Christmas Scavenger Activity

Autism-Friendly Christmas Scavenger Hunt: A Calm, Playful Seasonal Activity

Christmas can be a joyful time, but it can also bring heightened sensory input, unpredictability, and social demands for many Autistic children. Seasonal activities that are visually clear, low pressure, and flexible can support engagement without adding unnecessary stress. This free Autism Christmas Scavenger Hunt was created with those principles in mind.

The scavenger hunt uses simple, recognisable Christmas visuals such as a tree, snowman, bell, presents, and gingerbread figure. The clear layout and visual structure support processing, predictability, and shared understanding. Children can search for items at their own pace, with no requirement to compete, rush, or complete the activity in one sitting.

This resource can be used across a range of environments, including at home, in early years settings, classrooms, or during family gatherings. It can support shared attention, joint activity, and gentle conversation, while also allowing Autistic children to opt in and out as needed. For some children, it may support visual scanning, categorisation, and focus. For others, it may simply offer a calm, enjoyable seasonal moment.

Importantly, there is no “right” way to use this scavenger hunt. It can be adapted, simplified, paused, or revisited over multiple days. Autistic children should always be supported to engage in ways that feel safe and regulating for them.

The Autism Christmas Scavenger Hunt is available as a free printable to support Autistic children, their families, and the professionals who work alongside them. It is intended as a supportive seasonal tool, not a task or expectation.