20+ Christmas Games For Kids Of All Ages To Play At Home And In School

Do you plan to attend a holiday party? Since our annual co-op party is soon, I need to plan a few Christmas activities for youngsters. There are Christmas games for kids that will get them moving, activities that will improve their fine motor skills and coordination, wonderfully original concepts, as well as traditional Christmas party games! Here, you’re sure to discover the ideal party game for your Christmas celebration. There are countless ways to keep the kids interested at the co-op party at home or school, whether you want to plan a colorful scavenger hunt or a thrilling relay race.

Besides, you can combine these games with some interesting Christmas worksheets for more interesting holiday activities!

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• 70 Interesting Christmas Trivia Questions And Answers
• 30+ Christmas Activities for Kids to Spark Holiday Fun

Keeping Kids Entertained with Christmas Games

Planning a Christmas party for kids? While parties are generally exciting, it’s important to remember that all the festivities can sometimes be overwhelming for little ones. To ensure everyone has a fun and enjoyable time, why not organize some engaging Christmas games?

Christmas games provide a structured and interactive way for kids to participate in the celebration. They offer opportunities for laughter, friendly competition, and creating lasting memories. From classic party games with a festive twist to creative activities that spark imagination, there are plenty of options to keep kids entertained and engaged throughout the holiday gathering.

Why Host Christmas Games for Children?

Let’s be quite clear about my point: these recommendations are made to put youngsters at ease, encourage play, and assist them in adjusting to a Christmas party.

These are not intended to be stressful, to stress over looking ideal for Pinterest, or to take hours of party planning.

In addition to suggesting that instructors put up classroom activities if they are out of ideas for classroom games, I picked pursuits that my family finds enjoyable and/or that I know only require a brief amount of preparatory time (with a high kid-fun payout). However, the common goal of all of them is to assist kids in having a fun holiday celebration. Nothing kills the holiday spirit more than bored kids clinging to their instructors and parents. 

Christmas Games For Kids At Home

Stack The Gifts

“Stack the Gifts” is a simple and fun Christmas game for kids. All you need are wrapped presents of different sizes. Kids can play in teams or pairs, competing to see who can stack the most gifts before they topple over. For an added challenge, set a timer or require gifts to be stacked in a specific order (largest to smallest, by color, etc.).

Stocking Guessing Game

This game is fun for kids and adults of all ages and can be made at home with ordinary Christmas goods.

1. Stuff some seasonal goodies into a plush Christmas stocking. Make sure the stocking is “squishy” so that guests can feel the things from the outside, preferably made of knit or felt.
2. Make use of ornaments like holly, a little square of wrapping paper, a candy cane, a glass ball ornament, a pine cone, a candle, a jingle bell, and so on.
3. Determine how many items you have.
4. To prevent peeking, tie the stocking closed at the top!
5. Hand out pieces of paper to each person as you pass the stocking around the room during the celebration.
6. Inform your visitors of the number of items in the stocking and ask them to record all of their educated estimations in writing.
7. Request that they hand their paper to the one to their left.
8. Take each item out, one at a time.
9. After you’re done, ask visitors to call out any amusing responses they hear.
10. The winner is the guest who answered most correctly!

Some tips to hold a successful game:

1. If you don’t have any knit or felt Christmas stockings, you can substitute thick thermal socks.
2. Run a trial first. Put the items in the stocking and check to see if you can largely predict what they are feeling.
3. Prepare a few little gifts for the winner!

Pin the Snowman’s Nose

Do you like to build a snowman? Although it is not one of mine, building snowmen is one of my kids’ favorite winter hobbies. I’d much rather keep warm inside than be outside with chilly hands! That is why I love to pin the nose on the snowman so much! When it’s too cold to go outside, kids of all ages can engage in this game together. It’s quite simple to create and a lot of fun. This is a clear winner on all counts!

Candy Cane Hunt

Get ready for a sweet adventure with a Candy Cane Hunt! Hide candy canes, wrapped Christmas candies, or even small toys around the house or yard for kids to discover. Before the hunt begins, let them decorate brown paper bags with markers and stickers to hold their treasures.

To make the hunt even more exciting, set a timer and challenge kids to find as many treats as possible within the time limit. You can also add an element of mystery by providing clues or riddles that lead them to the hidden goodies. This activity combines the thrill of a scavenger hunt with the sweetness of holiday treats, making it a surefire hit with kids of all ages.

Snow Blower Game

Ringing Bells Memory Game

Put a festive spin on the classic memory game with a “Ringing Bells Memory Game” using Hershey’s Kisses! Simply attach numbered stickers to the bottom of the candies, creating matching pairs. Kids take turns flipping over two candies at a time, trying to remember their locations and find the matching numbers.

Adjust the difficulty by increasing the number of candies for older children or adding a time limit to challenge their memory and concentration skills. This game combines the fun of a memory challenge with the sweetness of holiday treats, making it a delightful activity for kids of all ages.

Christmas Musical Chair Games

Musical chairs is a classic party game that can easily be transformed into a festive activity with a Christmas theme. For younger children, simply play the traditional version with upbeat Christmas music and brightly colored chairs.

To make it more challenging for older kids, incorporate Christmas trivia questions or holiday-themed tasks into the game. For example, when the music stops, players must answer a trivia question correctly or complete a task like naming a reindeer or singing a line from a carol to stay in the game. This adds an extra layer of fun and learning to the classic game.

Jingle Bell Tossing

For those whose college memories are a little foggy, for the traditional Jingle Bell Toss, aka Pong, you can use regular-sized Solo cups and large jingle bells. Place six to ten glasses at either end of the table in the shape of bowling pins. You take turns tossing bells in the direction of the cup formation on the other side of the table as one player stands at each end. Each turn, you are given two bells to toss, one at a time. As bells are placed in the cups on the other side, remove them. In each cup, the first player to receive a bell wins.

A couple of tips: When using bells, I do not suggest putting any liquid in the cups. However, the cups become less sturdy as a result. The cups can be weighted with additional bells or doubled up for increased stability. Unless you have a table, in which case you can just drop your cups in the slots as usual.

Santa Says

“Santa Says” is a fun and festive twist on the classic game “Simon Says.” Choose one person to be “Santa” (or Simon). Santa will give instructions to the other players, such as “Santa says touch your toes” or “Santa says hop on one foot.” Players must only follow the instructions that begin with “Santa says.”

This game is a great way to encourage active participation, listening skills, and following directions. To add more excitement, offer small prizes or treats to those who successfully follow all the commands. It’s a simple yet engaging activity that brings laughter and holiday cheer to any gathering.

Snowball Relay Race

This exciting relay race will have kids scrambling to move “snowballs” across the room! Divide the children into two teams and provide each team with a bucket of cotton balls and a plastic spoon. The first player from each team must use the spoon to transfer cotton balls from their full bucket to an empty bucket on the other side of the room.

Once they reach the empty bucket, they race back to their team and pass the spoon to the next player. Any dropped cotton balls must be left on the floor. The team with the most snowballs in their bucket at the end of the game wins! This activity promotes teamwork, coordination, and friendly competition, making it a perfect choice for holiday gatherings.

Christmas Games For Kids In School

Sticky Note: Hide and Seek

“Sticky Note Hide and Seek” is a fun and simple game that’s perfect for keeping kids of all ages entertained during the holidays. It’s like a festive scavenger hunt with a twist!

Here’s how to play:

1. Prepare the sticky notes: Before the party, draw some Christmas-themed pictures on sticky notes. Think Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, presents, or candy canes. Make a few copies of each picture.

2. Hide the sticky notes: Hide the sticky notes all around the house – under tables, behind curtains, on the backs of chairs, anywhere you can think of!

3. Let the hunt begin: Have the kids search for the hidden sticky notes. The fun part is that they can also hide sticky notes for each other to find!

4. Match the pictures: Once a child finds a sticky note, they can try to find the matching pictures. This adds an extra challenge and encourages them to work together.

This game is a great way to get kids moving, exploring, and having fun during the holidays. It’s also a simple activity that can be adapted for different ages and abilities. Younger children will enjoy the thrill of the hunt, while older kids can create more elaborate hiding spots and challenges.

Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe

Let’s play Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe! This classic game gets a festive makeover with a fun and easy twist. Instead of using Xs and Os, you’ll use decorated rocks to mark your spots.

Here’s how to play:

1. Gather your materials: You’ll need a Tic-Tac-Toe board (you can easily draw one on paper or use a pre-made board) and some smooth rocks.

2. Decorate the rocks: Let the kids decorate the rocks with Christmas-themed designs using paint, markers, or glitter. They can create festive patterns, draw Christmas characters, or even write holiday messages on their rocks.

3. Play the game: Just like regular Tic-Tac-Toe, two players take turns placing their decorated rocks on the board. The first player to get three of their rocks in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) wins!

This simple game is a great way to add a festive touch to a classic activity. It’s perfect for keeping kids entertained during holiday gatherings, and the decorated rocks can even be kept as festive keepsakes after the game is over.

“Santa Says”

“Santa Says” is just like the classic game “Simon Says,” but with a fun Christmas twist.

Here’s how to play:

1. Choose a leader: Pick one person to be “Santa.”

2. Listen for the magic words: Santa will give instructions to everyone else, but the players should only follow the instructions if Santa starts by saying “Santa Says.”

3. Do the actions: Santa can give all kinds of fun Christmas-themed instructions, like:

   • “Santa says pretend to be a reindeer!”
   • “Santa says sing ‘Jingle Bells’!”
   • “Santa says do your best ‘Ho, ho, ho!'”
   • “Santa says walk like an elf!”

4. Pay attention: If Santa gives an instruction without saying “Santa Says” first, and someone does the action, they’re out!

This game is a great way to get kids moving, laughing, and having fun during the holidays. It also helps them practice listening carefully and following directions. Plus, it’s a fun way to get everyone in the Christmas spirit!

Red Christmas Light, Green Christmas Light

“Red Christmas Light, Green Christmas Light” is a fun and festive twist on a classic game that kids love to play. It’s a great way to get them moving and having fun while also practicing important skills like listening and following directions.

Here’s how to play:

1. Choose a leader: Pick one person to be the “traffic light.”

2. Line up: Have everyone else line up about 10 feet away from the leader.

3. Listen for the signals: The leader will shout out different Christmas light colors:

   • “Green light!” means run towards the leader.
   • “Red light!” means stop immediately.
   • “Yellow light!” means walk slowly towards the leader.

4. Reach the leader: The first person to reach the leader wins!

Important Note: Make sure everyone understands the rules and is playing safely. This game is a great way to get kids active and engaged, while also adding a festive touch to a classic activity.

Reindeer Race

Let’s have a “Reindeer Race”! This exciting activity combines running with imaginative play, making it a fun and engaging way for kids to burn off some energy and celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Here’s how to play:

1. Gather the reindeer: Have the kids choose a reindeer to be. They can pick their favorite from Santa’s team: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course, Rudolph!

2. Line up at the starting line: Have all the “reindeer” line up at a designated starting line.

3. Race to the finish: When someone shouts “Go!” the reindeer race to the finish line.

4. Run like your reindeer: Encourage the kids to run like their chosen reindeer. For example, “Dancer” might dance their way to the finish line, while “Prancer” might prance and “Comet” might try to be super speedy!

This game is a fun way to get kids active and creative. It’s also a great way to learn about the different reindeer and their unique personalities. Plus, it’s sure to bring lots of laughter and holiday cheer!

Santa Makeover

Let’s give Santa a makeover! This fun and creative activity lets kids design their own unique Santa Claus beard and hat using simple materials. It’s a great way to spark imagination and get crafty during the holiday season.

Here’s how to create a Santa beard:

1. Gather your supplies: You’ll need white paper, cotton balls, and glue.

2. Design your beard: Have the kids use the cotton balls to create a Santa beard on the paper. They can make it long and flowing, short and stubby, or any style they like!

3. Stick it on! Once they’re happy with their beard design, help them glue it onto their face for a fun photo opportunity.

Here’s how to make a Santa hat:

1. Gather your supplies: You’ll need red construction paper, cotton balls, and glue.

2. Cut out a hat shape: Help the kids cut out a Santa hat shape from the red construction paper.

3. Make it fluffy: Have them glue cotton balls all over the hat to create a fluffy and festive look.

This activity encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and holiday spirit. Plus, it’s a fun way to capture some memorable moments with adorable Santa-fied kids!

Word Find

Word Find puzzles are a fun way to challenge your brain and learn new words, and Christmas-themed Word Finds are perfect for getting into the holiday spirit!

Here’s how to play:

1. Look at the word list: You’ll be given a list of Christmas-related words, like “reindeer,” “ornament,” “Santa,” and “snowflake.”

2. Find the words in the grid: The words are hidden in a grid of letters, going in all different directions – horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.

3. Circle the words: When you find a word, circle it. Sometimes the words might be hidden backwards, so keep an eye out!

4. Bonus challenge: Some Word Finds have a secret message hidden in the leftover letters. See if you can find it!

Word Finds are a great way to improve your spelling, vocabulary, and concentration skills. Plus, they’re a fun and festive activity for the holiday season.

Find Someone Who

“Find Someone Who” is a fun game that encourages kids to mingle and learn more about each other during the Christmas season.

Here’s how to play:

1. Create a list of Christmas-themed statements: These can be simple questions or prompts related to Christmas wishes, traditions, or experiences. For example:

   • “Would you like a white Christmas this year?”
   • “Do you know how to cook a traditional Christmas dinner?”
   • “Have you already bought all your Christmas presents?”
   • “Have you ever spent Christmas away from your family?”
   • “Do you have a unique family Christmas tradition?”

2. Make a grid: Create a simple grid or chart with the statements listed. Each child will need a copy.

3. Mingle and find a match: Have the children walk around and ask each other questions based on the statements. When they find someone who matches a statement, they write that person’s name in the corresponding box on their grid.

4. Share and discuss: Once everyone has had a chance to fill out their grid, gather the children together and have them share what they learned about each other.

This game is a great way to encourage communication, build relationships, and discover shared interests during the holiday season. It’s also a fun way to practice language skills and learn more about different Christmas traditions.

Christmas Songs

Christmas carols are a fun and festive way to learn! Here are some ideas for using Christmas songs in the classroom:

Before Listening:

• Introduce the song: Tell the students the name of the carol and maybe a little bit about its history.
• Listen without lyrics: Play the song without showing the words. Have students write down any words or phrases they hear, even if they don’t know what they mean.
• Teach new vocabulary: Show the lyrics and explain any new or challenging words.

Activities:

• Fill in the blanks: Create a worksheet where some words are missing from the lyrics. Play the song and have students fill in the blanks. You can choose to remove specific types of words, like nouns or adjectives, to focus on different parts of speech.
• Watch and discuss: If the song has a video clip or is from a movie, watch it together and discuss the story, characters, and setting.
• Summarize the message: Ask students to identify the main message or theme of the song. Have them share their ideas and compare different interpretations.

Sing Along!

• Line by line: Have students sit in a circle. Each student learns one line of the song. As the song plays, they sing their line when it’s their turn.
• Make it a challenge: To make it more difficult, have students who forget their line sit down. This adds a fun challenge and keeps everyone focused.

Using Christmas carols in these ways can make learning engaging and enjoyable, while also celebrating the spirit of the holiday season.

Jump To The Front

“Jump to the Front” is a fun and active game that gets kids moving and talking about their Christmas experiences.

Here’s how to play:

1. Line up: Have all the students line up at the back of the classroom.

2. Read statements: The teacher reads aloud a series of Christmas-themed statements, like:

   • “I love the winter holidays.”
   • “My family doesn’t exchange Christmas presents.”
   • “I enjoy cooking festive meals.”
   • “My culture doesn’t celebrate Christmas.”

3. Jump if it’s true: If a statement is true for a student, they jump forward. If not, they stay where they are.

4. Reach the front: The first student to reach the front of the classroom wins!

Important Note: Make sure to include a mix of statements that reflect different cultural backgrounds and traditions. This ensures that all students can participate and feel included, regardless of how they celebrate the holidays.

This game is a great way to encourage movement, spark conversation, and learn about different holiday experiences. It’s also a fun way to build classroom community and celebrate the diversity of traditions during the Christmas season.

Christmas Pictionary/Charades

Let’s play Christmas Pictionary and Charades! These classic games are a fun way to get creative and learn new vocabulary while celebrating the holiday season.

Here’s how to play:

1. Choose Christmas words: Think of words and phrases related to Christmas, like “Santa Claus,” “reindeer,” “Christmas tree,” “snowman,” or “presents.”

2. Divide into teams: Split the group into two or more teams.

3. Pick a word: One person from each team chooses a word or phrase.

4. Draw or act it out: Now for the fun part! Instead of just drawing or acting, let’s add a twist. Have each person roll a die to decide how they will communicate their word to their team:

   • Roll a 1: Draw the word (Pictionary)
   • Roll a 2: Act out the word (Charades)
   • Roll a 3: Sculpt the word using playdough (like in the game Cranium)

5. Guess the word: The first team to guess the word correctly wins a point!

Tips for playing:

• Set a time limit for each turn to keep the game moving.
• Encourage creativity and laughter.
• Adjust the difficulty of the words based on the age and skill level of the players.

Playing Christmas Pictionary and Charades is a fantastic way to review vocabulary, encourage teamwork, and spark some holiday cheer. It’s a fun and engaging activity for kids of all ages.

Celebrity Heads

Let’s play “Celebrity Heads,” but with a Christmas twist! This guessing game is a fun way to get kids thinking creatively and learning about holiday characters and traditions.

Here’s how to play:

1. Choose Christmas characters: Think of popular holiday figures like Santa Claus, Rudolph, elves, angels, or even a Christmas tree!

2. Write the names on cards: Write the name of each character on a separate card or piece of paper.

3. Stick a card on each player’s forehead: Have a few students sit at the front of the classroom, facing away from the board. Without letting them see, stick a character card on each student’s forehead.

4. Guess who you are: Students take turns asking yes-or-no questions to figure out which character they are. For example, they might ask, “Am I a person?” or “Do I wear a red suit?”

5. Keep asking until you guess right: Each time a student gets a “yes” answer, they can ask another question. They keep asking until they correctly guess their character, or until they reach a certain number of questions (like 10).

6. Switch players and play again: Once someone guesses correctly, switch out the players and play again with new characters!

Important Note: Remember to include characters and traditions that reflect different cultural backgrounds and celebrations. For example, if you have students who celebrate Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere, you might include characters like a kookaburra (an Australian bird) or a pavlova (a popular dessert). This ensures that everyone feels included and can learn about different holiday customs.

Make Christmas Cards

Making Christmas cards is a fun and creative way for kids to spread holiday cheer and practice their writing and artistic skills. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about Christmas traditions and vocabulary.

Here’s how to make your own Christmas cards:

1. Learn about Christmas words and symbols: Before you start, learn some common Christmas greetings, like “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” and “Season’s Greetings.” You can also explore traditional Christmas symbols, such as:

   • Bells: They symbolize the announcement of the good news of Jesus’s birth.
   • Stars: They represent the star that guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem.
   • Christmas trees: They symbolize everlasting life.
   • Snowflakes: They represent the beauty and uniqueness of winter.

2. Choose who you’ll give your card to: Think about who you want to give your card to. It could be a family member, a friend, a teacher, or someone else special in your life.

3. Write your message: Write a heartfelt message in your card. You can use the Christmas greetings you learned, or write your own special message.

4. Decorate your card: Now it’s time to get creative! Decorate your card with drawings, stickers, glitter, or anything else you like. You can use the Christmas symbols you learned about, or come up with your own designs.

Making Christmas cards is a fun and meaningful activity that allows kids to express their creativity and spread holiday cheer to those they care about.

Need some inspiration for your Christmas cards? Check out this collection of 50+ Christmas wishes to find the perfect message to express your holiday cheer. From heartfelt greetings to funny sayings, there’s something for everyone on your list.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas, create a holiday season filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable memories with this collection of engaging Christmas games for kids. Whether you’re planning a classroom party, a family gathering, or simply looking for ways to keep little ones entertained during the holidays, these games offer something for everyone.

From active games that get kids moving and grooving to creative activities that spark imagination and teamwork, these Christmas games for kids provide a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. More than just entertainment, these games offer opportunities to build relationships, strengthen bonds, and create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.

So gather your children, friends, and family, embrace the spirit of playfulness, and let these Christmas games transform your holiday season into a truly magical experience. Happy playing and happy holidays!