19 Fun Christmas Party Games for Kids

Although everyone loves Christmas, it is really a holiday designed for kids. And nothing makes the holiday more fun than Christmas games and activities designed specifically for them. We have some old favorite kid games with a Christmas twist, some new popular Christmas games, and some time-consuming activities to keep the kids entertained for longer. Choose from our Christmas Party Games, Fun Christmas Games, or Christmas Activities for kids.

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Christmas Party Games for Kids

Christmas parties for kids are more fun with games. Choose one or more of the following for a fun time.

Stack the Gifts

All you need for this game is several wrapped packages of various sizes. Try stacking them yourself to make sure the challenge is difficult but possible. Play in teams or pairs if you wish. The goal is to see how many gifts kids can stack before the pile topples. The tallest stable stack wins.

Stocking Guessing Game

Fill a stocking with small toys and Christmas items, for example, a candy cane, bell, small car, or pinecone. Let the kids feel the stocking and try to identify the contents. The child with the most correct guesses wins.

Pin the Nose on the Snowman

Use white paper to make the outline of a snowman. Provide eyes, a mouth, and a black top hat. Cut orange “carrot” noses for the kids to attach to the face. Add a piece of double-sided tape to each nose. Blindfold players and spin them gently before each turn.

Candy Cane Hunt

Hide candy canes and let the kids look for them. You can also use individually wrapped Christmas candy and a few small toys. Before the hunt, let the kids decorate brown sandwich bags with markers and Christmas stickers to collect their treats.

Snow Blower Game

This simple game works for even the youngest kids. You need a few cotton balls and a colorful drinking straw for each child. Draw a finish line on a large piece of paper or tape one on a tabletop. The goal is to move a cotton ball across the finish line by blowing through the straw. Older children can play in pairs and keep team points. The team with the most wins.

Ringing Bells Memory Game

A fun version of the classic memory game. Use individually wrapped Hershey’s Kisses. Adhere dot stickers to the bottoms and write matching number pairs on the stickers. Kids turn over candies and try to remember their locations to make matched pairs. Adjust the total number of candies to fit the age of your group.

Christmas Musical Chair Games

Choose a version that fits your group’s age, attention span, and prep time.

• Traditional Musical Chairs. Add Christmas music and play with one fewer chair than players. When the music stops, the child without a seat is out.
• Pass the Present. While music plays, pass a wrapped gift around the circle. When the music stops, whoever holds the package is out.
• Christmas Ornament Musical Chairs. Cut ornament shapes from bright construction paper. When the music stops, each child must stand on an ornament. Whoever can’t find one is out.

In all versions, the child left at the end is the winner.

Fun Christmas Games for Kids

Kid-friendly Christmas games entertain at parties and at home. Make sure games match the age and maturity level of the kids. Explain rules clearly, demonstrate for younger children, and make sure everyone participates.

Jingle Bell Tossing

Hot-glue ten plastic cups in a bowling-pin triangle on a heavy piece of cardboard. Provide small jingle bells to toss into the cups. For older children, play in teams or pairs. Whoever lands the most bells in cups wins.

Santa Says

A holiday twist on Simon Says. Have an adult be Santa for the first round to demonstrate. Give directions such as:

• Santa says, touch your toes.
• Santa says, jump on one leg.
• Santa says, run in place.

Then give a command without saying “Santa says.” The first player who follows that command becomes Santa. Continue until everyone has had a turn.

Snowball Relay Race

Move cotton-ball “snowballs” from one side of the room to the other with a plastic spoon. Divide into two teams. The first player on each team transfers cotton balls from a full bucket to an empty one, then runs back and passes the spoon. If a cotton ball drops, leave it on the floor. Count the cotton balls at the end. The team with the most wins.

That Present Is Mine!

Have each child bring a gently used toy wrapped as a gift. Sitting in a circle, the first child chooses and unwraps a present. Each following child can either take a previously opened gift or pick a wrapped one. Everyone ends up with something, and the trading makes it fun.

Christmas Activities for Kids

When school is out, boredom can creep in. Try these Christmas activities to pass the time and teach helpful skills like creativity and caring for others. We’ve included options for both large and small groups, some at home and some that involve a short car trip.

Decorate Christmas Cookies

Decorating cookies to eat and share is a perfect holiday activity. Plan at least four to five cookies per child. Provide sprinkles and toppings. Coconut makes a great beard for Santa and chocolate dots work for eyes. You can double or triple the recipes for a large group. Place decorated cookies on parchment so icing can set. Bake cookies ahead so they’re cool for decorating.

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill dough for at least one hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on a floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, depending on your cutters. Cut cookies and place about 1 inch apart on ungreased sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons milk
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
Food coloring

Directions:
In a small bowl, stir together confectioners’ sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and extract until glossy. Add a bit more corn syrup if too thick. Divide into small bowls and tint with food coloring. Apply icing in any of these ways:

• Dip half the cookie in icing.
• Spread with a knife or the back of a spoon.
• Paint on with a clean brush.

Snow Art

For a snowy day. Smooth a large area of snow. Fill dollar-store spray bottles with water and food dye. Encourage kids to mix colors and spray messages, drawings, and designs. Gel food dye gives more vibrant color. Dress warmly.

Christmas Balloon Tennis

Great for all ages. Blow up red and green balloons. Tape tongue depressors to holiday paper plates to make paddles. Kids bat balloons and try to cross a finish line marked with masking tape. Works well as a team race.

Christmas Maze

Start a party with a yarn maze. Use several small balls of different colors. Tie one end to a pencil, then string yarn around the room, under and over furniture. Cut and repeat for each child, crisscrossing paths. When kids arrive, hand each a pencil and have them wind their color back to the start.

Some Quick and Easy Christmas Activities

• Christmas Movie Theater. Choose a favorite or classic, serve popcorn and apple cider, and enjoy a cozy afternoon.
• Repurposed Christmas Cards. Provide construction paper, decals, markers, and old cards to make new greetings for friends and family.
• Visit a Nursing Home. Spread cheer with a visit. Call ahead for hours, guidelines, and any special needs you can meet inexpensively.
• Christmas Light Tour. Take an evening drive through neighborhoods known for their displays.
• Christmas Caroling. Take a family walk and sing around the neighborhood.
• Write Letters to Santa. Set up a writing station. Send letters home with parents afterward.

The best kids’ Christmas games keep kids busy while providing fun. If you use these games for a party, hand out a small goodie bag as guests leave so everyone takes something home. Choose a time-consuming activity, a shorter active game, or a pick from the Quick and Easy list. Whatever you choose, Christmas will be more fun and memorable.