25 Christmas Games For Kids To Fill The Season With Fun

Each Christmas is a chance for kids to make new friends and play fun games. This year, why not sprinkle some extra cheer with games that are all about the joy of the season? They’ll love teaming up for a snowball toss, guessing the Christmas carol, or playing pin the nose on Rudolph.

Fun Christmas Games For Kids

Christmas isn’t just about gifts and cookies—it’s also a great time to gather the family, unplug, and play together. These games are designed for older kids who love a challenge, enjoy a good laugh, and want to make memories that last long after the decorations come down.

1. Play Christmas Charades

Write down holiday-themed actions, characters, or movies and act them out without speaking. Think “wrapping presents,” “frozen toes,” or “Santa stuck in the chimney.” It’s fast-paced, hilarious, and perfect for groups. Bonus: add a timer for extra excitement.

2. Host a Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Hide festive items around the house—ornaments, candy canes, mini stockings—and give kids clues to find them. You can make it competitive or cooperative. It’s a great way to get everyone moving and thinking. Add small prizes or treats for extra motivation.

3. Play “Name That Christmas Tune”

Play short clips of holiday songs and challenge kids to guess the title. You can hum, whistle, or use a playlist. It’s a musical memory test that gets everyone singing along. Great for music lovers and competitive spirits.

4. Build a Snowman Blindfolded

Give each player cotton balls, buttons, and glue, then blindfold them and have them build a snowman on paper. The results are always silly and surprising. It’s a fun way to test spatial awareness and creativity. Display the masterpieces for laughs!

5. Race in a Candy Cane Relay

Set up a relay race where kids pass candy canes using only spoons or their elbows. It’s harder than it looks—and way more fun. This game encourages teamwork and coordination. Perfect for indoor play with a festive twist.

6. Play Christmas Pictionary

Draw holiday-themed words or phrases and let others guess what they are. Use a whiteboard or paper and set a timer for each round. It’s a great way to combine creativity and quick thinking. Add categories like “Christmas movies” or “winter things” for variety.

7. Wrap a Present with Oven Mitts

Challenge kids to wrap a small gift while wearing bulky oven mitts. It’s clumsy, chaotic, and completely hilarious. You can time each attempt or judge based on neatness. This one’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

8. Play “Who Am I?” Christmas Edition

Tape a holiday character name to each player’s forehead and let them ask yes/no questions to figure out who they are. Think “Rudolph,” “Frosty,” or “The Grinch.” It’s a great icebreaker and builds deductive reasoning. Plus, it’s fun to watch the guesses unfold.

9. Host a Christmas Minute-to-Win-It Challenge

Set up quick challenges like stacking cups into a tree shape or unwrapping candy with gloves. Each task lasts one minute and gets progressively harder. It’s high-energy and perfect for competitive kids. Create a scoreboard to track winners.

10. Play Ornament Balance

Give each player a spoon and a plastic ornament, then have them race across the room without dropping it. Add obstacles or turns for extra challenge. It’s a festive twist on the classic egg-and-spoon race. Great for coordination and giggles.

11. Guess the Christmas Scent

Blindfold players and let them sniff holiday scents—cinnamon, pine, peppermint—and guess what they are. Use candles, spices, or essential oils. It’s a sensory game that’s surprisingly tricky. Perfect for cozy indoor play.

12. Play “Santa Says”

Just like “Simon Says,” but with a holiday twist. Use commands like “Santa says ho ho ho!” or “Santa says decorate the tree!” It’s silly, active, and great for younger teens. Add a few tricky commands to keep them on their toes.

13. Race to Stack Gifts

Use empty boxes wrapped like presents and challenge kids to stack them as high as possible without toppling. You can play solo or in teams. It’s a fun way to test balance and strategy. Bonus: decorate the boxes beforehand for extra flair.

14. Play Christmas Trivia

Create a trivia game with questions about holiday traditions, movies, songs, and history. Let kids play in teams or solo. It’s educational and entertaining all at once. Include a mix of easy and challenging questions to keep everyone engaged.

15. Toss Snowballs into a Wreath

Hang a wreath and let kids toss cotton ball “snowballs” through the center. Keep score or play elimination-style. It’s simple, festive, and great for indoor fun. Add a timer or distance challenge for older kids.

16. Play “Find the Hidden Elf”

Hide a small elf figure somewhere in the house and give clues to help kids find it. You can move it each round or make it part of a larger scavenger hunt. It’s a fun way to build suspense and excitement. Great for imaginative play.

17. Host a Christmas Joke-Off

Let kids take turns telling their best holiday jokes—bonus points for original ones. You can vote on the funniest, corniest, or most creative. It’s a great way to build confidence and share laughs. Keep a joke jar for inspiration.

18. Play Reindeer Ring Toss

Set up antlers (real or inflatable) and toss rings to try and land them. You can use glow sticks, pipe cleaners, or mini wreaths. It’s festive, active, and perfect for parties. Add team challenges or silly prizes for fun.

19. Race in a Gift Wrap Scramble

Give each team a pile of wrapping paper, tape, and boxes, and challenge them to wrap as many as they can in five minutes. Judge based on speed, neatness, or creativity. It’s chaotic fun with a holiday twist. Great for group play.

20. Play “Christmas Would You Rather?”

Ask fun questions like “Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or ride in Santa’s sleigh?” Let kids explain their answers and debate. It’s a great conversation starter and perfect for winding down. Bonus: turn it into a printable game sheet.

21. Build a Marshmallow Snowman

Give kids marshmallows, toothpicks, and candy to build their own snowman. You can judge based on height, creativity, or stability. It’s a hands-on craft-meets-game activity. Plus, they can eat their creations afterward!

22. Play “Pass the Present”

Wrap a small gift in multiple layers of paper. Play music and pass it around—when the music stops, the person holding it unwraps one layer. Keep going until the final gift is revealed. It’s suspenseful, silly, and always a hit.

23. Host a Christmas Lip Sync Battle

Let kids choose a holiday song and perform a lip sync routine. Add costumes, props, or backup dancers for flair. It’s a great way to showcase personality and creativity. Record the performances for a fun keepsake.

24. Play “Snowball Fight” with Paper

Crumple up white paper into “snowballs” and divide into teams. Set boundaries and let the battle begin! It’s active, safe, and surprisingly strategic. Clean-up is easy—and part of the fun.

25. Create a Christmas Escape Room

Design a simple escape room with holiday-themed puzzles, riddles, and clues. Let kids work together to “unlock” the final gift or treat. It’s immersive, challenging, and perfect for older kids. You can scale the difficulty based on age and group size.

🎁 Final Thoughts

Christmas games are the secret ingredient to a joyful, laughter-filled holiday season. These 25 ideas give kids ages 10 to 16 a chance to bond, move, create, and celebrate in ways that go far beyond screen time.

Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for ways to make the season more magical, these games are sure to become new traditions.