Santa Beard Growing Contest: Hilarious Christmas Party Game

Looking for a hilarious Christmas party game that takes almost no time to set up? This Santa Beard Growing Contestis easy, inexpensive, and ridiculously fun to watch!

Players race to create the biggest Santa beard possible using cotton balls—but there’s a catch. No hands allowed once the game begins!

Whether you need a Christmas game for kids, teens, a youth group, classroom party, family Christmas party, or holiday gathering, this silly Santa game is an easy way to get everyone laughing.

And trust me, watching someone frantically attempt to grow a cotton-ball Santa beard in 60 seconds is even funnier than it sounds. 😂🎅

What Is the Santa Beard Growing Contest?

The Santa Beard Growing Contest is a simple Christmas Minute to Win It-style game where players try to collect as many cotton balls as possible on their Vaseline-covered “Santa beard.”

The goal?

Grow the biggest Santa beard before time runs out!

Players apply a small amount of Vaseline to the beard area of their face before the round starts. Then they race to a pile of cotton balls and try to get the cotton balls to stick to their beard area—without using their hands to attach them.

After 60 seconds, everyone returns to the finish line.

The player with the biggest beard—or the most cotton balls still attached—wins!

It’s silly.

It’s easy.

And it makes for some pretty hilarious Christmas party pictures.

Santa Game Tip

Have your camera ready before you start.

You are absolutely going to want photographic evidence of these Santa beards. 😂

Supplies for the Santa Beard Game

One reason I love this easy Christmas party game is that you only need a few inexpensive supplies.

You’ll need:

• Cotton balls
• Vaseline or petroleum jelly
• Jumbo craft sticks or disposable applicators
• A table or tray for the cotton balls
• Timer or phone
• Painter’s tape for marking the start and finish lines
• Optional Christmas prizes

Important: Give each player their own clean applicator for the Vaseline. Do not double-dip or share applicators between players.

You may also want towels or wipes nearby for cleanup when the Santa transformations are over.

How to Set Up the Santa Beard Growing Contest

Setup is super simple.

Choose an open area where players have enough room to move safely.

Mark a starting line with painter’s tape. Several feet away, place a table or tray filled with cotton balls.

Before the game starts, give each participant a clean disposable applicator and have them apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the area where their Santa beard will go.

Then put 60 seconds on the clock.

That’s it.

Santa’s beard-growing salon is officially open. 🎅

Make It Easier for Younger Kids

If you’re playing with younger children, skip the running portion completely.

Place the cotton balls on a table in front of the players and let them concentrate on creating their silly Santa beards.

You can also give preschoolers and younger kids a little more time instead of sticking to the 60-second limit.

The goal is laughter—not Santa-level athletic ability.

How to Play the Santa Beard Game

Here’s the easiest way to play:

1. Choose at least two players.
2. Put plenty of cotton balls on a table or tray.
3. Give each player a clean applicator with a small amount of Vaseline.
4. Players spread the Vaseline over their beard area before the timer begins.
5. Have everyone stand behind the starting line.
6. Set the timer for one minute.
7. Yell, “GO!”
8. Players race to the cotton balls and try to get as many as possible to stick to their beard area.
9. Once the round begins, players cannot use their hands to stick cotton balls onto their faces.
10. When time is up, players return to the finish line.
11. Count the cotton balls that are still attached.
12. The player with the most cotton balls wins!

And congratulations.

You now have a room full of people who look like Santa got caught in a snowstorm. 😂

Easy Santa Beard Game Rules

Before you start, explain the rules so everyone knows exactly what counts.

Rule #1: No hands.
Players cannot use their hands to attach cotton balls once the timer starts.

Rule #2: Stay in the beard area.
Cotton balls should stick around the chin, cheeks, and jaw—not all over someone’s forehead just because they’re determined to win.

Rule #3: Only attached cotton balls count.
If Santa loses half his beard on the trip back to the finish line, those cotton balls don’t count.

Rule #4: Stop when the timer ends.
No last-second beard stuffing!

Rule #5: Have fun.
This is a Christmas party game. If everyone is laughing, you’re already winning.

Christmas Party Game Tip

If you have a large group, divide everyone into smaller heats.

For example, let four players compete at a time. The winner of each round advances to a final Santa Beard Championship.

That keeps the game moving and gives everyone else a chance to cheer—or laugh—from the sidelines.

Turn It Into a Christmas Minute to Win It Game

This game is perfect if you’re putting together a night of Minute to Win It Christmas games.

Keep each round to exactly 60 seconds and award points based on the final beard count.

For example:

1st place: 3 points
2nd place: 2 points
3rd place: 1 point

Then combine the scores with your other Christmas games to crown an overall holiday champion.

Need another ridiculously easy challenge? Try this Christmas bow game for kids and families next.

Santa Beard Growing Contest for Teens and Youth Groups

This game can be especially funny with older kids and teens because they’re old enough to understand exactly how ridiculous they look—which somehow makes everyone try even harder to win.

For a youth group Christmas game, divide everyone into teams and have one person from each team compete during each round.

Keep a running score and let the winning team choose a Christmas prize at the end.

You could also award silly titles such as:

• Biggest Santa Beard
• Fluffiest Beard
• Most Creative Beard
• Most Determined Santa
• Funniest Santa
• Best Beard Fail

Sometimes the funniest award is more memorable than the actual winner.

Santa Beard Contest for Adults

Want to make this a funny Christmas party game for adults?

Absolutely.

Use the same rules, but turn it into a tournament.

Pair two adults against each other for each round. Winners advance until only two Santas remain.

Then hold the ultimate Santa Beard Showdown.

For another game that works well with a Christmas crowd, add this Pass the Santa party game to your holiday lineup.

No-Running Version

Don’t have enough space for everyone to race across the room?

No problem.

Put the cotton balls on plates or trays directly in front of the players.

Everyone starts at the same time and tries to build the biggest beard without using their hands.

This version works especially well for:

• Classrooms
• Smaller homes
• Church Christmas parties
• Family gatherings
• Office holiday parties
• Groups with mixed ages or abilities

It gives you the same hilarious results without turning your living room into the North Pole Olympics.

Make It Even Funnier

Once everyone understands the basic game, you can add a few twists.

Try a Santa Beard Relay where teammates take turns competing.

Or have a Best Santa Contest and award bonus points for the funniest Santa laugh after the beard is complete.

You could even add Santa hats and take a group picture of all your newly bearded Santas before everyone cleans up.

Christmas Prize Ideas

You don’t need an expensive prize for this game.

Try something simple like candy, hot cocoa packets, Christmas socks, a small gift card, holiday treats, or a goofy homemade “Best Santa Beard” trophy.

If you’re planning several games, check out these creative ways to hand out party prizes for more ideas.

More Christmas Party Games

Why stop after one game?

Turn your party into a full Christmas game night!

Try the Pass the Bow Party Game for another simple activity using inexpensive Christmas supplies.

You can also check out these Grinch Party Game Ideas if your crew loves silly holiday challenges.

And if you’re looking for another quick competition, this Bow Toss Party Game is another easy Christmas game for kids and adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Santa Beard Growing Contest take?

A basic round takes only 60 seconds, plus a few minutes for setup and cleanup. If you’re playing tournament-style with a large group, plan for several rounds.

What age is the Santa beard game for?

The game can be adapted for kids, teens, and adults. For younger children, remove the running portion and place the cotton balls directly in front of them.

Can you play the Santa beard game without Vaseline?

The cotton balls need something safe and sticky enough to stay in place. If you don’t want to use petroleum jelly, choose a skin-safe alternative appropriate for your players. Avoid using craft adhesives or anything that isn’t intended for skin.

How do you determine the winner?

The easiest method is to count how many cotton balls remain attached when time runs out. You can also give bonus awards for the funniest, fluffiest, or most creative Santa beard.

Is this a good Christmas classroom game?

It can be, especially if you use the stationary version instead of having students run across the classroom. For school, church, or organized group settings, check applicable rules before putting products on children’s skin.

Ready to Grow Some Santa Beards?

If you need an easy Christmas party game that gets people laughing, put the Santa Beard Growing Contest on your holiday list.

The supplies are inexpensive, setup is simple, and you can adapt the game for kids, teens, adults, classrooms, youth groups, or family Christmas parties.

Grab the cotton balls, start the timer, and prepare yourself.

Things are about to get very hairy at the North Pole. 🎅😂

Have fun and Get Your Holiday On!