41 Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas for the Holidays
The holidays are a time for celebration, togetherness, and creating lasting memories. A fun way to engage your community or visitors during the festive season is by organizing a photo scavenger hunt. Whether you’re a destination marketer looking to activate locals or a brand hoping to create buzz, a holiday-themed scavenger hunt can add excitement to the season. Here’s everything you need to know about photo scavenger hunts, how to create one with Explore, and 41 holiday photo scavenger hunt ideas to inspire you!
What is a Photo Scavenger Hunt?
A photo scavenger hunt is an interactive activity where participants are given a list of items or scenarios to find and capture through photographs. These hunts encourage exploration and participation in a fun, competitive way. For the holidays, this could mean snapping photos at iconic holiday locations, festive events, or with themed items.
A photo scavenger hunt can be done anywhere—across a town, within a specific venue, or even digitally through a platform like Explore. Participants may receive clues or specific challenges, such as "Take a photo with Santa" or "Snap a picture of holiday lights in your neighborhood." The goal is to check off items from the list and share their finds for a chance to win prizes, gain points, or simply enjoy the holiday spirit.
How to Create a Photo Scavenger Hunt
Creating a photo scavenger hunt has never been easier, especially with Explore’s gamified tools for destination marketers and brands. Here’s how to set one up:
Define Your Theme & Goals: Decide on a holiday theme that aligns with your goals. Is it about increasing foot traffic to local businesses, celebrating community traditions, or simply encouraging people to have fun? Consider the local sights, activities, and events that represent the holiday season in your area.
Select Participating Locations & Activities: Using Explore, you can easily add locations, activities, and offers to your scavenger hunt. Map out key locations in your town or venue where participants can complete challenges (e.g., take photos at a decorated park, in front of a holiday-themed window display, or at a festive food stand).
Design Your Hunt: Customize the activities participants will need to complete. For a holiday scavenger hunt, activities might include “Take a selfie with Santa,” “Snap a photo at a holiday light display,” or “Find the holiday gingerbread house and take a photo.”
Engage and Reward: Add incentives to keep participants motivated, like offering digital badges, discounts, or entry into a prize raffle for completing the scavenger hunt. With Explore, participants can easily check in to locations, earn points, and climb leaderboards, creating a fun competitive element.
Promote the Hunt: Use your digital channels—email, social media, and your website—to spread the word. Encourage participants to share their photos online, using a branded hashtag to boost visibility.
Benefits of Photo Scavenger Hunts
A photo scavenger hunt can be a powerful tool for both destination marketers and brands. Here are some of the key benefits:
Community Engagement: A scavenger hunt is a fun, interactive way to engage your local community or visitors. It encourages people to get out, explore, and experience the best that your destination or brand has to offer.
Increased Foot Traffic: By tying the scavenger hunt to specific locations, you can drive visitors to businesses, attractions, and areas of your town that might otherwise go unnoticed. It’s a win-win for local businesses and for your marketing efforts.
User-Generated Content: Participants share their photos, which can be leveraged as user-generated content (UGC) to promote your destination or brand on social media, providing organic, authentic exposure.
Economic Impact: With increased foot traffic to businesses and locations, photo scavenger hunts can lead to higher spending in local shops, restaurants, and attractions. This can have a measurable economic impact on your community during the busy holiday season.
Enhanced Brand Awareness: For brands, incorporating your products or services into a holiday scavenger hunt increases exposure and can help you create emotional connections with your audience. Think about using holiday-themed challenges that tie directly into your brand’s values or mission.
41 Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas for the Holidays
Ready to kick off your holiday photo scavenger hunt? Here are 41 creative ideas to get you started:
1. Snap a selfie with Santa Claus
Capture the magic of the season by snapping a picture with Santa, whether at a mall, holiday event, or a festive pop-up.
2. Take a pic of your favorite holiday window display
Holiday window displays are often full of charm and creativity—find one that stands out and take a photo!
3. Capture a photo of your favorite holiday lights display
Nothing says “holiday season” like twinkling lights—find a house or tree adorned with lights and snap the perfect shot.
4. Snap a pic with a festive cocktail
Whether it’s a peppermint martini or spiked hot cocoa, make sure to capture your festive drink in all its holiday glory.
5. Take a photo at the community tree lighting
Pose at the annual community tree lighting - the official kick-off to the holiday season.
6. Find a (rein)deer and snap a pic!
Whether real or fake, (rein)deer make for a whimsical holiday photo opportunity.
7. Visit a Christmas market and snap a pic of your favorite artisan
Christmas markets are a hub of festive cheer—find a unique stall and take a snapshot of the holiday spirit.
8. Snap a photo with a snowman (real or inflatable!)
If you can’t build a snowman, find one in your community—whether it's made of snow or air!
9. Capture a photo of a holiday-themed food or drink
Holiday treats like gingerbread cookies or a cozy mug of eggnog make for a mouthwatering photo.
10. Take a picture of a car decorated for the holidays
Many people decorate their cars for the holidays—catch one in the act with a festive photo.
11. Take a picture of unique holiday decorations
Seek out quirky or rare holiday decorations to showcase the diversity of holiday cheer.
12. Take a photo with a holiday treat
Capture the beauty of freshly baked holiday treats—whether it’s a Yule log, Christmas cookies, or a pie!
13. Snap a pic of a holiday wreath
Wreaths are a timeless holiday decoration—take a picture of a stunning one hanging on a door or displayed in a shop.
14. Take a photo aboard the Polar Express Train
Grab your ticket for the annual Polar Express and take a photo to share
15. Snap a pic at the local ice skating rink
Embrace the season with a classic winter activity—capture the joy of ice skating at a local rink.
16. Take a picture with a festive pet
Find an adorable pet in a holiday costume or a reindeer display for a cute and memorable photo.
17. Find a holiday-themed book
Visit a local bookstore and photograph yourself with a book that captures the holiday spirit.
18. Take a photo playing in the snow
Capture the fun of winter by snapping a picture of your family or friends enjoying a winter activity like sledding or snowshoeing.
19. Snap a pic at the holiday pop-up bar
Pop-up bars are all the rage (If you’ve been living under a rock, check out Miracle Bar!). Gather a group of friends for a night of festive bar hopping and snap a pic.
20. Find a snow-covered park or bench
If you're lucky enough to have snow, capture its peaceful beauty with a serene photo of a snow-covered scene.
21. Take a photo doing a holiday tradition
From hanging the stockings to holiday shopping, take a photo doing your favorite things during the holidays.
22. Take a photo of the community Hanukkah menorah
Find the town's public menorah display and capture its beauty, especially as it’s lit for one of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
23. Snap a pic while watching a classic holiday movie
Check out a holiday movie screening at a local theater, park or even in your own home and capture the festivities.
24. Visit a Christmas tree farm
Head to a Christmas tree farm to capture rows of beautifully trimmed trees, ready to bring holiday cheer to families.
25. Take a photo wearing your favorite holiday sweater
Holiday sweaters are iconic—find a fun one and snap a photo to show off its festive style.
26. Take a photo with a gingerbread house
Visit a bakery or home where a gingerbread house is on display and capture its sweet holiday charm.
27. Take a selfie with your favorite holiday ornament
Whether on your own tree or a local display, snap a photo with a beautiful holiday ornament that brings you joy.
28. Find a holiday-themed public art display
Whether it’s a sculpture, mural or even a drone show (!) - find holiday themed public art in your local area and capture it with a photo.
29. Get a picture of an elf on the shelf in a store or at home
This holiday tradition brings a fun and playful touch—capture an elf on the shelf in a surprising location!
30. Find a holiday street sign or street name and take a picture
Look for festive street signs or streets with holiday names that make for a unique photo.
31. Take a selfie with Christmas carolers
Capture the holiday spirit by snapping a selfie with a group of Christmas carolers, whether they’re performing on a street corner or at a local event.
32. Take a photo with a holiday gift wrapping station
Capture the joy of gift wrapping at a local event or department store—bonus points if you’re wrapping a gift!
33. Snap a picture of your holiday shopping haul
Celebrate your holiday shopping by snapping a picture of your haul—whether it’s from a local market or mall.
34. Take a picture at a holiday toy drive or charity event
Spread some cheer by snapping a photo while donating toys or participating in a charity event.
35. Take a photo of your first snow of the season
The first snow is always magical—capture it in all its beauty, whether it’s falling or dusting the ground.
36. Capture a photo of a holiday parade float
The annual holiday parade is fun for the whole family —capture your favorite float.
37. Take a selfie while making holiday cookies
Get into the kitchen and bake holiday cookies—document the fun with a photo of your culinary creations.
38. Take a picture with a holiday-themed board game
The holidays and board games go hand-in-hand. Capture the joy of a cozy night in by snapping a pic of game night.
39. Participate in a holiday-themed event
From Santa Cons to winter wonderlands, pop-up events are perfect for finding a fun photo opportunity.
40. Take a photo of your family wearing matching holiday pajamas
Whether it’s a family tradition or a fun one-time activity, capture a photo of everyone in matching holiday pajamas.
41. Take a photo at a local ice sculpture
Ice sculptures are magical during the holidays—find one in your town and capture this work of art with a photo.
A holiday photo scavenger hunt is the perfect way to engage your community, gather festive User Generated Content (UGC), encourage exploration, and drive foot traffic to local businesses and events. By using Explore, you can easily design and manage your scavenger hunt, integrating local businesses, activities, and offers to create an unforgettable experience for participants.