Christmas parties are a highlight for children during the holiday season. They bring excitement, laughter, and a lot of energy. But let’s be real—keeping that energy focused and fun can be a bit of a challenge. That’s where some well-planned, festive games come in handy.
Imagine the joy and laughter as kids dive into these playful games, all designed to keep them engaged, active, and smiling throughout your holiday gathering. These games don’t require complex setups or expensive materials, just some Christmas spirit and a little creativity!
Whether you’re planning a classroom party, a family get-together, or just looking for some ways to keep the little ones entertained, this list of 29 fun Christmas games is here to help you out. Let’s make your Christmas party one to remember!
1. Christmas Bingo
What’s more classic than a festive game of Bingo? Christmas Bingo is simple, fun, and perfect for all ages. Create or print off Bingo cards with Christmas-themed pictures like Santa, reindeer, Christmas trees, and snowflakes.
Kids can mark off the pictures as you call them out, and the first to complete a line wins! Not only does it keep kids entertained, but it’s also easy to set up and play with a large group.
2. Snowman Bowling
For this game, all you need are some empty cans or plastic bottles and a small ball. Decorate the cans to look like snowmen, stacking them up to create a mini bowling alley.
Let the kids take turns rolling the ball to knock down the snowmen! This game brings out everyone’s competitive side and gives kids a chance to practice their coordination.
3. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Think of this as the Christmas version of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Draw or print a large picture of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but leave off the nose.
Blindfold each player and give them a red nose (a sticker or a small cutout works perfectly). The goal is to stick the nose as close to the right spot as possible. This one guarantees lots of giggles!
4. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Hide holiday-themed items around the house or yard, and create a list for the kids to find. Items like mini candy canes, ornaments, and tiny Santa figurines work perfectly.
Kids can work individually or in teams, racing to find everything on the list. This game promotes teamwork, exploration, and adds an element of mystery to the party.
5. Santa Says
A Christmas twist on the classic game “Simon Says,” this one is sure to get the kids moving! One person plays “Santa” and gives instructions like “Santa says clap your hands” or “Santa says hop like a reindeer.”
If “Santa” doesn’t say “Santa says” first, anyone who follows the command is out! This game is fun, active, and a great way to burn off some holiday sugar energy.
6. Candy Cane Hunt
Grab a bunch of candy canes and hide them around the party area. Kids will have a blast hunting for these sweet treats, and you can make it competitive by seeing who can find the most.
Candy Cane Hunt works best in larger spaces, and you can even offer small prizes for the top three candy cane collectors.
7. Ornament Spoon Relay
Divide the kids into teams and give each team a spoon and a holiday ornament. The goal is for each player to carry the ornament on the spoon across the room without dropping it, passing it to the next player in line.
If the ornament drops, they must start over! This game teaches balance, teamwork, and is sure to result in lots of laughter.
8. Christmas Charades
This Christmas-themed charades game is a hit for all ages. Write down holiday-related actions or characters like “wrapping gifts,” “sledding,” or “being a reindeer” on slips of paper.
Kids take turns acting them out while others guess. It’s a fantastic way to encourage creativity and brings plenty of laughter to the party.
9. Wrap the Gift Race
Set up a wrapping station with boxes wrapping paper, scissors, and tape. Each child gets a box to wrap as quickly as possible.
It’s not about neatness; it’s about speed! The winner is the first one to wrap their gift (as messy as it may be). This game is perfect for developing fine motor skills and creating a bit of friendly competition.
10. Christmas Freeze Dance
Play some upbeat Christmas music and let the kids dance around. When the music stops, they have to freeze in place. Anyone caught moving is out!
Keep going until there’s only one child left dancing. This game is easy, energetic, and great for all ages.
11. Snowball Toss
Gather some cotton balls or small white balls that resemble snowballs, along with a few buckets or baskets. Set up a few different distances for added challenge, and have kids try to toss the “snowballs” into the buckets.
Kids love the simplicity of this game, and you can even set up a point system based on which bucket they land the snowballs in.
12. Reindeer Ring Toss
Create a “reindeer” by placing antlers on a headband (you can find these in most stores during Christmas). Then, give the kids rings (small hoops or rings made from pipe cleaners work well) to toss onto the antlers.
This game adds a fun twist to ring toss and can be played indoors or outdoors, making it super versatile.
13. Christmas Pictionary
Who doesn’t love a quick round of Pictionary? For Christmas Pictionary, write down holiday-themed items on slips of paper for kids to draw.
Divide the kids into teams and let the drawing and guessing begin! This game encourages creativity and helps build teamwork.
14. Santa Hat Stack
Using Santa hats or holiday-themed cups, challenge the kids to stack as many as they can without toppling over.
This game is a mix of balance and patience, making it perfect for some quiet concentration amid the party chaos.
15. Elf on the Shelf Hide-and-Seek
Hide a small “Elf on the Shelf” doll around the party area and let kids take turns finding it.
This game adds a bit of mystery and excitement as kids search for the elusive elf in unexpected places.
16. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Set up a decorating station with graham crackers, icing, and candies. Let the kids get creative by building and decorating their own gingerbread houses.
Each child can show off their house, and you can even have a little award ceremony for the most creative design!
17. Christmas Sock Guessing Game
Fill a large Christmas stocking with random holiday items like ornaments, candy canes, or small toys. Without looking, each child reaches inside to feel and guess what’s inside.
This game gets the kids thinking and adds a bit of mystery to the party.
18. Hot Chocolate Relay Race
Set up two tables with cups, whipped cream, and marshmallows. Kids have to transport “hot chocolate” (cups filled with water or cotton balls) from one table to the other without spilling.
The first team to finish their hot chocolate wins, making this a great game for practicing balance and speed.
19. Christmas Coloring Contest
Set up a table with coloring sheets and markers. Let the kids color their favorite holiday scenes and display them for everyone to see.
It’s a simple, calming activity that can give everyone a quick break from the high-energy games
20. Christmas Cookie Decorating
If you want a deliciously fun game, set up a cookie decorating station. Provide plain cookies, icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations.
Let the kids go wild with their creations, and then enjoy their masterpieces as a sweet treat after.
21. Santa’s Beard Blow
For this silly game, each child gets a cotton ball (Santa’s “beard”) and has to blow it across the table to the finish line.
This game is simple, fun, and guarantees lots of laughter as kids compete to be the first to blow Santa’s beard to the finish.
22. Rudolph Races
Set up a relay race course and give each child a red pom-pom for a “Rudolph nose.” Kids have to run while keeping the pom-pom balanced on their nose.
It’s a funny sight and adds a challenge as kids try to race without dropping their Rudolph nose.
23. Christmas Movie Trivia
Prepare a list of questions about popular Christmas movies. Divide the kids into teams and ask them questions like “What’s the Grinch’s favorite color?” or “What’s the name of Santa’s reindeer with a red nose?”
This game brings a little learning and holiday movie magic into the party.
24. Christmas Karaoke
Set up a mini karaoke station with Christmas carols and let the kids take turns singing their favorite holiday tunes.
It’s entertaining for everyone, and you might even find a future Christmas star among the singers.
25. Pass the Present
Wrap a small gift in several layers of wrapping paper. As music plays, the kids pass the present around in a circle.
When the music stops, the child holding the present gets to unwrap a layer. The game continues until the last layer is unwrapped, revealing the gift inside.
26. Snowball Relay
Give each team a plastic spoon and a “snowball” (cotton ball or small ball). Kids have to transport their snowball from one point to another without dropping it.
It’s a fun, challenging race that requires focus and coordination.
27. Christmas Word Scramble
Prepare a list of scrambled holiday words (like
“ntSaa” for Santa). Give each child a worksheet and see who can unscramble the most words in a set time.
This game combines fun with a bit of learning, making it great for both parties and classrooms.
28. Present Stacking Challenge
Using empty gift boxes, challenge the kids to stack as many presents as they can without the tower falling over.
This game is perfect for practicing patience and steady hands, plus it adds a little festive competition to the party.
29. Christmas Memory Game
Set up a tray with several Christmas-themed items (like a candy cane, an ornament, and a small bell). Let the kids study it for a minute, then cover it up.
Afterward, they have to list or draw what they remember. It’s a great game for building memory skills and adding a little holiday twist!
Wrapping Up the Festivities
With these 29 Christmas party games, your holiday gathering is sure to be a hit! These games will fill the room with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re planning a party for preschoolers, grade school kids, or a mixed group, these activities are sure to bring everyone together in the spirit of the season. So get ready to make memories, spread cheer, and celebrate Christmas with these delightful games that everyone will enjoy!