18 New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt Clues To Ring In The New Year

Looking for New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt clues to make an awesome treasure hunt for your kids? These are the best clue cards for an…

Looking for New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt clues to make an awesome treasure hunt for your kids? These are the best clue cards for an end-of-the-year hunt.

new year's eve scavenger hunt

Treasure hunts are such a fun activity for kids. They get to solve and follow clues and then find a prize or treasure at the end.

I have made quite a few different treasure hunts in the past, and my kids can not get enough of them. They are constantly asking me to make more. With the New Year quickly approaching, I decided to make a New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt as a fun activity to ring in the new year.

These New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt clues are straightforward and not difficult, which allows toddlers and young kids to participate in the fun. Each clue leads to an indoor item found in most houses, such as a broom, pantry, sink, or plate.

This will be such a fun way for your kids to ring in the new year.

This post is all about a New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt.

New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

Supplies for the New Year’s Treasure Hunt

  • New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt Clues Printable
  • Printer
  • Cardstock or Printer Paper (8.5×11)
  • Scissors
  • Tape or Washi Tape
  • New Year’s Gift/Prize
  • Ribbon/Twine (Optional)

Directions

new year's eve scavenger

First, download and print the free New Year’s Eve treasure hunt clues at the bottom of the page. I like to use cardstock like this but, regular printer paper also works.

Neenah White Cardstock

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Next, cut out each clue. 

new year's eve scavenger hunt ideas

While you are cutting out the clues, I recommend numbering them on the back so your kids can be sure they found the correct clue card because some may be in the same room.

new year's eve treasure hunt for kids

I made the mistake of not numbering them for my Christmas scavenger hunt and my kids ended up missing half the clues because they found one out of order.

After the clues are all numbered, set the first clue to the side. This is the one you will give your kids to start their treasure hunt.

new year's eve photo scavenger hunt

*If you would like to roll them up to look like treasure hunt scrolls, number the clues AFTER you’ve rolled and tied them. Otherwise, when you go to hide them you won’t know where each one goes. You can either use twine or fun New Year’s washi tape like this to close the scrolls.

Washi Tape

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Scavenger Hunt Setup

To hide the clues, you will start with the second clue card. This card will be hidden in the riddle’s location of the first clue (dryer or clothesline). 

Then you will hide the third clue card in the location of the second riddle (wherever you keep dinner plates). Keep hiding the clues in the location from the previous clue until you get to the last card.

new year's scavenger hunt

The last clue says “You solved all of the clues so it’s time for your prize. Now go look in your closet for a New Year’s surprise!” You would then put a small prize in their closet.

I like to use the closest as the last location because if you have more than one child like myself then they can do the New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt together but then they each can get their own prize.

While you are hiding the New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt clues, you may want to pull this post up so you can see the order and location of each clue (I have them listed out below).

New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt Clues

Page 1

new year's scavenger hunt clues

1. To end this year with a bang here’s a treasure hunt for you. Put on your thinking cap and solve each and every clue. Once you’ve followed all the clues, you’ll find a special prize. Your first one is waiting where the laundry dries.

  • Answer: Dryer or clothes line

2. Tonight is the night where you get to stay up late. Find your next clue where you’d put away a plate.

  • Answer: Cupboard or spot you put dinner plates

3. The new year starts on January 1st. Find another clue where you quench your thirst.

  • Answer: Water bottle, Gatorade bottle, water dispenser in the refrigerator, or kitchen faucet

4. Do you have any resolutions or goals you have made? Your next clue is where games go after they’ve been played.

  • Answer: Game cupboard
new year's day scavenger hunt

5. Streamers, balloons, and confetti are the best New Year’s decor. Your next clue is hidden somewhere behind a door.

  • Answer: Behind any door in the house

6. Practicing kindness or trying new foods are resolutions you could try. Your next clue is with the pan you’d use to bake a yummy pie.

  • Answer: Pie pan

Page 2

new year's scavenger hunt riddles

7. We’ve filled this year with memories, that we’ll remember for some time. Your next clue is by the thing that holds a penny, nickel, and dime.

  • Answer: Piggy bank or wallet

8. The ball will soon drop in Times Square. Find a clue with the item that brushes hair.

  • Answer: Hair brush

9. Don’t forget to flip your calendar once the new year is here. But right now, it is time to take a look in the mirror

  • Answer: Mirror

10. On New Year’s Eve, it’s fun to party and dress up. Find your next clue where you’d go to get a cup.

  • Answer: Wherever you store cups

11. Times Square is bustling with people all about. Your next clue is by the tub, I have not a doubt.

  • Answer: Tub

12. Can you stay awake til midnight or will you fall asleep? Your next clue is hidden near a thing we use to sweep

  • Answer: Broom or vacuum

Page 3

new year's scavenger hunt printable

13. Soon fireworks will boom and light up the night. The next clue you need is near a switch for a light.

  • Answer: Light switch or lamp switch
new year's eve treasure hunt

14. The clock is ticking, but you’re not done yet. It’s time to check the spot where your hands get wet.

  • Answer: Sink

15. Out with the old and in with the new. The microwave is where you’ll find another clue.

  • Answer: Microwave

16. The last day of December is called New Year’s Eve. Where people set goals they want to achieve. When you’ve decided the goals that you’d like to do. Head to the pantry for your next clue.

  • Pantry or cupboard where food is kept

17. The ball drops at midnight so we don’t have that much time. Your next clue is where you might find basil, oregano, or thyme.

  • Answer: Wherever you keep spices and seasonings
new year's eve selfie scavenger hunt

18. You solved all of the clues, so it’s time for your prize. Now go look in your closet for a New Year’s surprise!

  • Answer: Child’s closet

New Year’s Prize/Gift Ideas

Create Your Own New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt

Are you interested in making your own New Year’s scavenger hunt? Whether you want to create a more challenging hunt or just want more clues to make this one longer I’ve included the blank New Year’s treasure hunt template on the last page of the printable.

new year's scavenger hunt ideas

Print off as many copies as you’d like and write your own clues inside the boxes. I’ve also listed some additional places for your clues to lead:

  • Pillow
  • Bookshelf
  • Dishwasher
  • Rug
  • Stool
  • Garbage Can
  • Puzzle
  • Vacuum
  • Window
  • Towel
  • Blanket
  • Plant
  • Picture Frame
  • Couch
  • Television
  • Shoe bench

FREE Printable New Year’s Treasure Hunt 

Here are the free printable New Year’s Eve treasure hunt clues! You can either download and print it off now or pin this post for later!

printable new year's scavenger hunt
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE

Other New Year’s Activities You May Enjoy!

I hope your kids have a blast doing this New Year’s treasure hunt! I’d love to hear about it.

This Post Was All About New Year’s Eve Scavenger Hunt Clues

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