St Patrick's Day Rainbow Scavenger Hunt Treasure Tradition
By the time early March rolls around, my kids are ready for something fresh, fun, and a little magical. Winter has dragged on, the pantry fruit jars have lost their charm, and everyone could use a reason to run around the house laughing.
That’s how our St. Patrick’s Day rainbow scavenger hunt became one of our favorite family traditions.
It started a number of years ago with a few simple riddles, some hidden clues, and a little “treasure” at the end. Now it’s something the kids look forward to every year. The clues follow the colors of the rainbow, starting with red and ending with a pot-of-gold style surprise.
And honestly, the best part isn’t even the candy. It’s seeing how excited they get when they figure out each clue.
The rainbow makes the whole hunt feel special
The idea is simple. Each clue is tied to a color of the rainbow:
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
You can add indigo if you want the full traditional rainbow, but I usually keep it simple for younger kids. The color order gives the hunt a natural path, and it makes the whole thing feel like they’re following a rainbow to the treasure.
The first clue might be tied to something red. For example, one starter clue might be:
An _____ a day keeps the doctor away.
That clue is out in the open and the next clue is hidden near the red apples. Once the kids find it, the riddle on that clue sends them to something orange. Maybe it leads to oranges in the fruit bowl, orange construction paper, carrots in the fridge, or even an orange towel in the bathroom.
From there, each clue leads to the next color.
It’s easy to adjust based on what you already have around the house. That’s one reason I love this so much. You don’t need fancy decorations or a big budget. You just need a little time, a few hiding spots, and something fun waiting at the end.
How I set up the scavenger hunt
I usually start by deciding where the ST Patrick's Day treasure will be hidden. That’s the grand finale, so I like to choose a spot that feels a little tucked away.
A small trunk, basket, shoebox, or reusable gift bag works perfectly for the treasure. I’ve used all kinds of containers over the years. The kids don’t care if it’s fancy. They care that it feels like they found something special.
Once I pick the final spot, I work backward.
That sounds more complicated than it is. I choose the treasure spot first, then write the clue that leads to it. Then I choose the spot before that, and write the clue leading to the next color. Working backward helps me avoid accidentally sending everyone in circles.
Here’s a simple version:
Rainbow color | Hiding spot idea | Clue idea |
Red | Apples | 1 a day keeps the doctor away. |
Orange | Oranges | I’m bright, round, and juicy sweet. Find me where the snacks all meet. |
Yellow | Bananas | Monkeys love me, and I come in a bunch. |
Green | Spinach, grapes, or a plant | Look for the color of shamrocks and leaves. |
Blue | Blue blanket or cup | I’m the color of the sky on a sunny day. |
Purple | Grapes | Small and sweet, I grow in a bunch. |
Treasure | Hidden trunk or basket in the garage | In the place where the cars sleep. |
The clues don’t have to rhyme, but my kids always seem to love it when they do. Even silly rhymes get big reactions, especially if they’re just tricky enough to make them think for a minute.
As they have gotten older i have gotten more complicated in my clues, often giving them riddles they have to figure out.
The treasure is a mix of candy and fresh fruit
At the end of the hunt, I usually hide a small trunk filled with gold colored candy and fresh fruit. I like to include one fruit for each color of the rainbow.
It might look something like this:
Red
Strawberries, apples, or watermelon
Orange
Clementines, orange slices, or mango
Yellow
Bananas, pineapple, or star fruit
Green
Green grapes, kiwi, or cucumbers
Blue
Blueberries or blackberries
Purple
Purple grapes, or plums
The candy makes it feel like a holiday treasure, but the fruit honestly gets just as much excitement in our house. Maybe more.
After a long winter, fresh fruit feels like such a treat. By March, everyone is tired of canned fruit and heavy snacks. A bright little rainbow of fresh fruit feels cheerful and springy, even if it’s still cold outside.
I think that’s why this tradition has stuck. It’s fun, but it also marks that little shift toward spring.
Tips that make the hunt easier
A St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt doesn’t need to be perfect. Actually, it’s better when it feels homemade. Still, a few small tricks make the day go smoother.
Write the clues before you hide anything.
It’s way too easy to forget where one clue is supposed to go if you start hiding first.
Number the clues lightly on the back.
This is mostly for you. If something gets mixed up, you’ll know the order.
Match the difficulty to the kids.
For little kids, keep the clues very direct. For older kids, make the riddles a little more playful.
Use places they can safely reach.
Avoid high shelves, breakable areas, or places where everything will get dumped out in the excitement.
Keep the treasure simple.
A few small treats are enough. The hunt is the main event.
If you have multiple kids, you can let them work as a team. That keeps the mood fun and avoids a race where one child grabs every clue first. In our house, the shared search is part of the charm.
Why this St Patrick's Day tradition means so much
There’s something sweet about a tradition that starts small and becomes part of the family rhythm.
The first year, it was just a fun little St. Patrick’s Day activity. Now the kids know it’s coming. They start asking about it before March even arrives. They remember clues from past years. They talk about where the treasure might be hidden this time.
That’s the magic of it.
It’s not expensive. It’s not complicated. It doesn’t require a perfectly decorated house or a full afternoon of planning. It’s just a trail of colorful clues, a few riddles, and a treasure waiting at the end.
But to the kids, it feels like an adventure.
And to me, it feels like one of those simple traditions we’ll always treasure.
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