By Hannah · former primary-school teaching assistant & mum of two · 9 October 2026
Quick answer
20 children’s Christmas party games: snowman freeze, pin the nose on Rudolph, a present-wrapping race, a Christmas treasure hunt and family games for Christmas Day.
Key takeaways
- Great children’s Christmas party games are festive twists on the classics: Christmas pass the parcel, snowman freeze, pin the nose on Rudolph, Santa says and a Christmas treasure hunt.
- Plan 5–7 games for a 2-hour party, with a calm game after food and a treasure or scavenger hunt as the main event.
- Most need only paper, loo roll, music and a few decorations you already have.
- Many work for the whole family on Christmas Day — charades, Who am I?, the present-wrapping race and a family quiz.
Short on time? Our printable Christmas Treasure Hunt makes a ready-made main event for ages 4–9.
In this guide 20 Christmas party games · Games for Christmas Day · Class and school parties · By age · FAQs
20 Christmas Party Games for Kids
- Christmas pass the parcel: Wrap in Christmas paper with a chocolate coin or a cracker joke in every layer.
- Snowman freeze: Musical statues — freeze like a snowman when the music stops.
- Santa says: Simon says with a white beard. “Santa says pat your tummy…”
- Pin the nose on Rudolph: A big reindeer on the wall and a red paper nose. Blindfolds on!
- Reindeer ring toss: A headband with antlers on a willing grown-up; throw paper-plate rings onto the antlers.
- Snowball throw: Scrunched-up paper or cotton-wool ‘snowballs’ into buckets for points.
- Wrap the snowman: Teams wrap one player in loo roll to make a snowman — add a paper hat and scarf.
- Present-wrapping race: Wrap a box wearing oven gloves (or mittens). Hilarious for all ages.
- Guess the present: Feel a wrapped gift and guess what’s inside — a sock, a satsuma, a toy car.
- Christmas Kim’s game: A tray of festive objects — a bauble, a cracker, a candy cane. Cover it, remove one, what’s missing?
- Who am I?: Stick a Christmas character on everyone’s forehead (Rudolph, an elf, the Grinch) and ask yes/no questions.
- Christmas charades: Act out Christmas films, songs and things — Home Alone, Jingle Bells, a Christmas pudding.
- Christmas bingo: Picture bingo cards with trees, stars, presents and robins.
- Musical cushions: Musical chairs with cushions — safer on a living-room floor.
- Elf hunt: Hide toy elves around the room; whoever finds the most wins.
- Christmas scavenger hunt: A tick list of festive things around the house — tinsel, a bauble, a robin.
- Christmas treasure hunt: A clue trail with a story and a treasure — the perfect main event.
- Cracker jokes contest: Read out the cracker jokes; the loudest groan wins.
- Christmas quiz: Easy rounds for little ones, a picture round, and a tricky round for grown-ups.
- Biscuit decorating: A calm finish: decorate gingerbread people or star biscuits.
Hannah’s tested tip: The present-wrapping race in oven gloves is the one my lot ask for every year. Grandad still holds the record — and he still won’t tell us how.
Ready-made lists and clues: our free Christmas scavenger hunt and the Christmas treasure hunt for kids guide.
Christmas Games for the Whole Family
On Christmas Day itself, you want games that work for a four-year-old and Grandma at the same table. These are the reliable ones:
- Charades — Christmas films and songs, teams of mixed ages.
- Who am I? — sticky notes on foreheads.
- Present-wrapping race — oven gloves compulsory.
- Family quiz — one easy round for the children, one fiendish round for the grown-ups.
- A family mystery — for teens and adults after dinner, a murder mystery night at home is a brilliant alternative to the telly.
Christmas Games for Class and School Parties
For a class of 30, choose games where everyone plays at once: snowman freeze, Santa says, Christmas bingo, snowball throw in teams, and a Christmas quiz. Avoid long elimination games — they leave most of the class sitting on the carpet.
Christmas Treasure HuntVisit the elves’ village and outwit grumpy goblin Mumpf. Ages 4–9.View the hunt · £12.99 →
Winter Treasure HuntRescue spring from the Frost King across 8 icy stations. Ages 4–9.View the hunt · £12.99 →Winter in the Forest Treasure HuntHelp Felix the Fox rescue a swallow left behind in the snow. Ages 4–9.View the hunt · £12.99 →
Christmas Party Games by Age
| Age | Best games |
|---|---|
| 3–5 | Snowman freeze, Santa says, Christmas pass the parcel, elf hunt, picture bingo |
| 6–8 | Pin the nose on Rudolph, reindeer ring toss, wrap the snowman, a Christmas treasure hunt |
| 9–12 | Present-wrapping race, Who am I?, charades, Christmas quiz, an escape room or mystery |
More ideas all year round: 40 children’s party games.
Common mistakes (and easy fixes)
- Overexcited children after the sugar: Fix: a calm game (Kim’s game, biscuit decorating) after food.
- Games that need too much kit: Fix: paper, loo roll and music are enough for most of these.
- Leaving out the little ones: Fix: mixed-age teams for Christmas Day games.
- Candles and paper decorations: Fix: battery lights only near party games.
Frequently asked questions
What are good Christmas party games for kids?
Christmas pass the parcel, snowman freeze, Santa says, pin the nose on Rudolph, reindeer ring toss, wrap the snowman, a present-wrapping race and a Christmas treasure hunt.
What Christmas games can the whole family play?
Charades, Who am I?, a present-wrapping race in oven gloves, a family quiz with rounds for every age, and a murder mystery for teens and adults after dinner.
What Christmas games work for a class party?
Games where everyone plays at once: snowman freeze, Santa says, Christmas bingo, a team snowball throw and a Christmas quiz.
How many games do you need for a Christmas party?
Five to seven games for a two-hour party, including a calm game after food and a main event such as a Christmas treasure or scavenger hunt.
What is a good main activity for a children’s Christmas party?
A Christmas treasure hunt with a story and stations. Printable kits include the clues, a map and certificates and take about half an hour to set up.
What Christmas games need no equipment?
Santa says, snowman freeze, charades, Who am I? (with paper and pen) and a Christmas quiz.
Written and play-tested by Hannah — a Yorkshire mum of two and former primary-school teaching assistant. Last reviewed October 2026.
About the author
Hannah is the mum behind Riddlelicious — a former primary-school teaching assistant who tests every printable hunt on her own two before it reaches the shop.
