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New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt clues: a scavenger hunt is the easiest way to keep a party going in the long hours before midnight, especially with kids. Below are 18 riddle clues that lead to spots in a house, each with its answer, plus a 15-item find list for a faster hunt and tips for timing the hunt so it ends right before the countdown. Hide each next clue at the answer spot, and save a prize for the final one.
For the countdown after the hunt: Herd Mentality
Once the hunt ends, Herd Mentality keeps a big group playing until midnight. Everyone answers the same question, and you score by matching the most popular answer. It costs about $25.
Price band: $20–$30 (about $25) · Check today’s price on Amazon
How to set up a New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt
- Choose 8 to 12 clues from the list below that match spots in your home. Skip any that do not fit.
- Write or print each clue on its own card. Number them so you know the order.
- Hand out clue 1. Hide clue 2 at the answer to clue 1, clue 3 at the answer to clue 2 and so on.
- Put the prize at the answer to the last clue. Party poppers, noisemakers or a midnight treat all work.
- For a group, make two sets of clues in a different order so the teams do not follow each other around.
New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt riddle clues with answers
| # | Clue | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Where cold drinks wait for the midnight toast. | The fridge |
| 2 | I have a face and two hands, and tonight everyone watches me. | A clock |
| 3 | Flip to the last page of me, then get a brand-new one. | The calendar |
| 4 | I pop, I fizz, I sit in a bucket of ice. | The ice bucket or cooler |
| 5 | Where last year’s photos live in frames. | A picture frame or photo wall |
| 6 | Sparkly outfits hang in here until the party. | A closet |
| 7 | You pour the bubbly into me. | The cupboard with glasses |
| 8 | Where the confetti will end up by morning. | Under the couch cushions |
| 9 | I keep the party snacks crunchy and fresh. | The pantry |
| 10 | Turn me on to watch the countdown. | The TV or remote |
| 11 | You wash your face here before you get glammed up. | The bathroom sink |
| 12 | Where the coats pile up when guests arrive. | The coat rack or guest bed |
| 13 | I light up the room when the countdown ends. | A lamp or light switch |
| 14 | Where you will sleep in on January 1. | Your bed |
| 15 | I make breakfast hot on New Year’s morning. | The toaster or coffee maker |
| 16 | I keep your feet warm while you wait for midnight. | A slipper basket or sock drawer |
| 17 | You write your resolutions in me. | A notebook or journal |
| 18 | Bubbles and a rubber duck live here. | The bathtub |
Clue 1 is a good opener, since the fridge is easy for kids to find. Save the bed clue or the calendar clue for the end, since they work well as a final spot for the prize.
New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt find list
For a faster version, skip the riddles and hand each team this list. The first team to find everything, or the team with the most items when the timer goes off, wins.
- Something gold or sparkly
- A party hat
- Something with this year’s date on it
- Something that makes noise
- A balloon
- A calendar
- Something that ticks
- A candle
- Something that pops
- A photo from this year
- Something round like the ball in Times Square
- A pair of sunglasses for a midnight selfie
- Something you would put on a resolutions list
- A piece of confetti
- Something blue for a fresh start
Timing the hunt for midnight
- For younger kids: run the hunt early in the evening, then do a pretend countdown at an earlier hour before bed.
- For older kids and adults: start the hunt about 45 minutes before midnight, so the last clue is found just as the countdown starts.
- For a big group: use the find list with a 20-minute timer, then move straight into a game or the countdown.
Ways to change the hunt
- Photo hunt: teams take a photo of each item instead of carrying it back.
- Outdoor version: for a mild evening, hide clues on the porch, in the mailbox or by the garage door.
- Glow hunt: turn off the lights and give each team a flashlight or glow stick.
- Resolution hunt: each clue card includes a resolution prompt, like ‘Something I want to learn this year’, and players answer before moving on.
Want more party ideas? See our best New Year’s Eve party games, our New Year’s Eve charades ideas and our Christmas scavenger hunt clues. For a no-prep game after the hunt, try Just One, a cooperative word game for 3 to 7 players that costs about $25, or Poetry for Neanderthals, which costs about $20.
New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt FAQ
How many clues do you need for a New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt?
Eight to twelve clues fill about 20 to 30 minutes for most groups. Use fewer for young kids.
What is a good prize for a New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt?
Noisemakers, party poppers, glow sticks or a small treat to open at midnight all work well.
Can adults do a New Year’s Eve scavenger hunt?
Yes. Use the riddle clues in a random order, add a timer and make it a team race.
How do you run a scavenger hunt for different ages?
Pair younger kids with older ones, or give younger kids the find list while older players follow the riddles.
