Christmas Quest: The Reindeer's Lost Jingle Bell

Ages 3–8 · 8 picture or riddle clues · letter on every card · free printable

A free printable Christmas treasure hunt: eight picture or riddle clues each carry a letter, and the letters spell out where the reindeer's lost jingle bell is hiding. Great for ages 3–8.

Two ways to play: picture clues (ages 3–6) show the next hiding place, and riddle clues (ages 6+) hide the picture and the place name behind a riddle. Your setup sheet always lists where every card goes.

The story — read it out loud

Oh no! A little reindeer flew over our roof last night and her jingle bell fell off. Without it, she can't jingle! The bell left a trail of clues all around our home, and every clue has a magic letter. Collect all the letters to find out where the bell is hiding!

Choose the clue style

Picture clues · ages 3–6Each card shows a big picture of the next hiding place — no reading needed.Riddle clues · ages 6+No pictures or place names on the cards — just a riddle to solve.

Make it fit your home

Tap a hiding place to switch it on or off (4–12 places). New places are added at the end; the last place is where the treasure waits.

Include rhymesInclude fun missions

Treasure spot (revealed by the letter sheet):

A4 or US Letter · setup checklist, 10 cards, the letter sheet, blank draw-your-own clues and a certificate

The clue cards

START · Clue 1
Letter for box 6
Look by the window!
The reindeer flew past in the night —
check the window, frosty and white!
Clue 2 of 8hidden by the window
Letter for box 1
Look in a shoe!
Snowy boots go stomp, stomp, stomp —
look inside, then jump and romp!
Mission: Do 5 reindeer jumps, then go look!
Clue 3 of 8hidden in a shoe
Letter for box 5
Look in a coat pocket!
Hats and mittens, scarves and coats —
check the pocket for reindeer notes!
Clue 4 of 8hidden in a coat pocket
Letter for box 7
Look on the fridge!
Cold as snow and icy too —
the fridge is hiding your next clue!
Clue 5 of 8hidden on the fridge
Letter for box 8
Look under a sofa cushion!
Cozy cushions, warm and deep —
where the reindeer took a sleep!
Mission: Waddle like a penguin to the next spot!
Clue 6 of 8hidden under a sofa cushion
Letter for box 3
Look on the bookshelf!
Winter stories, old and new —
one of them is hiding a clue!
Clue 7 of 8hidden on the bookshelf
Letter for box 4
Look under a pillow!
Snowflake soft and fluffy white —
look under the pillow, quick and light!
Clue 8 of 8hidden under a pillow
Letter for box 2
Look under the Christmas tree!
Twinkle lights and a shiny star —
look under the tree, wherever you are!
Mission: Sing a jingle song first!
Unlock · Card 9hidden under the Christmas tree
Spell it out!
Put each letter in its numbered box on the letter sheet. The word tells you where the jingle bell is hiding!
Treasure · Card 10hidden in a stocking
Jingle, jingle!
You found the reindeer's lost jingle bell! Thank you, super Bell Finder!

The finale: Spell it out

Each clue card carries one letter and the number of its box. The letters come in a jumbled order, so kids have to put them in the right boxes on the letter sheet to spell where the treasure is.

The treasure waits in a stocking — a spot that isn't one of the clue stops, so the pieces really matter. This time the letters spell STOCKING.

Where to hide each card

Give card 1 (the START card) and the letter sheet to your child.
Hide card 2 by the window.
Hide card 3 in a shoe.
Hide card 4 in a coat pocket.
Hide card 5 on the fridge.
Hide card 6 under a sofa cushion.
Hide card 7 on the bookshelf (bottom shelf).
Hide card 8 under a pillow.
Hide the unlock card (card 9) under the Christmas tree.
Hide the treasure card (card 10) and your treat or gift in a stocking — the letter sheet reveals this spot.

How to play

1. Pick a quest and print. Choose a story, swap any hiding places that don't fit your home, then print the cards on A4 or US Letter paper and cut them out.
2. Hide the cards. Follow the parent checklist (it's also the answer key): hide card 2 at the first place, card 3 at the next, and so on. The checklist tells you where the treat or gift goes.
3. Read the story and go!. Read the story out loud and hand over card 1. Picture clues show where the next card is hiding — no reading needed; riddle clues make older kids think it out.

Tips

Hide the cards in reverse order: start with the treasure, finish with card 2.
Keep every clue at kid height and in safe spots — never near the stove, stairs or an open window.
For non-readers, point at the picture and ask: "Where is this in our house?"
Big kids can switch to riddle clues — or read the rhymes out loud and help hide the clues for a younger sibling.
Want a talking clue? Record a message with a free voice card and hide it at the last stop.

More home quests

Keep the memories from your quest

Save your kid's treasure maps and drawings — with their voice — in Jerry's Artbox.