Game Concept: Optional challenge for gamer/puzzle enthusiast guests. 8 puzzles hidden throughout venue that require problem-solving skills. Guests complete quest card and return to Quest Master (you!) for verification and prize. Estimated completion time: 20-30 minutes. Self-guided, zero staff required during gameplay.
📋 Game Flow
During Dinner:
- Game Master introduces rooms and games to all guests
- Mentions "Santa's Side Quests" as optional challenge for adventurers
- Quest cards available at Game Master table
- Guests interested in puzzle-solving pick up a quest card
During Event:
- Guests explore venue, visiting each quest location
- Find puzzle signage/materials in each room
- Solve puzzle, write answer on quest card
- No staff assistance needed - self-guided
Completion:
- Guest returns completed quest card to Game Master
- Game Master verifies answers against this guide (takes 1-2 minutes)
- All 8 correct = award prize
- If some wrong, can give hints or let them retry
🎯 All 8 Quests - Puzzles & Answers
Quest 1: The Inventor's Calculation
Location: Inventor's Workshop
What's Posted: Math puzzle on poster/sign
PUZZLE:
"The inventor's bottles are scattered about.
Count them all, then multiply by
the gears on her desk.
What is your answer?"
Answer: (BOTTLES × 3 = TBD)
Note: Count bottles in room before event. There are 3 gears on the desk.
Quest 2: Decipher the Tracking Code
Location: The Peppermint Powerplant
What's Posted: Symbol math puzzle on tracking console/wall
TRACKING CODE:
🎄 = 3
⭐ = 7
🎁 = 5
🔔 = 2
SOLVE: 🎄 + ⭐ - 🎁 + 🔔 = ?
Answer: 7
Math: 3 + 7 - 5 + 2 = 7
Accept: "7", "Seven"
Quest 3: Translate the Elvish Script
Location: Celestial Hall
What's Posted: Message written in symbol cipher + cipher key nearby
CIPHER KEY: Each letter = unique symbol
(A=◈, B=◇, C=◆, D=◊, E=★, F=☆, G=✦, H=✧, I=◉, J=◎, K=●, L=○, M=▲, N=△, O=◐, P=◑, Q=◒, R=◓, S=■, T=□, U=▼, V=▽, W=♦, X=♢, Y=✶, Z=✷)
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE: ◆◐◐●◉★■ ◈◓★ ○◉☆★
Answer: COOKIES ARE LIFE
Accept: "Cookies Are Life", "COOKIES ARE LIFE"
Quest 4: Crack the Postal Cipher
Location: Inventor's Workshop
What's Posted: Encrypted message on chalkboard or postal notice
CIPHER: Caesar Cipher (shift back 1 letter)
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE: TBOUB
Answer: SANTA
How to Solve: Shift each letter back by 1 (T→S, B→A, O→N, U→T, B→A)
Accept: "Santa", "SANTA"
Quest 5: Chart the Christmas Star
Location: The Old Map Room
What's Posted: Large star chart with grid overlay (A-H horizontal, 1-8 vertical)
INSTRUCTIONS ON QUEST CARD:
"Using the star chart, follow these coordinates:
Start at ORION (located at C4)
Move 2 spaces NORTH, then 3 spaces EAST
What constellation do you land on?"
Answer: URSA MINOR (or whichever constellation is at position F6)
Math: C4 → move 2 north = C6 → move 3 east = F6
Accept: "Ursa Minor", "Little Dipper", "Polaris" (if star chart shows Polaris at that location)
NOTE: You must design actual star chart poster with grid and place constellations accordingly. This answer depends on your chart design.
Quest 6: The Inspector's Secret
Location: The Elves' Pantry
What's Hidden: 3 small snowflake symbols placed around the room
CLUE ON QUEST CARD OR SIGN:
"Find the hidden snowflake symbol. It appears exactly 3 times in the Great Hall.
What COLOR is the third snowflake?"
Answer: (DEPENDS ON YOUR PLACEMENT)
Example Setup: Place 3 snowflake stickers/decorations - 1st = red, 2nd = gold, 3rd = SILVER
Accept: Whatever color you choose for the 3rd snowflake
IMPORTANT: Actually place 3 snowflake symbols in the Great Hall before the event. Document which color is 3rd.
Quest 7: The Ornament Pattern
Location: Celestial Hall (Christmas tree)
What's Set Up: One row of ornaments on tree follows specific color pattern
CLUE ON QUEST CARD OR SIGN:
"Look at ROW 3 of the Christmas tree. The ornaments follow a pattern:
RED, GOLD, SILVER, RED, GOLD, _____
What color comes NEXT?"
Answer: SILVER
Pattern: Repeating sequence of Red → Gold → Silver
Accept: "Silver"
IMPORTANT: Actually hang ornaments on tree Row 3 in this exact pattern. Or choose different pattern and update this guide.
Quest 8: The Christmas Calculation
Location: The Elf Toy Co.
What's Posted: Math challenge sign that references actual room decorations
CHALLENGE:
"Count the WREATHS in the Great Hall.
Multiply by the number of CANDLES on Table 2.
Divide by 2.
What's your answer?"
Answer: (DEPENDS ON YOUR ACTUAL SETUP)
Example Math: 4 wreaths × 6 candles ÷ 2 = 12
Accept: Whatever the correct calculated number is based on your actual decoration count
IMPORTANT: Count actual wreaths and candles after setup. Update this guide with correct answer. Or change the challenge to reference different countable items.
📦 Materials & Setup Needed
| Quest # |
Location |
Materials to Create |
Setup Notes |
| 1 |
Inventor's Workshop |
Math puzzle poster/sign |
Print puzzle on 11×17" poster. Count bottles in room and update answer before event. |
| 2 |
Peppermint Powerplant |
Symbol math puzzle sign |
Print puzzle with emoji symbols. Mount near tracking displays. |
| 3 |
Celestial Hall |
Elvish cipher poster + encrypted message |
Design custom symbols that look runic. Print cipher key + message on separate posters nearby. |
| 4 |
Inventor's Workshop |
Caesar cipher message on chalkboard |
Write "TBOUB" on chalkboard or sign. Can add hint: "Shift back 1 letter" |
| 5 |
Old Map Room |
Star chart poster with grid (A-H, 1-8) |
Large format print (24×36" or bigger). Show major constellations with grid overlay. Place Orion at C4. |
| 6 |
Elves' Pantry |
3 hidden snowflake symbols |
Place small snowflake stickers/decorations around room. Document colors/locations. |
| 7 |
Celestial Hall |
Patterned ornament row on tree |
Hang Row 3 ornaments: Red, Gold, Silver, Red, Gold, Silver pattern. |
| 8 |
Elf Toy Co. |
Math challenge sign |
Print challenge referencing actual decoration counts. Update answer after setup complete. |
✅ Pre-Event Checklist
- ☐ Print quest cards (50-100 copies)
- ☐ Create and mount all 8 puzzle signs/posters
- ☐ Place hidden snowflake symbols (Quest 6)
- ☐ Arrange ornament pattern on tree (Quest 7)
- ☐ Design and print star chart with grid (Quest 5)
- ☐ Count actual decorations and update Quest 8 answer
- ☐ Verify Quest 5 answer matches star chart design
- ☐ Print and laminate this answer guide for Quest Master
- ☐ Prepare prizes for completion
- ☐ Test walkthrough - have someone complete all quests to verify everything works
💡 Quest Master Verification Tips
- Be flexible: Accept alternate phrasings of correct answers (e.g., "Little Dipper" vs "Ursa Minor")
- Spelling doesn't matter: "Keybord" = keyboard = correct
- Give hints if stuck: "Go back to [room] and look at [specific area]"
- Partial credit option: If they get 6-7 out of 8, you can award prize anyway (your call)
- Verification time: Should take 1-2 minutes to check all 8 answers
- Keep it fun: Celebrate completion! "Well done, adventurer! You've saved Christmas!"
IMPORTANT: Quests 5, 6, 7, and 8 require you to finalize answers based on your actual room setup and decoration placement. Walk through after venue setup and confirm all answers are correct before laminating this guide!
Santa's Side Quests - Operations Guide
Created: November 14, 2025 | For: Christmas Event 2025