Hi, I’m Emma, and I absolutely love planning fun-filled celebrations for little ones! One of the best parts of the holiday season is organizing Christmas Party Games for Kids that light up their faces with joy. These games aren’t just about winning—they’re about laughter, bonding, and creating unforgettable memories.
Christmas Party Games for Kids
Christmas party games for kids add extra fun and excitement to holiday celebrations. These playful activities keep children engaged, laughing, and filled with festive cheer.
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
This festive twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” brings Rudolph into the spotlight! Kids are blindfolded and spun around, then try to pin a red nose onto a large Rudolph poster. It’s full of giggles and perfect for younger children to enjoy. Make sure to prepare a big wall space and plenty of red sticker noses.
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Use a printed or handmade Rudolph poster at kid-height
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Cut red circles from felt or paper and use tape or velcro for sticking
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Blindfold each child and spin them gently
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Mark each nose with the player’s name to track placement
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Give a prize for the closest nose or just celebrate everyone’s effort
Christmas Bingo
This fun game blends visuals, vocabulary, and festive icons into a quiet activity. Kids use markers or candies to cover spaces as images are called out. Great for calming things down mid-party while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
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Use printable Christmas-themed bingo cards
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Use small candies or stickers as markers
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Read out clues slowly and clearly for all ages
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Offer small prizes for winners of each round
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Mix up card designs so each child gets a unique one
Reindeer Antler Ring Toss
Kids try to toss rings onto antlers worn by another player or a hat stand shaped like reindeer horns. This silly game brings laughs and improves aim and focus. It’s perfect for pairs or teams and works indoors or outdoors.
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Buy inflatable antlers or make your own
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Use glow rings or DIY felt rings for tossing
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Make the antler target stand still for younger kids
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Keep score or go by who lands the most rings
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Play music for added holiday energy
Candy Cane Hunt
Kids will love racing around the room in search of hidden candy canes. This game is simple to set up and keeps children moving and focused. Hide them in easy-to-find spots for younger kids or get creative for older ones. Let the sweet reward of finding candy canes be part of the fun!
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Use real or plastic candy canes to avoid sticky messes
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Set a timer to keep the hunt exciting
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Assign different point values to differently colored candy canes
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Let each child keep a few of their found canes as a treat
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Hide some in teams for a fun group version
Santa Says
This holiday version of Simon Says is perfect for groups. A leader dressed as Santa gives commands—some to follow, some to ignore unless they start with “Santa says.” It sharpens listening skills while delivering festive fun.
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Choose a confident child or adult to play Santa
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Start with easy actions like “Santa says jump”
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Add holiday-themed motions like “wrap a gift” or “shake a jingle bell”
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Eliminate kids only if they’re out multiple times to keep it fun
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Reward the most attentive player with a small prize
Elf Relay Race
Kids transform into speedy elves racing to complete holiday tasks like carrying gifts, decorating mini trees, or dressing in elf costumes. It’s a high-energy game that promotes teamwork and laughter.
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Set up a clear start and finish line
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Use wrapped boxes or plush gifts for carrying
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Include holiday dress-up tasks like putting on elf hats or scarves
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Divide kids into equal teams for fairness
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Time each round and cheer loudly for all
Christmas Charades
Acting out Christmas-related prompts without speaking makes this a crowd favorite. From decorating a tree to pretending to be Santa, kids use gestures to get their team to guess the word or phrase.
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Prepare festive prompts in advance on slips of paper
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Split into teams or play as a big group
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Allow kids to pass if a clue is too tricky
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Set a timer to keep rounds moving quickly
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Encourage expressive actions and lots of laughter
Christmas Cookie Decorating Challenge
Turn cookie decorating into a mini competition or collaborative art project. Each child gets a plain sugar cookie and toppings to make it festive. This game satisfies creative and snacky moods in one go.
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Provide cookies, frosting, sprinkles, and candies
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Use disposable table covers for easy cleanup
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Set a time limit to keep it game-like
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Let kids vote on categories like “most colorful” or “funniest”
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Send home cookies in decorated bags as party favors
Snowman Bowling
Use empty plastic bottles decorated as snowmen for a fun indoor bowling lane. Kids roll a lightweight ball and try to knock down as many “snowmen” as possible. It’s a safe and hilarious twist on regular bowling.
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Fill bottles with a bit of rice for stability
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Decorate bottles with eyes, scarves, and hats
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Use a soft foam or rubber ball for rolling
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Keep track of scores or play just for fun
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Rearrange pins differently for variety
Christmas Pictionary
Drawing holiday-themed items adds laughter and creativity to the party. Kids try to guess what their teammates are sketching—from reindeer to snow globes. No art skills required—just a willingness to have fun!
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Use whiteboards, paper pads, or chalkboards
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Include age-appropriate holiday words in your prompt list
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Set a 60-second timer for each turn
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Let teams guess multiple times within the time limit
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Reward silly guesses as well as correct ones
Gift Wrap Relay
Kids compete to wrap a box as quickly and neatly as they can. It’s harder than it sounds—and much funnier to watch! This game builds fine motor skills and holiday cheer.
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Provide boxes, wrapping paper, tape, and ribbon
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Include challenges like only using one hand
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Let kids race solo or in teams for a relay
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Judge on speed, neatness, and creativity
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Use recycled materials to stay eco-friendly
Guess What’s in the Stocking
Fill a Christmas stocking with small objects, and let kids feel and guess what’s inside. No peeking allowed! This guessing game boosts observation and sensory skills.
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Use wrapped or oddly shaped items for a challenge
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Let kids shake, press, or squeeze the stocking
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Have them write down their guesses before the reveal
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Give points for each correct answer
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Swap items between rounds to keep the game fresh
Build a Snowman Challenge
Teams or individuals race to build the best indoor snowman using craft supplies or even toilet paper. It’s a hilarious and creative game that everyone will enjoy watching and joining in.
- Use rolls of toilet paper, paper plates, and scarves
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Give a time limit like 5–10 minutes
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Assign roles in teams—builder, decorator, etc.
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Judge based on creativity, speed, and teamwork
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Take group photos with the finished snowmen
Jingle Bell Shake
Put jingle bells inside tissue boxes and strap them to kids’ waists with string or belts. They have to shake out all the bells using only their hips. It’s energetic, silly, and guaranteed to get everyone laughing!
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Use empty tissue boxes and attach with ribbon or belts
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Count how many bells fall out in a set time
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Play holiday music to keep the energy high
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Have a shake-off between top performers
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Ensure the box is secured well so it doesn’t fall off
Snowball Toss
Turn white balloons or soft balls into “snowballs” for a tossing challenge. Kids aim at buckets or festive containers from a distance to see how many snowballs they can land. It’s an easy indoor game that brings winter fun without the cold.
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Use lightweight materials to avoid damage indoors
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Mark tossing lines based on age to keep it fair
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Keep scores and declare a Snowball Toss Champion
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Decorate buckets with snowflakes or snowmen
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Let kids play in pairs for added encouragement
Tips for Hosting Christmas Games for Kids
Hosting Christmas games for kids can be one of the most joyful parts of your holiday celebration. With the right planning, you can create a magical and memorable experience full of fun, laughter, and festive cheer. Here are some helpful tips to make sure your party runs smoothly and all the children have a great time:
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Age-appropriate game selection
Choose games that match the age and ability level of the kids attending. Younger children enjoy simple, hands-on activities, while older kids might prefer competitive or team-based games. -
Have backup games ready
Not every game may go as planned, so prepare extra activities just in case. Quick and easy games like “Santa Says” or “Guess the Christmas Sound” can be lifesavers if things move faster than expected. -
Ensure safety and supervision
Always keep a close eye on the kids, especially during active games. Use soft materials, secure decorations, and avoid small items that can be choking hazards. -
Balance energetic and calm activities
Mix high-energy games like relay races with quieter ones like bingo or crafts. This keeps kids from getting too tired or overwhelmed and helps maintain a fun, steady flow. -
Create a festive game zone with decorations
Designate a space for the games and decorate it with lights, garlands, and holiday props. A cheerful setup adds to the magic and gets kids excited the moment they arrive.
These simple tips will help you host Christmas games that are safe, exciting, and packed with holiday spirit!
FAQ
What are the best Christmas party games for kids of all ages?
Games like Pin the Nose on Rudolph, Snowball Toss, Christmas Bingo, and Candy Cane Hunt are great for a wide age range. They’re simple to set up, fun to play, and easy to adjust for younger or older kids.
How many games should I plan for a Christmas party?
Plan about 4 to 6 games for a 2-hour party. Include a mix of active and quiet games to keep the kids entertained without overwhelming them. Always have 1–2 backup games just in case.
Can I play these games indoors?
Yes! Most of the games like Reindeer Antler Ring Toss, Christmas Pictionary, and Snowman Bowling are perfect for indoor spaces. Just clear the area to make sure it’s safe for running or tossing.
What kind of prizes should I give out?
Keep it simple and festive. Candy canes, stickers, small toys, Christmas-themed pencils, or mini stockings filled with treats make great prizes. You can also give participation gifts so every child feels included.
I’m Emma Rosenthal, an event planner based in New York City with a passion for bringing people together through unforgettable celebrations. I created partyonmind.com to share my best party ideas, wedding inspirations, and fun games for kids, adults, and everyone in between. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a grand event, I love helping you make every occasion special with creative and engaging activities. Let’s make every party one to remember!