Easy, festive games that get kids moving at holiday parties, family gatherings and school events, with no special equipment.
Holiday parties are full of treats, crafts and excitement. Kids often have energy to burn, and adults often need a plan. Active holiday games give kids a fun way to move, laugh and play together, whether at home, a family gathering, a classroom party or a community event.
Here are easy, festive games that require little equipment and work for a range of ages.
Tips for successful games
- Clear a safe space and remove breakables
- Explain rules simply
- Keep games short
- Focus on fun, not winning
- Adapt for ages and abilities
- Have water available
- Include breaks
Reindeer races
Kids pretend to be reindeer and race in different ways: galloping, hopping, skipping or prancing. Set a start and finish line. Change the movement each round. For younger kids, skip winners and celebrate everyone crossing the line.
Santa says
A holiday version of Simon Says. “Santa says jump like a reindeer.” “Santa says spin like a snowflake.” If the instruction does not begin with “Santa says,” players should not move. Keep it silly and fast.
Snowball toss
Use rolled socks, soft balls or crumpled paper as snowballs. Kids toss them into buckets or boxes at different distances. Or play a gentle snowball battle with soft objects and clear rules.
Elf relay
Create relay stations:
- Run to a box and put on a festive hat
- Hop to a station and wrap a small box loosely
- Carry a “present” back to the team
Teams cheer each other on. Adapt stations for younger kids.
Freeze dance holiday edition
Play holiday music. Kids dance and freeze when the music stops. Add poses: freeze like a snowman, a reindeer or an elf. Great for indoor parties.
Pin the nose on the reindeer
A twist on a classic party game. Draw a reindeer on paper. Kids take turns placing a red nose while blindfolded or with eyes closed. Add movement by having kids spin or hop to the poster.
Candy cane hunt
Hide paper candy canes around a room or yard. Kids search and collect them. Use paper versions to avoid too much candy, or let kids trade paper canes for small prizes.
Holiday obstacle course
Set up stations:
- Crawl under a “sleigh” table
- Jump over pillow “snowbanks”
- Weave between chairs like trees
- Balance on a tape line “rooftop”
- Deliver a present to a box
Time each child or let them repeat for fun.
Snowman bowling
Decorate plastic cups or empty bottles as snowmen. Kids roll a ball to knock them down. Simple and fun for little ones.
Musical presents
Like musical chairs but with wrapped boxes. Place boxes in a circle. Kids walk around while music plays. When it stops, they grab a box. Remove one box each round or keep everyone in for younger kids.
North Pole tag
Choose one player as “Jack Frost.” Tagged players freeze. Other players unfreeze them by giving a high five. Switch roles often.
Gingerbread person says
Kids move like gingerbread cookies: run, stop, jump, wiggle. A leader calls out actions. Add funny commands like “crumble to the floor” and “bake in the oven” (sit very still).
Adapting for ages
Preschoolers: simple instructions, short games, lots of praise.
Elementary kids: relays, races and team games.
Tweens: challenges, leadership roles and creativity.
Mixed ages: pair older kids with younger ones as helpers.
Inclusive play
Make sure every child can participate. Offer alternatives for kids with mobility differences, sensory sensitivities or other needs. Let kids choose roles, like DJ, referee or cheerleader. Keep competition friendly.
Classroom party tips
- Coordinate with teachers
- Plan for limited space
- Prepare materials in advance
- Keep noise levels manageable
- Have quieter games for calming down
Prizes and rewards
Choose small, non-food prizes like stickers, certificates, pencils or small toys. Or skip prizes and celebrate with applause and high fives.
Sample party plan
- Warm-up: freeze dance
- Reindeer races
- Snowball toss
- Elf relay
- Calm-down: story or craft
More games for bigger spaces
If you have a backyard, park or gym available, try larger games:
- Sleigh pull relay: one child sits on a blanket or cardboard “sleigh” while teammates gently pull them across a smooth surface. Use caution and supervise closely.
- Reindeer games tournament: a series of mini-games, like hopping races, toss challenges and balance walks, with teams earning points.
- Capture the snowflake: a holiday version of capture the flag, using paper snowflakes or ornaments as flags.
- Holiday kickball: play kickball with a festive twist, like singing a carol when someone reaches home base.
Larger games are perfect for family gatherings with many kids and adults.
Calm-down games
After active games, kids may need help settling down. Try calm games:
- Snowflake breathing: breathe in slowly, imagine catching a snowflake, then breathe out gently
- Melting snowman: stand tall like a snowman, then slowly melt to the floor
- Quiet reindeer: who can be the quietest, stillest reindeer?
- Holiday story circle: kids take turns adding a sentence to a story
Alternating active and calm games keeps energy manageable and helps prevent meltdowns.
Planning ahead
Before a party, prepare a short list of games, gather materials and set up spaces. Have a few extra games ready in case some do not work. Keep instructions short and demonstrate when possible. Assign an adult to manage music or timing. Preparation makes games run smoothly and lets adults enjoy the fun too.
Making memories
Take photos or short videos of games, with permission from families. Kids love looking back at themselves in silly costumes and races. Some families keep a holiday games tradition, playing the same favorite games every year. Over time, kids look forward to their family’s version of the reindeer games.
Games for small spaces
Apartments and small homes can still host active games. Choose activities that move in place rather than across a room: freeze dance, Santa says, balancing challenges, animal poses, sock-ball tosses into a basket and gentle stretching games. Move furniture against walls, use soft items for throwing and keep games short. Even a few minutes of movement can help kids release energy during a long indoor gathering.
Including adults
Kids love it when adults join their games. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles can play reindeer races, freeze dance or relays. Adult participation adds laughter and shows kids that movement is fun at every age. It also gives adults a chance to move during a season full of sitting.
Questions about holiday games
How many games should I plan for a party?
For a two-hour party, plan four to six games, alternating active and calm options. Have a couple of backups.
What age are these games for?
Most work for ages three to ten with adaptations. Older kids can lead or referee games.
How do I handle kids who get upset about losing?
Focus on fun, celebrate effort, rotate teams and include games without winners. Model good sportsmanship.
Do I need special equipment?
No. Socks, pillows, paper, cups and music are enough for most games.
How can I keep games safe?
Clear the space, supervise closely, use soft items for throwing and set clear rules about pushing and running.
Making your own games
Kids are wonderful game designers. Invite them to invent a new holiday game: give them a few materials, such as socks, paper plates and tape, and a theme, like “help Santa deliver presents.” Let them create the rules, test the game and teach it to everyone else. Kids take great pride in seeing others play a game they made, and their inventions are often hilarious. Some families keep a notebook of homemade games and add a new one every year, building a collection of reindeer games that belongs entirely to them.
Key takeaways
Active holiday games help kids burn energy, laugh and connect at parties, family gatherings and classrooms. Clear a safe space, keep rules simple and games short, and focus on fun rather than winning. Choose from classics with a holiday twist, like reindeer races, Santa says, snowball toss, elf relays, freeze dance and holiday obstacle courses. Use larger games for big spaces and in-place games for apartments.
Alternate active and calm games, adapt for every age and ability, invite adults to join and use small non-food prizes or simple applause. Most of all, notice and celebrate each child’s moment to shine.
A sample family gathering plan
For a family gathering with kids of mixed ages, try this sequence: start with freeze dance while guests arrive, move outside for reindeer races and a snowball toss, then run an elf relay with mixed-age teams so older kids help younger ones. Come back inside for a calm snowflake breathing game and a holiday story circle. Finish with a quick round of Santa says before dessert. The whole plan takes about an hour and gives adults time to visit while kids have a blast.
Celebrating kids
Games give kids chances to shine: the shy child who leads a relay, the youngest who finishes the obstacle course, the kid who cheers everyone on. Notice and celebrate these moments.
That kind of recognition is the heart of the season, and it is exactly what makes a personalized letter from Santa so special for kids.
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