27 Epic Christmas Games That Bring Joy To Kids
The moment holiday decorations go up, kids seem to have endless energy—but not always the patience to sit still.
You’ve probably experienced it: sugar rushes, fidgeting, and repeated cries of “I’m bored!” during parties or family gatherings.
It can be stressful trying to keep everyone entertained while still enjoying the season yourself. I’ve been there, and it’s not easy to find activities that balance fun, creativity, and engagement for children of different ages.
Each activity is designed to capture attention, get kids moving, or challenge their minds in playful ways. From energetic relay races to quiet puzzle challenges, these games help children focus, cooperate, and laugh together.
The games also give parents and caregivers a break from constantly thinking of ways to entertain.
By the end of this list, you’ll have a collection of festive ideas that fill your home or classroom with laughter, creativity, and holiday spirit.
These 27 Christmas games make it easy to turn restless energy into fun, meaningful memories.
1. Christmas Bingo
Christmas Bingo turns a normal game into a holiday adventure. Each card has cute Christmas pictures like candy canes, snowmen, and reindeer.
Players mark the pictures as they are called out. Winning feels exciting when a row is completed and “Bingo!” is shouted. Everyone can join in, and the game can be played again with new cards.
Source: Etsy
2. Pin The Nose On Rudolph
Source: fridaywereinlove
This game makes everyone giggle while trying to pin a nose on Rudolph’s face. Blindfolds add a silly twist, and spinning around makes it tricky.
The closest placement of the red nose wins, and the funny attempts create lots of laughs. Preparing a big Rudolph poster and a few cut-out noses is simple. Kids feel proud when they get close.
3. Gingerbread House Contest
Source: Amelia Scott
A Gingerbread House Contest is perfect for little builders with big imaginations. Kids get to use graham crackers, frosting, and colorful candy to create their own sweet masterpieces.
Everyone has a chance to show creativity, whether it’s adding candy canes, gumdrops, or frosting designs.
4. Christmas Charades
Source: craftivityd
Christmas Charades fills the room with laughter and creativity. Acting out holiday scenes like building a snowman or unwrapping gifts keeps everyone guessing.
Teams can cheer for each other, and the guessing makes the game extra exciting. A timer adds a bit of challenge, and kids feel proud when their friends figure out the tricky prompts.
5. Snowball Toss
Snowball Toss is all about aiming and giggling. Soft snowballs (cotton balls work best) are thrown into buckets or containers with different points.
Hitting the far buckets makes scoring more exciting. Kids enjoy trying again and again, and friendly competition keeps everyone involved. It’’s a great way to burn off extra holiday energy while still having fun.
6. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Source: Literacy Learn
Finding hidden treasures is always exciting, especially during Christmas. Your home or backyard can turn into a magical holiday hunt with ornaments, candy canes, or tiny toys.
Clues can lead from one spot to another, creating a sense of discovery. Teamwork makes the game even more fun, and everyone can cheer when a prize is finally found.
7. Reindeer Antler Ring Toss
Source: insidermama
A set of inflatable antlers becomes the center of laughter when friends and family try tossing rings onto them. Everyone takes turns, and the sillier the tosses, the funnier the game becomes. Watching someone miss or spin around chasing a ring always brings giggles.
8. Candy Cane Hunt
Source: HHIFamilyGamesQuestions
Candy canes hidden around the house or yard make for an exciting treasure hunt. Clues or riddles can guide kids to their sweet prizes, creating a sense of adventure.
Each discovery brings smiles, and sharing the treats afterward adds to the joy. This game encourages moving around and thinking creatively, and it’s simple to set up.
9. Christmas Pictionary
Source: fridaywereinlove
Holiday-themed drawings can turn into giggles in seconds. Teams try to guess the Christmas word or phrase that someone is sketching.
The timer adds excitement, and the sillier the drawings, the louder the laughs. Creativity gets a boost while everyone practices thinking fast and watching each other’s hilarious attempts. Pictionary is a perfect indoor activity.
10. Ornament Relay Race
Source: Aleah
Kids stay active, focused, and a little competitive, but in a friendly way that encourages cheering for each other. Decorating the ornaments beforehand adds a personal, festive touch, and playing indoors or outdoors works equally well.
Watching friends wobble, giggle, and celebrate each small victory is the highlight of this playful holiday activity.
Carrying an ornament on a spoon sounds simple, but it quickly turns into a giggly challenge. Everyone races to a finish line without dropping their ornament, and each stumble adds to the fun. Starting over after a fall makes the game suspenseful and keeps everyone on their toes.
11. Snowman Bowling
Source: Experience Butler County
Snowman Bowling brings winter fun indoors. Your living room or hallway can turn into a mini bowling alley with just a few bottles and a soft ball.
Kids love knocking down snowmen made from empty bottles decorated with cotton and paper. Each turn feels exciting as everyone cheers and laughs. It’s perfect for keeping energy up on chilly days.
12. Christmas Carol Lip Sync Battle
Source: Annette C
Holiday music turns into a show when a lip sync battle starts. Your kids can choose their favorite carols and perform with funny faces and silly moves.
The living room becomes a stage, and laughter fills the air. Friends or family watching get just as much fun out of cheering and guessing the songs.
13. Elf On The Shelf Hide And Seek
Source: Houston Moms
Finding the elf each morning makes waking up extra exciting. Your kids will love searching every corner for the little elf hiding somewhere new each night.
Anticipation grows as they tiptoe around, wondering where it could be. The elf becomes a tiny magical friend that makes mornings playful.
Rules about not touching the elf add a funny little challenge, and your kids feel proud when they find it.
14. Jingle Bell Relay
Source: HHIFamilyGamesQuestions
Relays with jingle bells make running around fun and festive. Your kids can race in teams, balancing a bell on a spoon as they go. The challenge of keeping the bell from falling adds a silly tension that keeps everyone laughing. Teammates cheer each other on, and excitement grows with every turn.
Kids also learn to focus while moving quickly, which makes the game both active and engaging. Passing the bell down the line teaches teamwork, patience, and coordination.
Even small mistakes turn into moments of laughter. This simple game fills the room with energy, giggles, and holiday cheer, making it a perfect addition to any holiday party or family gathering.
15. Christmas Memory Match
Source: Etsy
Memory Match turns holiday cards into a brain-boosting challenge. Your kids will enjoy flipping cards to find pairs with Santa, reindeer, and presents.
Concentration grows as they try to remember where each image is hiding. Friendly competition makes the game lively, and kids feel proud when they find a matching pair. It’s quiet, fun, and perfect for indoor play.
16. Snowman Stack
Source: Dawn Stroop
Stacking cups into a snowman can turn your living room into a mini winter wonderland. Your friends or siblings will love trying to balance as many cups as possible before they tumble.
Adding buttons, scarves, or a paper carrot nose makes the game extra festive. Every time a tower falls, everyone laughs together. Snowman Stack is a simple way to keep hands busy.
17. Wise Men’s Treasure Hunt
Source: Etsy
A treasure hunt brings the story of the Wise Men to life. Clues hidden around the house or yard turn your space into a festive adventure.
Chocolate coins, star-shaped candies, or tiny surprises make the hunt exciting. Following the map or hints with friends can be a fun team challenge.
18. Pin The Halo On The Angel
Source: Jen | KitchenCounterChronicle
This twist on a classic party game brings extra holiday cheer. Blindfolded friends take turns trying to stick a paper halo on a big angel poster.
Giggles erupt every time someone spins the wrong way or misses completely. Teams can compete, or everyone can play solo, making it perfect for any group size.
Watching friends wobble, laugh, and celebrate each little success makes the game memorable. Adding festive music or small prizes can make it even more exciting.
19. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
Source: DecoraNest
Decorating cookies is as much about fun as it is about sweets. Frosting, sprinkles, and candy shapes give your creations personality.
Everyone gets to show off their style, and voting for favorite designs adds excitement. Cookies can be gifts, treats, or just for enjoying together. The contest encourages creativity and lets everyone feel proud of their little masterpieces.
20. Santa Says
Source: Rebekah Cabbage Brock
Decorating cookies is as much about fun as it is about sweets. Frosting, sprinkles, and candy shapes give your creations personality.
Everyone gets to show off their style, and voting for favorite designs adds excitement. Cookies can be gifts, treats, or just for enjoying together. The contest encourages creativity and lets everyone feel proud of their little masterpieces.
21. Christmas Tree Bowling
Source: Cindy Trabin
Christmas Tree Bowling turns your living room or hallway into a tiny holiday bowling alley. Kids can see the excitement as soft balls roll toward green bottles decorated like Christmas trees. Everyone cheers for each tree that falls, even if it’s just one. Teams can take turns, keeping score to see who knocks down the most in two tries.
The game keeps kids moving and laughing while practicing hand-eye coordination. Even small kids can join by rolling or tossing gently.
It’s perfect for a party or a snowy day when outdoor play isn’t possible. Watching the bottles tumble is surprisingly satisfying for everyone.
22. Holiday Freeze Dance
Source: countryrebelco
Holiday Freeze Dance fills the room with energy, music, and giggles. Kids wiggle, spin, and jump as upbeat Christmas songs play.
Suddenly, the music stops, and everyone must freeze in place. Watching friends pause in funny or silly poses never gets old. Small challenges, like singing a short carol while frozen or holding a silly pose, add even more fun.
23. Saran Wrap Ball Game
Source: classywish_
The Saran Wrap Ball Game is exciting, messy, and full of laughter. Kids unwrap layers of plastic wrap to discover small toys, candies, or trinkets hidden inside. Using oven mitts or just one hand makes the game trickier and even funnier.
Each turn keeps everyone on edge, hoping for a prize to pop out. Watching friends struggle and laugh while unwrapping adds to the excitement. It works for large groups and keeps kids engaged for a long time. Every prize feels like a small win.
24. Christmas Word Scramble
Source: Rintablee
Christmas Word Scramble is a fun way to challenge your brain during the holidays. Kids get scrambled words like “ysanta” or “northepol” and race to figure out the correct spelling.
Teams or individual players can compete to see who solves the most words in a set time. Each correct answer gives a sense of accomplishment and keeps everyone focused.
25. Indoor Snowball Fight
Source: OnlyInYourState
Indoor Snowball Fight is a safe and fun way to enjoy winter without stepping outside. Crumpled white paper becomes soft snowballs for tossing.
Kids can form teams and try to throw snowballs to the opposing side while dodging incoming ones. Every hit might include a small challenge, like singing a carol or hopping in place.
26. Christmas Hat Relay
Source: Ni Trần
Christmas Hat Relay is a lively and silly game for any holiday gathering. Kids run to a spot, put on a Santa hat, and race back to tag the next teammate.
Adding silly challenges, like spinning, hopping, or singing while wearing the hat, makes the race even more hilarious. Teams cheer each other on, building excitement and a festive spirit. The game works well with large or small groups.
27. Holiday Puzzle Challenge
Source: Lucille DiNome
Holiday Puzzle Challenge is a calm but exciting activity for kids. Each player receives a Christmas-themed puzzle, ranging from simple to challenging, depending on age.
Setting a timer adds a fun race element, while working together encourages teamwork and problem-solving. Every piece that clicks into place brings satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
