Last year’s holiday lights walk was such a hit we knew we’d be continuing the tradition again this year. We added a twist by creating our own holiday neighborhood scavenger hunt. (To be truthful, The Big Explorer created most of the list himself.)
It isn’t often that we take a walk after the sun goes down, so both kids were pretty excited. They’d seen many of the decorations in our neighborhood during the day, but all lit up at night was something completely different.
Although much of the decorations in our neighborhood involve unnatural elements, we made sure to include natural items on our list, too. So while we were counting penguins and reindeer, we also kept an eye out for wreaths and poinsettias.
We discovered that the lights made a beautiful backdrop to many already special items, like roses and fall leaves.
Of course, all the Santas, candy canes, reindeer and sparkly lights were a huge hit, too.
You’ve got to appreciate the simplicity of the neighborhood walk. Ours involved just a few blocks and took us about 40 minutes. But The Explorers were completely enthralled.
Sometimes it’s the simplest activities that bring the most pleasure, so make time for them this season.
Take-Home Tips
- Dress the part. The key to a fun holiday nighttime scavenger hunt is keeping the kids warm. Bundle up with jackets, hats, gloves, warm socks and comfy shoes.
- Carry a flashlight. Since not every house has a lights’ display, some spots along your route may be dark. Bring along a flashlight or headlamp to keep your path visible.
- Give out awards. No trophies here, just honorable mention for things like your favorite display, best Santa or best use of natural objects.
Happy Exploring!
