal the location of any remaining candy canes.
- What happens if we can’t find any candy canes?
No need to worry! Your Elf will never make the game too difficult. If your kids are struggling, the Elf may drop more clues or hints to point them in the right direction. As a last resort, the Elf can reveal one candy cane location to get them started. The goal is for everyone to have an enjoyable experience.
- Can friends join in on the fun?
Absolutely, the more the merrier! Invite friends, cousins and neighbors over to join in the search. Your Elf will be sure to hide enough candy canes for everyone. What a fun way to spread some holiday cheer.
Your Elf on the Shelf Candy Cane Hide and Seek is sure to become a fun new holiday tradition for your family and friends! Let the hunting begin!
Go on Do It Yourself
Well there you have it – a fun new Christmas tradition to start with your little ones this holiday season. Their eyes will light up when they wake up to find their elf and a trail of candy canes leading to a special surprise. Not only will the kids have a blast following the clues, but you’ll get to sit back and enjoy their excitement and wonder. After all the work you put in to make Christmas magical as a parent, moments like these make it all worth it. So grab some candy canes, get creative with those clues, and most of all, have fun with it! Your elf and your kids will thank you for it. Merry Christmas and happy hunting!
