UPDATED FOR 2025
Here’s a fun activity to welcome students back after the winter holiday break. I think our students can always use more geography, so like Oh the Places You May Go and The Grinch Who Stole the Christmas Star, this virtual scavenger hunt will take your students around the world via Google Earth to gather clues. The goal is to use the clues to solve a final puzzle that reveals the location of a treasure “hidden in the snow.” Along the way, there will be snow tubing, ice sailing, the Northern Lights, and more.
The treasure, one for each student, is a small treat placed In a baggy and hidden in a handful of mini marshmallows (the “snow). The hidden prize could be coupon (free-choice game or puzzle time), a small puzzle or toy, or edible treat. Free-choice reading time could be nice, too, especially if you provide hot chocolate to go with the marshmallows! Of course, a real treasure isn’t necessary at all, but something small adds to the fun.
All students need is a device connected to the internet and these student pages. The presentation utilizes the web version of Google Earth, and pictures and diagrams explain all that students need to know about using the navigation tools and format, so they need no prior experience with Google Earth.
You can preview the slides HERE. Make your own copy to share with students HERE. The complete TEACHER GUIDE with ANSWERS have been shared with subscribers. If you are not a subscriber, you may request them HERE.
If your students enjoy this activity, let me know in the comments below! If you are new to the site, this 5-minute video tour is the quickest way to find your way around!
Happy New Year!
My 3rd and 4th graders LOVED you lesson, dashing through the snow! For some of my 3rd graders it was the first time using Google Earth so the novelty plus the challening questions really peak interest. Thank you for sharing your amazing resources. Every activity I’ve tried from bigideas4littlescholars.com has been a hit with my Gifted students.
I’m so happy your students enjoyed this, Ann. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I truly appreciate your encouraging words.
Hi Donna
Did you create any additional Virtual Scavenger Hunts using Google Earth? If so, please let me know where to find them. Are any on TPT? I’d be happy to pay for this type of engaging activity for my students. Thanks.
Ann
Ann, there are two others that are similar. The first one I created is called “The Grinch Who Stole the Christmas Star” and the other is an end-of-the-year option called “Oh, The Places You May Go!” You can find them on the HOLIDAY/ SEASONAL page (December and March). Glad your students found it engaging!
I can’t thank you enough for sharing your brillant lesson ideas for gifted students. We did The Grinch Who Stole the Christmas Star last week. There was only one thing thing we could not find. I will let you know what that was later but I plan to do this one next in January. The students had never worked with Google Earth at all. The only experience they had was just looking for places they knew. They loved the hunt. Can not wait to do another one. I teach 5th and 6th graders.
Glenda, thank you so much for the kind words and positive feedback. I’m so glad you and your students enjoyed the GRINCH holiday heist. This one is in slide deck form but similar in that you are hunting for things in videos and on Google Earth. I love that students are learning a little geography and culture through these hunts. Under EXTRAS, you can find a tab labeled VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNTS. These will always be free of charage! Again- thanks for your comments!