A Christmas Tree Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to spend quality time together during the holidays. It doesn't require much at all. I think the hardest part may just be setting aside the time to do one and setting an intention to put aside the distractions that keep us away from enjoying the simpler things in life. Everything from there... flows.
Are you ready? Here's a bit of a roadmap for one you'd like to follow.
1) Let's establish the goals!
Most importantly - have fun!
Let the kids be kids.
Give yourself a break from holiday expectations.
2) Lean into holiday wear!
Maybe an ugly sweater. Maybe that really fabulous Christmas outfit. Maybe flannel. Let the kids pick out what they want to wear. If you have Santa hats, that's something we've always found to be an easy way to set a fun vibe.
Don't forget the cameras. Your phones can always work as a default. Something retro to try might be a disposable camera. Make sure you teach your kiddos how to take a picture. Having them take photos has always resulted in laughter, chuckles. and incredible amusement for us.
3) To plan or go with the flow?
You can either plan out your stops or just go with the flow. We find that our kids have the most energy in the morning so we usually start with something that works with that.
Try not to time yourself or the kids or even stick to a schedule - unless you want to of course. For us, we pretty much let the kids lead, take photos, and we'll chase after them and enjoy the scenery ourselves.
4) Bring coffee.
Or not, if you don't drink caffeine. We do. It helps combat the fatigue of having 2 young kids and also allows us to indulge in a holiday drink if we stop at a coffee shop.
5) Talk with the kiddos!
Ask the kids questions about what they see. Where they'd like to go. What ornaments they like the most. If they are looking for a particular tree or decoration or anything. I guess what I'm trying to say is, engage with them.
Children have this magical power of being able to slip into the holiday spirit in a split second. If we follow them, we get to join. And that's priceless.
6) Eat, Drink, & Be Merry!
Have a meal someplace really festive. Talk about your day. Share jokes. Tell stories about your own Christmas' past. Or, talk about Santa, the toys they'd like, and about how Santa has that really handy nice or naughty list he checks twice. Ask them which list they think they are on and why.
7) Christmas Lights = Magic
Try to end someplace where they can see lights. There is a wonder in seeing lights on a winter night.
Sing a carol at some point. Maybe play holiday music in the car. And when your kids start singing make sure to tell them you think they are amazing. Notice, I didn't say you had to comment on whether or not they are singing well. At some point, my kids will worry if the notes they hit are in key. I'd like to push that day way far into the future if possible. Til then, belt away!
Ok, so this might sound like a lot. But I'm hoping it also sounds like a break from the usual. A chance. A time to pause and spend time with those who matter most.
8) Some things I would highly recommend
Try not to go shopping, even window shopping, unless it's what the kids want to do. There will always be time to do that. We only get so many Christmas' with our kids til they go off on their own.
9) Go phone free
Well, except if your phone is the only available camera. You might just miss one of those magical moments. One of the fastest ways to reconnect with ourselves and our children is by taking away things that distract us.
10) The Most Important Step IMHO
Look your kids in the eye and tell them at some point, "I'm really having a lot of fun with you." Because, well, I hope you are. And I'm almost certain that would mean the world to them.
So there you have it. Oh, and at the bottom is a printout of the map Wilbur and Willa used. One fun way to do the scavenger hunt is to print out the map and then use a Fujifilm Instax Mini camera and let the kids take pictures of each tree like Wilbur and Willa did in the book. Then, bring along some tape and have them tape the photo to the map. At the end of the day, they'll have something to show for their adventure which they can proudly put up in their room or in your home.
Don't forget to print out all the photos from the day and have the kids put them in an album. From time to time, during the year, bring out the album and have them tell you the story of that day.
One of the most insightful and delightful things I indulge in is listening to the stories my kids have to tell. Giving them that time and space to tell me from their perspective what's happened and what they remember.
However you take on this scavenger hunt, I hope it at the very least creates memories for both you and the little ones you share it with.
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