Kids Decorating Windows For Christmas

Although everyone loves Christmas, it is really a holiday designed for kids. And nothing makes the holiday more fun than Christmas games and activities designed specifically for them. We have some old favorite kid games with a Christmas twist, some new popular Christmas games, and some time-consuming activities for to keep the kids entertained for a longer time. Choose from our Christmas Party Games, Fun Christmas Games, or Christmas Activities for kids.

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Table of Contents

1 Christmas Party Games for Kids
- 1.1 Stack the Gifts
- 1.2 Stocking Guessing Game
- 1.3 Pin the Nose on the Snowman
- 1.4 Candy Cane Hunt
- 1.5 Snow Blower Game
- 1.6 Ringing Bells Memory Game
- 1.7 Christmas Musical Chair Games
2 Fun Christmas Games for Kids
- 2.1 Jingle Bell Tossing
- 2.2 Santa Says
- 2.3 Snowball Relay Race
- 2.4 That Present Is Mine!
3 Christmas Activities for Kids
- 3.1 Decorate Christmas Cookies
- 3.2 Snow Art
- 3.3 Christmas Balloon Tennis
- 3.4 Christmas Maze
- 3.5 Some Quick and Easy Christmas Activities
- 3.6 Related Posts

Christmas Party Games for Kids

Christmas parties for kids are more fun with games. Choose one or more of the following for a fun time.

Stack the Gifts

All you need for this fun game is several wrapped packages of various sizes. Try stacking them yourself to make sure the challenge is difficult but possible. You can play this game in teams or pairs if you wish. The goal is to see how many gifts kids can stack before the pile topples. The highest pile with the most gifts wins this game.

Stocking Guessing Game

Fill a stocking with small toys and Christmas items, for example, a candy cane, bell, small car, or pinecone. Let the kids feel the stocking and try to identify the contents. The child with the most correct guesses is the winner.

Pin the Nose on the Snowman

Use white paper to make the outline of a snowman. Provide eyes, a mouth, and a black top hat for your snowman. Cut orange-colored "carrot" noses for the kids to attempt to attach to the face of the snowman. Adhere a piece of double-sided tape to each nose.

Candy Cane Hunt

Hide candy canes and let the kids look for them. If you wish, you can also use individually wrapped Christmas candy. For added fun, include a few toys. Prior to the hunt, let the kids decorate brown sandwich bags with markers and Christmas stickers. They can use these bags to take their party treats home.

Snow Blower Game

This simply game works for even the youngest kids. All you need is a few cotton balls and a colorful drinking straw for each child. Draw a finish line on a large piece of paper or tape one on a tabletop. The goal is to move a cotton ball across the finish line first by blowing through the straw. Older children will enjoy a team version, where you keep points for the winner for paired kids. The team with the most points wins.

Ringing Bells Memory Game

A fun version of the kids' favorite Memory game, use individually wrapped Hershey Kisses candies. Adhere dot stickers to the bottom and write matching number pairs with a sharpie or pen on the stickers. Kids turn over the candies and try to remember their location so they can make matched pairs. The number of candies used is dependent on the age and maturity of the kids playing.

Christmas Musical Chair Games

We have three versions of this old favorite that kids will love. Base your choice upon the age and maturity level of the kids, as well as the time you have for preparation.

Traditional Musical Chairs. Simply add Christmas music and play the traditional game with one missing chair. Each time the music stops, the kid without a seat is out.
Pass the Present. While Christmas music is playing, a wrapped gift is passed around the circle. When the music stops, whoever is left holding the package is out.
Christmas Ornament Musical Chairs. Cut ornament shapes from bright colored construction paper. Have the children walk while the music is playing and when the music stops, each must stand on an ornament cutout. Whoever cannot find one to stand on is out.

In all three versions, the kid who is left at end of the game is the winner.

Fun Christmas Games for Kids

Kid-friendly Christmas games entertain kids at parties and at home during the Christmas holiday. Make sure your games are appropriate for the age and maturity level of the kids playing. Explain how to play, making sure the kids know and follow the directions and rules. You may wish to demonstrate how the game is played for younger children. Also, make sure everyone participates.

Jingle Bell Tossing

Adhere ten plastic cups in a "bowling pin" triangle on a heavy piece of cardboard with hot glue. Provide small jingle bells purchased at the dollar store for kids to toss into the cups. For older children, let them play in teams or pairs. Whoever gets the most jingle bells in the cup wins.

Santa Says

A variation on the kid's favorite Simon Says, have an adult serve as Santa for the first round to show the kids how to play. Give directions such as:

Santa says, touch your toes.
Santa says, jump on one leg.
Santa says, run in place.

Then give a command without saying, "Santa says . . ." If one player follows the command, they are the next to be Santa. Continue until all the kids have had a turn.

Snowball Relay Race

The goal in this fun relay race is to move snowballs (cotton balls) from one side of the room to another with a plastic spoon. Divide the kids into two teams. The first person on each team uses a plastic spoon to transfer cotton balls from a full bucket on one side of the room to an empty bucket on the other side. Then they must run back to their team's line and hand the spoon to the next person on their team. If a cotton ball falls off the spoon and onto the floor, it must be left on the floor. At the end of the game, count the cotton balls in the buckets. The team with the most snowballs wins the race.

That Present Is Mine!

Have each kid bring a used toy wrapped as a Christmas gift. After the children sit in a circle, randomly choose a kid to start this game by picking out a present for themselves. They unwrap the gift, and the next child has the option of taking the gift already opened or choose one from the other wrapped presents. The fun comes when there is one toy everyone wants and one nobody wants. Everyone ends up a gift, although not necessarily one they want!

Christmas Activities for Kids

When the kids are out of school for the holidays, they can reach the point where they get on your nerves and begin to say, "I'm bored!" Choose one of our Christmas activities for kids to pass the time. Christmas activities are not only fun, but can teach children important lessons and skills, such as how to care about others. We have chosen activities for both large and small groups. Some can be done at home and some involve a car trip. Whatever activity you choose, fun is guaranteed!

Decorate Christmas Cookies

Decorating Christmas cookies to eat or share with others – and, of course, eat a few yourself – is a wonderful Christmas holiday activity. Allow at least four to five cookies for each kid. Provide some sugar sprinkles and other Christmas cookie decorating toppings. Coconut makes a great beard for Santa and chocolate dots work for eyes. You can double or triple the following cookie and icing recipes if you have a large group. Put sheets of parchment paper on cookie sheets for decorated cookies so the icing can set. Make sure you make your cookies ahead of time so they will be cool for decorating.

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Next, stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover and chill dough for at least one hour. When the cookie dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out the dough on floured surface, ¼ to ½ inch thick, depending upon the size and depth of your cookie cutters. Cut the cookies and place them about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake six to eight minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons milk

2 teaspoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

Food coloring

Directions:

In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond or vanilla extract until icing is smooth and glossy. Add a bit more corn syrup if icing is too thick. Divide into small bowls. Add food coloring to each bowl. The icing can be applied in one of several ways, depending upon the age and skill level of the kids doing the decorating.

Dip half the cookies in icing.
Spread the icing on with a knife or back of a spoon.
Paint the icing on with a brush.

Snow Art

You will need a snowy day for this activity. Before the kids participate in this activity, smooth a large area of snow. Make sure they dress warmly as they will want to continue with this activity for a long time. All you need to do is fill dollar store spray bottles with water and food die. Encourage the kids to mix colors to make snow art messages, drawings, and abstract designs. Gel food dye gives a more vibrant color.

Christmas Balloon Tennis

Even the youngest kids will love this game, although it is challenging enough for pre-teens. Blow up red and green balloons. Attach tongue depressors to Christmas themed paper plates. The kids hit the blown-up balloons attempting to cross a finish line. You can use masking tape on the floor for the finish line. This makes an excellent team game for a larger group.

Christmas Maze

Try beginning a party with a yarn Christmas maze. Purchase small balls of several different colors. Attach one end of the yarn to a pencil and then string the yarn around the room, going under, over, around, and through furniture. Cut the string and begin again with another pencil, making sure the yarn crosses the first yarn several times. Repeat this process until you have one string for each child. When the children arrive, hand them a pencil, and instruct them to wind the string up while following it. Fun is guaranteed.

Some Quick and Easy Christmas Activities

Christmas Movie Theater. Choose a Christmas favorite or classic movie, serve popcorn and apple cider, for a good way to spend a few hours.
Repurposed Christmas Cards. Provide construction paper, decals, markers, and old Christmas cards to make original Christmas greetings for friends and family.
Visit a Nursing Home. Load up the kids and visit a local nursing home to spread some Christmas cheer. Contact the facility first for hours, visitor guidelines, and to see if there are any special needs you may be able to meet inexpensively.
Christmas Light Tour. Another fun evening car trip that takes a while and will get younger kids ready to sleep is a trip through local area neighborhoods known for their Christmas lights.
Christmas Caroling. No car is needed for an evening walk around the neighborhood singing Christmas songs with the kids.
Write Letters to Santa. Younger children will love writing a letter to Santa. You can do so at a party and provide the letters to parents so that they can meet their kid's desires.

The best kids' Christmas games keep kids busy while providing fun. If you use our kid Christmas games for a party, hand out a small bag of goodies to each child as they leave, so that those who do not win candy or prizes while playing games have something to take home with them. Choose one of our time-consuming kid Christmas activities, a shorter but active Christmas game, or pick an activity from our list of Quick and Easy Christmas Activities. Whatever you choose, Christmas will be more fun and memorable!

Susan Mann

Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona State University and earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.

Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines, neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and numerous other projects.

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