The Best Christmas Games for Kids to Play with Family

Get set for a holly jolly good time with the best Christmas games for kids! From the much-loved “How to Play a Game with Christmas Bows” to other festive faves, these games will have you and your loved ones giggling and grinning ear to ear. So, gather ’round the tree or hit the great outdoors and let the holiday magic begin!

Unwrap the Fun: How to Play Games with Christmas Bows

Playing games during the holiday season is always fun! Whether you’re hosting a strawberry Santa-building contest or playing a game with Christmas bows is a great way to get into the festive spirit. Here is a step-by-step guide to show you how to play this game:

Materials Needed

• Favorite Bow Set!
• T-Shirt
• Tape
• A designated playing area
• Instructions

A Festive Christmas Race: Bow Edition

Get your team together for a thrilling holiday competition. The aim is to attach as many bows to your team members’ backs as possible before the other team does.

This DIY game is simple to play, but removing the tab from the bow can be challenging, especially for little ones like toddlers. It is recommended to remove the sticky tabs beforehand or apply tape to the back of the bow.

We played this game on Christmas Day in our pajamas in the backyard – parents versus kids – and it quickly became our favorite party game. Suitable for Christmas parties, PTO events, classroom games, or youth group games at church.

#1 – Rules of How to Play a Game with Christmas Bows

Having learned what the game is, let’s play it. 

1. To get started, you’ll need at least 2-4 players (or more).
2. There will be one player with a bag of bows, and the other will have their back turned. 
3. Next, set the timer for one minute.
4. The goal is to add as many bows as possible on the other player’s back before the timer expires.
5. A Christmas prize will be awarded to the player with the most bows on the back.

How to Play the Bow Toss Party Game

The holiday season is a time for celebration and joy! What better way to celebrate with kids than with some fun Christmas games? There is a fun way to make kids of all ages have a Merry Christmas using a simple game such as musical chairs, throwing jingle bells, or cotton balls into red solo cups.

There are so many fun ideas including easy minute to win it Christmas games. These are not only entertaining but also help kids get into the festive spirit.

So grab some candy canes from your Christmas tree, bows from your gift closet, and find a great way to entertain younger children this holiday season with these ideas.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking for activities to entertain children during the Christmas season, this hilarious bow tossing party game is one of our favorites!

MATERIALS NEEDED

• Tape
• Gift bows

Instructions:

In this party activity, you will compete against your opponent to see how many Christmas bows you can toss and stick to the tape in one minute.

1. Divide the kids into teams and provide each player with an equal amount of holiday bows.
2. To toss the bows, each contestant must stand at the same distance from the tape, for example, preschoolers would stand about 3-5 feet away.
3. Every player should toss the Christmas bows one at a time. 
4. It’s a race to see who can toss the most gift bows and get them to stick to the tape. 
5. The winner will be declared after each player has had their turn. The game will continue until all the bows are tossed.

There are only two materials you need: this tape and gift bows.

The winner of this fun game will be the player with the most successful tosses in a minute. This year’s winning player will be crowned the winner of the Christmas Bow Toss. Ultimately, the player with the most bows that stick will be declared the winner.

Festive Outdoor Christmas Games for Kids

Take your holiday activities outside with these fun ideas this season.

#3 – Bow Scavenger Hunt

Make it a Christmas scavenger hunt by searching for a gift bow holiday assortment or Christmas party decorations. The bow hunt will be similar to an Easter egg hunt and whoever finds the most bows at the end of the trial will win a prize. A special prize will be given to the kid that finds the gold bow!

Instructions: 

1. Make sure to set a clear start and end time for the scavenger hunt. 
2. Turn the Christmas scavenger hunt into a treasure hunt by giving everyone a bag or stocking to fill with bows and decor.
3. The items can be hidden in various places around the neighborhood. As a result, bow hunters will have the opportunity to collect the items and turn them in to win a Christmas prize.
4. You can also do this in the backyard or park.

By finding gifts and decorations on tree trunks or other places outdoors, you can create your own holiday scavenger hunt.

#4 – Christmas Tree Game

This Christmas kid party game idea consists of decorating empty boxes with green paper and a star to make a giant tumbling DIY Christmas tree. The players take turns trying to knock down the Christmas tree with balls that resemble ornaments. 

Instructions:

1. Team up the players or let them play individually, but make sure the starting line is clearly marked.
2. Each player will have a set amount of balls (ornaments to use) that are the same for each player. The ornament balls to use for this are these giant inflatable Christmas balls.
3. The player who knocks down the tree with the oranments wins. This makes for a fun and festive game that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike.

Christmas Games for Kids

The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than playing some Christmas-themed games with bows?

There are hilarious games to play with your family this holiday season. You can make your own rules, like in the Christmas Bow Game with a spatula, or enjoy fun holiday group games for kids and adults at your holiday party.

Try the TikTok Money Scoop with present bows or other exciting Christmas party games using gift bows. These games are perfect for adding extra fun to your festive gatherings!

Here are ten more Christmas games for kids that are sure to bring joy and laughter to your holiday gatherings.

Christmas-Themed Game Ideas Using Bows

1. Bow and Arrow Christmas Tree: Set up a Christmas tree target and challenge players to hit the ornaments with a bow and arrow. Bow and Arrow Christmas Tree Hunt
2. Snowman Bow Race: Divide players into teams and have them race to build a snowman using only a bow and ribbon.
3. Gift Wrapping Relay: Have teams compete in a race to wrap presents using bows and ribbons.
4. Bow and Arrow Snowball Fight: Instead of throwing snowballs, have players shoot bows and arrows at each other’s targets.
5. Reindeer Antler Toss: Set up a target with reindeer antlers and have players toss bows to see who can get the most points.

Holiday Games with Bows

1. Bow and Arrow Candy Cane Hunt: Hide candy canes around the house or yard and have players hunt for them using bows and arrows.
2. Christmas Bow Archery: Set up a target with various-sized bows and challenge players to hit the bulls-eye.
3. Snowflake Bow Tag: Have players wear bows and try to tag each other by hitting their bows with a bow and arrow.
4. Pin the Bow on the Gingerbread Man: Similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey, blindfolded players try to pin a bow on a gingerbread man.
5. Bow and Arrow Christmas Carol Karaoke: Players sing Christmas carols while shooting bows and arrows at a target. Each hit earns extra points.

These Christmas-themed games using bows are perfect for adding some extra fun to your holiday celebrations. So grab a bow, ribbon, and get ready to wrap up in some holiday cheer!

Christmas Song Relay

Here’s a fun holiday game for the whole family called Christmas Song Relay. Divide everyone into two teams, the “first team” and the “second team,” and write various Christmas songs and holiday-themed challenges on paper plates.

Each team takes turns drawing a paper plate from the pile. They then have a set time limit (e.g., 2 minutes) to complete the challenge on the plate. Challenges might involve singing a Christmas song, acting out holiday-themed lyrics, or answering holiday trivia questions.

Teams work together to complete these tasks in the right place, such as singing in the living room or performing charades in the dining area. Points are awarded for each completed challenge, and extra points can be given for displaying extra Christmas spirit.

After all the challenges are completed, tally the points to determine which team is the ultimate holiday game champion. This game is a great way to spread the Christmas spirit and enjoy much fun with your family!

Small Group Party Game Idea

For a fun Christmas party game that’s perfect for small groups, try combining the classic ‘Santa Says’ with a festive twist! In this game, one person acts as Santa Claus and gives commands like ‘spin a hula hoop’ or ‘do a jingle bell toss.’

Younger kids love the challenge, and you can mix it up by adding different items, like a piece of paper with holiday tasks. The best part?

You can get creative with different ways to play, and the first person to complete the tasks in the allotted time wins. It’s the perfect game for this time of year to keep everyone entertained!

Christmas Train Adventure Race:

For a lively Christmas party game, set up a series of stations around the room, each themed with festive activities. Start with the whole class divided into teams for a little friendly competition. The first station could be a memory game where they match Christmas cards with corresponding Christmas train sounds.

At the next station, they might race to assemble a mini Christmas train, and then move on to a reindeer game where they complete a fun challenge, like “reindeer relay” or “pin the nose on Rudolph.”

Each station should represent a different world of Christmas cheer, immersing the children in various festive games.

The final station offers a cozy treat: a cup of hot chocolate for each player. The team that completes all the stations first wins a special Christmas prize. This will tye the entire adventure into the Christmas party theme.

Make a Christmas Tree Game: How to Play

There are many preschool Christmas games for kids that both teachers and parents can use to engage their students and children this holiday season. “Make a Christmas Tree,” for instance, is a fun game for kids between the ages of 4 and 8. 

Instructions:

1. In this game, children use green and brown Play-Doh to create a Christmas tree and trunk. 
2. Then, each child will receive a gift bow for the star and buttons resembling ornaments. 
3. There will be a cool Christmas prize for the child who finishes their tree the fastest.

POP ME: The Christmas Balloon Game

“Pop Me” is a fun Christmas game for older kids and teens.

How to Play:

• For a small group, you’ll need 12 balloons, so it’s like 12 days of Christmas. Each red or green balloon needs to have the word POP ME written on it and a bow attached. 
• After that, divide the kids into teams or allow them to hunt for balloons individually. 
• The teen must quickly pop the balloon to collect the gift bow.
• After finding all twelve balloons, the player with the most bows wins. For extra fun, give a holiday prize to the winner.

Build a Festive Tree

In a race, students build holiday trees on their desks, aiming for the quickest time.

You’ll need several gift bows (for each kid) and brown construction paper. The brown paper will represent the trunk of the tree. To win this game, you could put a minute on the clock and the fastest player will win.

Pass the Santa Game: How to Play

Santa visits are something every kid or adult wants. That’s why this Christmas eve party game is a hit! 

Instructions

1. Start by setting up a circle of players and using a Santa plush.
2. Pass Santa around the circle clockwise while Christmas music plays.
3. Award a small prize to the person holding Santa when the music stops.

The prize can be something small like candy or a candy cane. Everyone will enjoy the anticipation and excitement of waiting to see who will get Santa’s visit. It can be a fun way to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Christmas Pretzel Rod Relay:

For a quick and festive Christmas games for kids, gather the family members and divide them into teams. Each team starts with a plate of pretzel rods and a stack of sticky notes. Set a timer for a short time—around 2 minutes.

When the music starts, players race to stick as many sticky notes as possible onto their pretzel rods, turning them into “decorated holiday treats.”

At the end of the round, teams present their creations, and the “little guy” (a designated judge or the youngest player) picks the most creative or funniest pretzel rod. To add to the Christmas dinner fun, players could also draw card games or write festive notes on pieces of paper that will be shared with the remaining students.

This easy Christmas game adds a touch of holiday cheer to your next holiday party and can be a favorite addition to the list of Christmas games!

The Best Candycane Game – Easy to Play

The CUTE factor has me fixated on this kid-friendly Christmas game. This activity requires you to cut out seasonal themes from cardboard and decorate them.

A snowman, candycane, and gingerbread man were among the figures used. To place your feet in the craft (you can find more details with this bigfoot tutorial here), you will need to add tape.

How to Play:

Two players will race across an obstacle course with a starting point and a stopping point. Depending on your preference, you could turn the obstacle course into a winter wonderland or a candyland theme.

In this game, the goal is to walk across the course as quickly as you can and reach the finish line before your opponent.

Winter Themed Game Ideas

Whether you’re looking for a hilarious Winter holiday game to play with your kids or for adults, this one’s a must-try. In conjunction with a Christmas in July party, we even used it.

To make these holiday games, you’ll need cardboard for the feet and tons of gift bows. The winner is the player who can keep the most bows on his or her feet while walking the fastest.

Christmas Charades and Guessing Extravaganza

Try the Christmas Charades and Guessing Extravaganza for a festive and family-friendly game that’s perfect for party guests. Start by preparing white paper cards with Christmas-related words and phrases, and place them in a bowl or hat.

Divide players into two teams, with each team taking turns. A team member draws a card and has 1 minute to act out or draw the word without using letters or numbers while their team guesses. If they guess correctly within the time limit, they earn points and possibly bonus points for quick guesses.

For an extra twist, hide pasta noodles with additional clues around the room, allowing teams to earn extra points when they find them. Continue rotating turns until all cards are used, and the team with the most points at the end wins.

This easy game combines artistic skills with festive fun, making it perfect for family enjoyment.

Christmas Noodle Relay

For a whimsical addition to your holiday festivities, try the Christmas Noodle Relay. Begin by dividing the young children into two teams. Each team gets a bowl of pasta noodles and a festive Christmas word card with a fun twist: the word could be “Snowman,” “Reindeer,” or “White Christmas.”

The game starts with the first player from each team using a spoon to transport as many pasta noodles as they can from one end of the table to the other.

However, here’s the twist—while carrying the noodles, they must follow Simon Says commands, like hopping on one foot or twirling around.

When the music stops, players have to freeze and complete a quick memory game or a fun guessing game where they identify Christmas trains or other festive items shown on flashcards.

After their turn, the next team member takes over, and the relay continues until all team members have had a chance.

The team with the most pasta noodles successfully transported and the best answers to the guessing game win a small Christmas prize, making this game a fun mix of classic game elements, creative ideas, and festive Christmas cheer with little preparation and a pasta noodle! It’s one of our favorite Christmas games for kids!

Conclusion

Get started planning your fun Christmas party games with these fun party ideas. Please enjoy these festive Christmas games or use them as inspiration to create your own holiday activities. 

Consider a Secret Santa, white elephant exchange, or a Christmas carol event for added holiday fun to Christmas games for kids.

Don’t let the music stop. In addition to Christmas party fun, you could also have a Christmas movie marathon or organize a family game night.

I had such a good time last year making this Christmas ornament with my kids. These would also be easy to do with a number of children. It is certainly one of our favorite things to make ornaments with our kids. I love family-friendly Christmas activities.

Finally, you could plan a Christmas-themed craft night or baking competition.

Creating new holiday activities with our family like these is one of our favorite holiday traditions. Small activities such as these can contribute greatly to the creation of lasting holiday memories for the entire family.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!