25 No-Mess Shepherd on the Search Ideas

One of our absolute favorite Christmas activities is the Shepherd on the Search. I wrote a review a few years ago, and our Shepherd has been with us every Christmas since then! I decided to put together 25 no-mess Shepherd on the Search ideas that are fairly easy to pull off with items around the house. I’m all about making things easier for parents, so that’s what this post is about. My kids adore our Shepherd and love finding him every morning in December!

The Shepherd on the Search Ideas

Hello with a paper chain countdown- Have your shepherd greet your family with a paper chain countdown to Christmas!

Sleigh Ride with Friends – What’s more fun than a sleigh ride. Use a decorative sleigh or sled for your shepherd to ride!

Zip Line with Friends – Create a zip line for your shepherd and friends to cross the kitchen cabinets!

Shepherd and the Snowman – If you have a decorative snowman, set up your Shepherd next to him. You can even give him a couple of cotton balls for a snowball fight!

Top of Cabinet Peek-A-Boo – Our shepherd has traveled around the top of our kitchen cabinets.

Chandelier Climbing – Use your chandelier as a mountain for your shepherd to climb.

Reindeer Riding – Decorative reindeer make great companions for a Shepherd on the Search!

Christmas Tree Hide and Seek – Hide your shepherd in the Christmas tree and see if your kids can find him!

Advent Wreath Ring Around the Rosie – Set up your Shepherd and his friends in a circle around your Advent wreath!

Stocking Jack in the Box – Your Shepherd can peek out of a stocking!

Shepherd Bible Study – Open up your Bible to the Christmas story in the book of Luke and set up your Shepherd to read it!

Hot Chocolate Set-Up – Put your Shepherd in a Christmas mug next to a tin of hot chocolate. You can share some with the kids later in the day!

Shepherd Hanging Out with Mary – Do you have a Mary doll? The Shepherd can hang out with her for a bit before she has the baby Jesus!

Shepherd and the Elf – Use a toy elf or nutcracker so the Shepherd can make a new friend.

 Shepherd Sack Race – Use small paper bags for the Shepherd and his friends to participate in a sack race!

Shepherd Coffee Drinking – Set up your Shepherd next to the coffee maker with a nice cup of Joe and a straw!

Shepherd Christmas Card Writing – Give your Shepherd a pen and let him fill in some Christmas cards.

Shepherd Walking Dogs – Do you kids have little toy dogs? Use pipecleaners as a leash so your Shepherd can take them on a walk?

Shepherd Reading Stories – Set up your Shepherd with a Christmas book to read to his friends.

Shepherd and Noah’s Ark – If you have a toy Noah’s ark, put your Shepherd on it with the animals.

Shepherd and Cinderella – The Shepherd loves to hang out with Disney characters.

O Christmas Tree – If you have a small Christmas tree, set up the Shepherd and his friends around it so they can sing carols.

Shepherd and Snacks – We like to use Christmas M&Ms. Have the Shepherd bring some for your family!

Snow Angel Shepherd – This one is slightly messy, but not too bad. Put some mini-marshmallows down on the counter, lay your Shepherd in the marshmallows and make a snow angel!

Shepherd at the Nativity – Finally, your Shepherd should be back at the Nativity scene admiring the baby Jesus!

Shepherd on the Search Activities

Inspire your kids with the Shepherd on the Search Advent devotional. We are planning to use this one next year. It looks awesome!   

If your kids like board games, you have to try The Shepherd’s Search cooperative game!

If your kids enjoy activity pages and stickers, The Shepherd on the Search Activity Book would make a great accompaniment to your Advent adventure!

And don’t forget to get your Shepherd on the Search Advent set if you haven’t already!