The holiday season brings magic, wonder, and the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with festive celebrations. Whether you're planning Christmas party activities for kids at home or organizing Xmas classroom games, having a variety of fun activities ready ensures everyone stays entertained and embraces the Christmas spirit.
The best Christmas party games for kids combine simplicity with holiday cheer. From preschoolers to teenagers, these game ideas keep children engaged while celebrating the season's joy. Keep reading for our collection of top activities that work wonderfully for different age groups and settings.
- Easy Holiday Party Games for All Ages
- Preschool Christmas Party Games
- Elementary School Xmas Party Games
- Middle & High School Christmas Party Games
- Outdoor Christmas Party Games for Kids
- Spread Holiday Cheer with Family-Friendly Party Games
Easy Holiday Party Games for All Ages
Let's start with some classics that work for mixed-age groups. These holiday party games for kids are perfect for family gatherings or classroom celebrations:
1. Christmas bingo
Christmas bingo is a timeless favorite that never fails to engage kids of all ages. Create custom bingo cards featuring holiday symbols like candy canes, presents, and snowmen. Multiple versions can be made — one with pictures for younger children and another with holiday words for older kids. Small candy pieces make perfect markers and add an extra sweet incentive.
To make the game extra engaging, consider using holiday-themed calling cards and having players make sound effects when certain items are called, like "ho ho ho" for Santa or "jingle jingle" for bells. This interactive element keeps young players focused and adds to the festive atmosphere.
2. Gingerbread house contest
A gingerbread house contest brings out everyone's creative side. Divide participants into teams and provide each with a basic gingerbread house kit. Set a time limit and let imaginations run wild with frosting, candies, and decorations. Gingerbread decorating works particularly well with mixed age groups who can help each other. Photos of the finished masterpieces preserve the memories before they're devoured!
Consider providing additional materials like pretzel rods for fencing, shredded coconut for snow, and various candies for creative landscaping. Create fun categories like "Most Architectural," "Best Winter Wonderland Scene," and "Most Colorful Design" to ensure multiple winners.
3. Cookie decorating competition
Cookie decorating competitions are another crowd-pleaser. Use plain Christmas cookies and provide various frostings, sprinkles, and edible decorations. Categories like "Most Creative," "Most Festive," and "Most Likely to Make Santa Smile" make everyone feel like a winner.
Set up decoration stations with different colored frostings, piping bags, and an array of toppings. Consider having a demonstration of basic decorating techniques before starting. Provide inspiration cards with simple designs for younger participants and challenge older ones to create elaborate patterns.
Don't forget to take pictures of the creations before they're eaten!
Preschool Christmas Party Games
Keep activities simple and engaging when planning kids' Christmas party games. Try these Christmas party ideas:
4. Santa says
"Santa Says" puts a holiday spin on the classic Simon Says game. Children follow commands like "Santa says touch your red nose" or "Santa says march like a toy soldier." This game helps develop listening skills while burning energy.
Add festive commands like "Santa says wrap a present," "Santa says decorate the tree," or "Santa says ride in the sleigh." For added fun, the leader can wear a Santa hat and speak in a jolly voice. Keep commands simple and demonstrate actions for very young children.
5. Freeze dance
Freeze dance becomes extra festive with holiday music. When the music stops, kids must freeze like snowmen. Make it more challenging by having them freeze in specific poses, like wrapping a present or decorating a tree.
Create a playlist of upbeat holiday songs and mix in some traditional favorites. Encourage creative movement by suggesting different holiday characters to imitate. For example, elves making toys, reindeer flying, or Christmas trees swaying in the wind.
6. Sort the Christmas tree ornaments
Sorting Christmas tree ornaments helps develop color recognition and counting skills. Provide various plastic ornaments and have children sort them by color, size, or shape. Make it cooperative by working together to decorate a classroom tree with the sorted ornaments.
7. Holiday I spy
Holiday I Spy engages observation skills while introducing Christmas vocabulary. Create a festive scene and have children find specific items. For very young children, stick to obvious items like "something red" or "something that sparkles."
Add complexity for older preschoolers by including more specific items or counting elements. This game helps develop vocabulary, observation skills, and patience.
Elementary School Xmas Party Games
Older children enjoy more challenging activities that incorporate competition and creativity:
8. Snowball race
The snowball race involves using plastic spoons to transfer cotton balls ("snowballs") from one container to another. Teams race against each other or the clock, adding excitement while developing hand-eye coordination.
9. Pin the nose on the reindeer
Pin the nose on the reindeer updates the classic party game with a holiday twist. Blindfolded players try to place a red pompom nose on a large reindeer picture. The closest to the correct spot wins.
Create a large reindeer face on poster board or bulletin board paper, complete with antlers and eyes. Make it more challenging by having players spin three times before attempting to place the nose. Keep track of each attempt by writing players' names near their placed noses.
10. Candy cane hunt
A candy cane hunt puts a holiday spin on an Easter egg hunt. Hide candy canes around the space and give each child a small basket or bag. Make it more challenging by assigning different point values to different candy cane sizes or colors.
11. Holiday Mad Libs
Holiday mad libs create laugh-out-loud stories with a Christmas theme. Children practice parts of speech while creating silly tales about Santa's workshop or reindeer adventures. Create custom stories about holiday traditions, Santa's preparation for Christmas Eve, or adventures at the North Pole.
Before playing, review different parts of speech with the group and provide examples. After completing each story, have volunteers act it out for additional entertainment. Consider creating a book of completed stories for the class to enjoy throughout the holiday season.
Middle & High School Christmas Party Games
Older kids appreciate more sophisticated activities that encourage social interaction, such as:
12. White elephant
White elephant gift exchanges teach the art of giving and receiving with good humor. Set a reasonable price limit and encourage creative wrapping. Consider themed exchanges like "only red and green items" or "must be useful in winter."
13. Shake the snowballs out
"Shake the snowballs out" is a hilarious party starter. Players tie a tissue box filled with ping pong balls around their waist and must shake them all out without using their hands. The first to empty their box wins.
Make tissue box "backpacks" using ribbon or string, and decorate them with holiday paper. Fill each box with the same number of ping pong balls (painted white for authenticity). Create tournament brackets for multiple rounds of competition.
14. Holiday Charades
Holiday charades gets everyone moving and laughing. Include modern references along with traditional holiday themes. Categories might include Christmas movies, songs, traditions, and characters.
15. Christmas movie trivia
Christmas movie trivia appeals to competitive spirits. Create multiple-choice questions about popular holiday films, from classics to contemporary favorites. Consider team play to encourage cooperation and discussion.
Outdoor Christmas Party Games for Kids
Check out these Christmas activities for families to take the fun outside:
16. Snow paint
Snow paint activities let children express creativity on a unique canvas. You can buy snow paint at the store or mix food coloring and water to let kids create colorful designs in the snow.
17. Snowman building competition
A snowman building competition brings out team spirit and creativity. Provide traditional accessories like carrots and scarves, as well as unexpected items like sports equipment or holiday decorations. Award prizes for categories like "Most Original" and "Most Holiday Spirit."
18. Christmas obstacle course
Design a Christmas obstacle course using holiday-themed challenges. Players might crawl through "Santa's tunnel," toss "presents" into a chimney, and weave through candy cane poles. Add festive music to increase excitement.
Create stations that incorporate different skills: balancing on a "frozen pond" (blue tarp), delivering presents (carrying boxes while navigating obstacles), and "flying" through ribbon hoops. You might also consider team relay versions for larger groups.
19. Campfire storytelling
Campfire storytelling creates a cozy atmosphere for sharing holiday memories and traditions. Serve hot chocolate and encourage everyone to contribute a story, whether it's a favorite holiday memory or a made-up tale about North Pole adventures.
Spread Holiday Cheer with Family-Friendly Party Games
Whether hosting a classroom party, family gathering, or neighborhood celebration, incorporating a mix of active games, creative projects, and engaging activities ensures everyone finds something to enjoy. Capturing photos of these moments helps preserve the holiday memories for years to come.
Holiday celebrations become even more special with delicious treats from Mrs. Fields®. Nothing complements Christmas party games for kids quite like fresh-baked cookies and treats. Whether using them as game prizes or creating a cookie decorating station with our baked goods, these beloved treats add extra joy to any holiday gathering.