Gingerbread Man Clue Hunt
A fun way to explore the school, meet important people, and make the first days of Pre-K feel a little more familiar.
After reading the traditional Gingerbread Man story, take the adventure beyond the classroom with a simple clue hunt through your school.
At each stop, children meet someone they may see throughout the year, learn where an important part of the school is located, and discover that the Gingerbread Man has dropped a few cookies from his bag along the way.
It’s part scavenger hunt, part school tour, and a very easy way to turn “Where am I and who are all these people?” into an adventure.
Why We Do It
The beginning of the school year brings a lot of new faces, new places, and new routines.
This activity gives children a playful reason to explore the building while meeting some of the adults who help them during the school day. It can help children become familiar with places such as the office, cafeteria, nurse’s office, and guidance office before they actually need them.
And because the whole experience grows out of a familiar story, it feels much more like chasing the Gingerbread Man than taking a school tour.
What You’ll Need
The Gingerbread Man clue pages
A copy of the traditional Gingerbread Man story
Gingerbread cookies or another small gingerbread snack
A few willing staff members
A planned route through your school
The printable includes clues leading to the cafeteria, guidance office, nurse, principal, secretary, and a final destination. Several clues include male and female versions so you can choose the one that fits your school staff.
Before the Hunt
Decide on the order you want your class to visit each location.
Then give each staff member the clue that leads to the next stop, rather than the clue for their own location.
For example:
Teacher → Secretary → Cafeteria → Nurse → Guidance → Principal → Final Stop
So you would:
1. Keep the clue that leads to the secretary.
2. Give the cafeteria clue to the secretary.
3. Give the nurse clue to the cafeteria staff.
4. Give the guidance clue to the nurse.
5. Give the principal clue to guidance.
6. Give the final clue to the principal.
The printable’s final clue wraps up the chase after students have followed the Gingerbread Man through the building.
Add a Little Gingerbread Trail
Before the activity, leave a few gingerbread cookies or snacks at each stop.
When the children arrive, they discover that the Gingerbread Man has been there before them and has dropped a few treats from his bag.
That tiny detail does a remarkable amount of heavy lifting. Suddenly the secretary isn’t just someone behind a desk. She or he is now part of the hunt.
During the Hunt
At each location:
Read the clue → Find the location → Meet the staff member → Find the gingerbread treats → Receive the next clue
Give the staff member a moment to introduce themselves and briefly tell the children how they help at school.
There’s no need to turn it into a lesson at every stop. A quick hello and a friendly face are enough.
Make It Fit Your School
Your route doesn’t need to match ours.
Skip locations that aren’t useful, change the order, add another staff member, or finish somewhere special. The important part is giving children a chance to explore their school and meet the people they are most likely to encounter.
Ready to chase the Gingerbread Man through your school? Download the Free Gingerbread Man Clue Hunt
Enjoy,
Rick