25+ Joyful Holiday Game Ideas for Kids
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Magic of Holiday Play: More Than Just Fun
- Games for Our Youngest Elves (Toddlers & Preschoolers)
- Festive Fun for Elementary School Stars
- Engaging Activities for Middle Schoolers and Teens
- Outdoor Adventures for a White Christmas (or Not!)
- Beyond the Games: Nurturing Communication Skills All Year Round
- Why Choose Speech Blubs for Your Family? Our Commitment to Joyful Learning
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Picture this: twinkling lights, the comforting scent of gingerbread, and the excited chatter of children anticipating the magic of Christmas. The holiday season is a unique time for family connection, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime. While gifts and festive treats are wonderful, some of the most enduring joy comes from shared experiences, especially through play. Engaging in games is a fantastic way to celebrate together, and it offers so much more than just entertainment. It’s an opportunity to strengthen bonds, spark creativity, and subtly nurture vital developmental skills in our little ones.
Introduction
In the heart of every holiday gathering lies the desire for laughter, connection, and moments that bring everyone closer. This blog post is your ultimate guide to a treasure trove of over 25 delightful Christmas games designed to captivate kids of all ages. From lively group activities that get everyone moving to quieter, creative projects that foster imagination, we’ve curated a collection that promises to infuse your celebrations with extra cheer. But these aren’t just any games; many of them naturally encourage communication, listening skills, and social interaction – foundational elements that are crucial for a child’s overall development. We believe that joyful play is a powerful pathway to unlocking a child’s potential, helping them to find their voice and express themselves confidently. Get ready to transform your holiday season into a celebration of connection, learning, and unforgettable moments through the simple power of play.
The Magic of Holiday Play: More Than Just Fun
The magic of Christmas isn’t just in the decorations; it’s in the moments we share. Play is the universal language of childhood, and during the holidays, it becomes an even more potent tool for connection. When families play together, they build a sense of belonging, create shared narratives, and most importantly, practice essential communication skills in a natural, low-pressure environment. Whether it’s a toddler imitating sounds during a game of “Santa Says” or an older child articulating strategies during a team challenge, every interaction is a stepping stone in their developmental journey. These games become the backdrop for conversations, laughter, problem-solving, and self-expression, fostering not just holiday cheer, but also a love for communicating.
At Speech Blubs, our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts.” Our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems and created the tool they wished they had. We are committed to providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support, blending scientific principles with play into one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences. We provide a screen-free alternative to passive viewing (like cartoons) and a powerful tool for family connection. Many of the games we’ll explore below naturally align with our unique approach of teaching complex communication skills through our “video modeling” methodology, where children learn by watching and imitating their peers. This approach can be beautifully complemented by the interactive engagement these holiday games provide, making every moment an opportunity for growth and connection.
Games for Our Youngest Elves (Toddlers & Preschoolers)
For our littlest ones, Christmas games should be simple, engaging, and focused on sensory exploration, repetition, and basic skill development. These activities are perfect for sparking early communication and building foundational skills in a fun, festive context.
1. Santa Says (A Festive Twist on Simon Says)
How to Play: This classic game gets a holiday makeover! One person acts as “Santa” and gives commands, but children only follow instructions that begin with “Santa says.” For instance, “Santa says touch your red nose,” or “Santa says march like a toy soldier.” If Santa doesn’t say “Santa says,” and a child performs the action, they’re out (or just get a silly shake of Santa’s finger for younger players, keeping the focus on fun!).
Communication Benefits: “Santa Says” is phenomenal for developing listening skills, following multi-step directions, and understanding action verbs. Children also practice imitation, a foundational skill for speech development. For a parent whose 3-year-old is a late talker and struggles with imitating actions, playing this game frequently in short bursts can be incredibly beneficial. It helps children connect words to actions, which is a critical precursor to verbalizing those actions themselves. It also encourages joint attention and sustained listening.
Speech Blubs Connection: This game directly mirrors the early imitation practice found in Speech Blubs. Our app utilizes video modeling, where children watch their peers perform actions or make sounds and then imitate them. This natural, peer-to-peer learning environment is highly effective for encouraging vocalization and action imitation, preparing children for more complex speech. The interactive nature of “Santa Says” provides a fantastic real-world complement to the guided practice found in our app.
2. Christmas Bingo
How to Play: Create or print Bingo cards featuring holiday symbols (e.g., Santa, reindeer, presents, snowflakes, candy canes). For toddlers, use cards with simple, clear pictures. For preschoolers, you can include words alongside pictures. Call out the items, and children mark them off. The first to get a row wins! Use small candies or festive stickers as markers. This game can be adapted for individual play or small groups, making it versatile for any holiday gathering.
Communication Benefits: Christmas Bingo boosts vocabulary acquisition as children learn and repeat the names of holiday-themed items. It enhances picture-word association, crucial for early literacy, and sharpens auditory discrimination (identifying spoken words amidst other sounds). It also teaches valuable social skills like turn-taking, introduces concepts like “row” and “column,” and helps children practice asking for help or celebrating their wins.
3. Sort the Christmas Tree Ornaments
How to Play: Gather a variety of unbreakable plastic ornaments in different colors, sizes, and shapes. Provide different containers (e.g., bowls, small baskets) and ask children to sort the ornaments by color, size, or shape. You can then use the sorted ornaments to decorate a small child-friendly tree, making the activity feel like a meaningful contribution to the holiday decor.
Communication Benefits: This activity is excellent for developing categorization skills, which are crucial for language organization and understanding relationships between objects. It also encourages the use of descriptive words (“red,” “shiny,” “big,” “star-shaped,” “round”) and counting. Parents can ask open-ended questions like, “Which pile has the most?” or “What color is this ornament?” to prompt verbal responses.
4. Holiday I Spy
How to Play: Create a festive scene, either with actual decorations around the house or by drawing one on paper. Then, say “I spy with my little eye something…” and describe an item. For very young children, start with simple attributes like colors (“something red”) or simple object names (“something sparkly”). For preschoolers, you can use more specific attributes, functions, or prepositions (“something that hangs on the tree,” “something next to the fireplace”).
Communication Benefits: “Holiday I Spy” enhances observation skills, expands vocabulary related to Christmas themes, and encourages descriptive language. It promotes asking clarifying questions (“Is it big?” “Is it shiny?”), a key conversational skill, and helps children understand and use adjectives effectively. It’s also great for developing inferential thinking as they use clues to guess the object.
5. Christmas Cookie Decorating (Sensory & Expressive Play)
How to Play: Provide plain sugar cookies (store-bought or homemade), various colored icings, an assortment of sprinkles, and other edible decorations like mini M&Ms or edible glitter. Let children create their own edible masterpieces. It’s less about perfection and more about the process, the sensory experience, and the joy of creation! This can be a wonderful, slightly messy, but deeply engaging activity.
Communication Benefits: This activity encourages rich descriptive language as children talk about colors, shapes, textures, and what they’re adding to their cookies. It also practices sequencing (“First I put the icing, then the sprinkles”) and following simple instructions. The shared experience naturally prompts conversation about their creations, their favorite colors, and even what they imagine their cookies taste like.
These simple, playful games lay crucial foundations for speech and language. For children who are just beginning to vocalize or form words, the encouragement to imitate, describe, and interact is paramount. Speech Blubs offers hundreds of activities that reinforce these early learning concepts through engaging video content. Our “Animal Kingdom” section, for instance, uses video modeling where children watch and imitate peers making animal sounds like “moo” and “baa,” making it a fun and effective complement to real-world sound games and vocabulary building. If you’re wondering if your child could benefit from targeted speech support, take our quick 3-minute preliminary screener to get a simple assessment and a free 7-day trial.
Festive Fun for Elementary School Stars
As children grow, their games can become more complex, incorporating teamwork, problem-solving, and more nuanced communication. These activities are perfect for elementary-aged children who are developing social skills and more intricate language abilities.
6. Snowball Race (Cotton Ball Transfer)
How to Play: Divide children into teams. Give each child a plastic spoon and a cotton ball (their “snowball”). The goal is to transfer the cotton ball from one designated spot to another using only the spoon, without using hands. Teams can race relay-style, passing the “snowball” from one spoon to another, or individual players can race against the clock.
Communication Benefits: This game encourages teamwork, giving and receiving simple instructions, and positive encouragement among peers (“Go, go, go!” “You can do it!”). It also builds fine motor skills crucial for pre-writing and overall coordination, and players might naturally discuss strategies or cheer each other on, fostering cooperative communication.
7. Pin the Nose on Rudolph / Pin the Star on the Tree
How to Play: Draw or print a large reindeer face (without a nose) or a Christmas tree (without a star) and attach it to a wall. Blindfold players, spin them gently a few times to disorient them, and have them try to pin a red pom-pom (for Rudolph’s nose) or a paper star in the correct spot. You can even use sticky bows for the nose for an easy, no-pin version.
Communication Benefits: This game involves spatial awareness (“up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “higher,” “lower”) and following verbal cues from others. It’s a great opportunity for players to describe their actions and for teammates to give clear, concise directions, enhancing their expressive and receptive language skills. It also teaches how to cope with frustration and celebrate small victories.
8. Christmas Charades
How to Play: Write down various holiday-themed words or phrases on slips of paper (e.g., “decorate the Christmas tree,” “singing carols,” “Santa Claus eating cookies,” “building a snowman”). Divide into teams. One player picks a slip and acts out the phrase without speaking, while their team tries to guess. Set a timer for each round.
Communication Benefits: Christmas Charades is fantastic for developing non-verbal communication skills, expressive language (when guessing), and interpreting body language. It expands vocabulary related to holiday concepts and encourages creative thinking and problem-solving through pantomime. It also promotes active listening as teammates interpret clues.
9. Holiday Story Starters
How to Play: Prepare a series of holiday-themed sentence starters (e.g., “One snowy Christmas Eve, a tiny elf named Jingles…” or “The gingerbread man suddenly came to life when…”). Children take turns picking a starter and continuing the story for a few sentences. You can go around the circle, adding to the same story, or let each child create their own mini-story.
Communication Benefits: This game is wonderful for fostering creative storytelling, expanding vocabulary, and practicing narrative structure. It encourages imaginative thinking and helps children articulate their ideas in a coherent sequence. It’s also an excellent way to practice listening to others’ contributions and building upon them.
10. Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Create a list of specific things to find on a Christmas light display, either in your neighborhood or a designated area. Examples include: “a blue light,” “a Santa,” “a reindeer,” “a star,” “a house with flashing lights,” “something sparkly.” Provide clipboards and pencils for children to check off items as they find them.
Communication Benefits: This activity encourages observation, following multi-step directions, and descriptive language as children point out and name what they see. It can also spark conversations about preferences (“Which light display is your favorite and why?”), building descriptive and comparative language skills.
11. Gift Wrapping Race
How to Play: Set up a table with gift wrapping supplies (various sized boxes, wrapping paper, tape, scissors). Challenge players to wrap awkwardly shaped or irregularly sized gifts as quickly and neatly as possible. You can assign points for speed and neatness, or for creative solutions to challenging shapes.
Communication Benefits: This game is great for practicing following instructions, sequencing (the steps of wrapping), and giving verbal descriptions of actions. Children might also engage in collaborative problem-solving if played in teams, discussing the best way to tackle a tricky gift shape, enhancing their negotiation and articulation skills.
12. Candy Cane Relay
How to Play: Divide participants into two teams. The starting team member of each team is given a single candy cane. At the opposite end of the table or room, there is a cup of more candy canes. The starting team member must run to the cup and, using only their mouth (no hands!), fish out another candy cane. They then carefully transport it, still in their mouth, back to the next team member, who takes it with their mouth. The first team to finish their relay wins.
Communication Benefits: This competitive and fast-paced game builds fine motor control and concentration. It encourages teamwork and non-verbal communication through careful movements. When a candy cane drops, it also provides an opportunity for children to express frustration appropriately and learn resilience, or to offer encouragement to their teammates.
For parents seeking to reinforce these vital communication and social skills, Speech Blubs offers a dynamic and engaging platform. Our app utilizes the power of video modeling, allowing children to learn from their peers, which is a highly effective way to build confidence in speaking. Our method is backed by science, placing us in the top tier of speech apps worldwide. You can explore our research page to learn more about the scientific methodology behind Speech Blubs.
Engaging Activities for Middle Schoolers and Teens
The holiday season is also a fantastic opportunity to engage older children and teens in activities that encourage deeper critical thinking, creative expression, and more complex social interaction.
13. Holiday “Would You Rather?”
How to Play: Create a list of festive “would you rather” questions (e.g., “Would you rather have a never-ending supply of hot cocoa or gingerbread cookies?” “Would you rather spend Christmas in a snowy cabin or on a sunny beach?”). Players take turns answering and explaining their choices, fostering lively discussion.
Communication Benefits: This game encourages articulate decision-making, the ability to justify one’s preferences, and active listening. It promotes expressive language as teens elaborate on their reasoning and practice respectful debate and perspective-taking. It’s a great way to spark meaningful conversations beyond surface-level chatter.
14. Christmas Movie Trivia
How to Play: Compile questions about popular holiday movies, from classics like “Elf” to “Home Alone” or “A Christmas Story.” Divide into teams or play individually. Questions can range from character names to iconic quotes or plot details.
Communication Benefits: Christmas Movie Trivia enhances memory recall and information retrieval. It encourages verbal expression and quick thinking under friendly pressure. Teams must communicate effectively to decide on answers, practicing consensus-building and clear articulation of their thoughts.
15. DIY Holiday Escape Room
How to Play: Design a simple, holiday-themed escape room in a room of your house. Create a series of riddles, puzzles, and hidden clues related to Christmas (e.g., a puzzle that spells out a holiday word, a hidden key beneath a decoration, a coded message that reveals the location of the next clue). The goal is to solve all puzzles to “escape” or find a “treasure” within a time limit.
Communication Benefits: This highly engaging activity promotes intensive problem-solving, collaborative communication, and strategic planning. Teens must articulate their observations, share ideas, negotiate approaches, and clearly explain their reasoning to their teammates, building strong verbal and non-verbal collaboration skills.
16. “Two Truths and a Lie: Holiday Edition”
How to Play: Each player shares three holiday-related statements about themselves or holiday traditions – two true and one false. The other players must guess which statement is the lie. For example, “I once met Santa at the mall,” “My family eats pizza on Christmas Eve,” “I secretly peeked at my presents last year.”
Communication Benefits: This game develops critical listening skills, the ability to discern truth from falsehood, and persuasive speaking (as players try to convince others their lie is true). It encourages clear articulation and provides a fun way for family members to share personal anecdotes and learn more about each other.
17. Holiday Photo Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Provide teams with a list of creative holiday-themed photos to capture (e.g., “someone wearing a ridiculous Christmas sweater,” “a candid shot of someone opening a gift,” “the most festive decoration on your block,” “a pose recreating a classic holiday movie scene”). Teams use their phones to take pictures and return to share their findings.
Communication Benefits: This activity fosters teamwork, creative direction, and descriptive captions for their photos. Teens must negotiate roles, plan their shots, and then articulate the story or humor behind each image, strengthening their narrative and descriptive language skills. It also encourages playful self-expression and interaction with their environment.
These activities for older children go beyond basic language skills, encouraging complex thought and sophisticated communication. No matter the age, fostering a love for communication is key. To ensure consistent support for your child’s speech development, remember that resources like Speech Blubs can provide valuable daily practice. Download Speech Blubs on the App Store or get it on Google Play to explore how our engaging activities can complement your family’s communication journey.
Outdoor Adventures for a White Christmas (or Not!)
Even if you don’t have a blanket of snow, you can still embrace the outdoors during the holidays with games that promote gross motor skills and descriptive language about the environment.
18. Snowman Building Contest (or “Snow” Creature)
How to Play: If you have snow, divide into teams and challenge them to build the most creative snowman or snow creature. Provide props like hats, scarves, carrots for noses, and buttons. If snow isn’t an option, use white blankets or pillows indoors, or even create “snowmen” from toilet paper rolls or cotton balls in a craft contest.
Communication Benefits: This activity encourages negotiation, descriptive details, and collaborative planning within teams. Children must articulate their vision, discuss strategies, and describe the features of their creation. It’s an excellent opportunity to use comparative language (“ours is taller,” “yours has a funnier nose”).
19. Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Create a list of natural items to find outdoors that relate to winter or the holidays (e.g., “a red berry,” “a pinecone,” “a bare branch,” “something sparkly like frost,” “a feather”). Provide children with a bag or basket to collect their treasures and a checklist.
Communication Benefits: This game enhances observation skills and expands vocabulary related to nature and seasonal changes. It encourages descriptive language as children identify and describe their findings, and promotes sensory descriptions (“What does the pinecone feel like?” “What color are these berries?”). It also provides a wonderful opportunity for shared exploration and conversation about the natural world.
Beyond the Games: Nurturing Communication Skills All Year Round
While these holiday games provide wonderful, concentrated opportunities for communication and connection, fostering a child’s ability to speak their minds and hearts is a continuous journey. The joy and learning from these festive activities can extend far beyond the holiday season. The principles of imitation, description, storytelling, and social interaction are integral to a child’s ongoing development.
At Speech Blubs, we believe in creating a supportive environment for learning that makes speech development a fun, daily habit. Our “smart screen time” approach transforms passive viewing into active learning, offering an effective alternative to endless cartoons. We are a powerful tool for family connection, designed to be used with active adult participation, turning screen time into quality bonding time. By integrating short, engaging sessions with Speech Blubs into your child’s routine, you can continue to build upon the communication skills practiced during holiday games, providing consistent support for their language journey.
Why Choose Speech Blubs for Your Family? Our Commitment to Joyful Learning
At Speech Blubs, we are deeply committed to making speech therapy accessible, effective, and most importantly, joyful. Our mission is personal, born from the experiences of our founders who faced their own speech challenges and built the very tool they wished they had as children. We’ve poured this passion into creating a solution that blends scientific principles with play, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop the confidence to “speak their minds and hearts.”
Our unique video modeling methodology is at the core of our approach. Children learn by watching and imitating their peers – a powerful, natural way to acquire new sounds and words. This isn’t just about making sounds; it’s about fostering a love for communication, building confidence, reducing frustration, and developing key foundational skills. We provide realistic expectations, focusing on the benefits of the process and celebrating every small step your child makes. Speech Blubs is a powerful supplement to your child’s overall development plan and, when applicable, professional therapy, creating joyful family learning moments. See what other parents are saying about the positive impact Speech Blubs has had on their children’s lives.
When considering Speech Blubs, we want to be fully transparent about our pricing and value, ensuring you make the best choice for your family.
- Monthly Plan: At $14.99 per month, this option offers flexibility.
- Yearly Plan: Our most popular and highly recommended choice is the Yearly plan, priced at $59.99 per year. This breaks down to just $4.99 per month, allowing you to save 66% compared to the monthly subscription.
The Yearly plan isn’t just cheaper; it offers a superior value with exclusive, high-value features designed to enhance your child’s learning experience:
- 7-Day Free Trial: Only with the Yearly plan can you access a full 7-day free trial to experience everything Speech Blubs has to offer before committing.
- The Extra Reading Blubs App: Gain full access to our companion Reading Blubs app, providing even more educational content.
- Early Access to New Updates: Be among the first to explore new features and content.
- 24-Hour Support Response Time: Receive priority support when you need it most.
The Monthly plan does not include these invaluable benefits. For the best value, the most comprehensive features, and the chance to try it completely free for a week, we strongly encourage you to choose the Yearly plan.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a precious time, brimming with opportunities to create lasting memories and foster essential developmental skills through the joy of play. From simple imitation games for toddlers to complex strategic challenges for teens, these 25+ holiday game ideas for kids are designed to bring laughter, connection, and a deeper sense of family togetherness. More than just entertainment, these activities are powerful tools for nurturing communication, building confidence, and encouraging self-expression in a fun, natural environment. Every shared giggle, every collaborated solution, and every story told contributes significantly to your child’s journey of learning to speak their minds and hearts.
As you plan your festive celebrations, remember that the spirit of playful learning can extend beyond the holidays. Speech Blubs is here to support your child’s communication development all year long, offering a unique blend of scientific methodology and engaging, interactive experiences. Ready to bring more joyful learning and confident communication into your family’s life? Don’t miss out on the incredible value and exclusive features of our Yearly plan, including a 7-day free trial. We encourage you to create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today and select the Yearly plan to unlock the full suite of benefits, including the Reading Blubs app and priority support. You can also download Speech Blubs today on the App Store or Google Play to start your journey towards clearer, more confident communication!
FAQ
Q1: How can I adapt these holiday games for children with different developmental needs?
A1: Many of these games are highly adaptable. For younger children or those with speech delays, focus on simplifying rules, using visual aids (pictures for Bingo), emphasizing imitation, and providing more direct verbal prompts and encouragement. For instance, in “Santa Says,” accept actions without requiring verbalization initially, gradually adding sound or word requirements. The key is to celebrate participation and small successes, keeping the atmosphere supportive and fun.
Q2: What if my child is shy and doesn’t want to participate in group games?
A2: It’s perfectly normal for some children to be hesitant. Don’t force participation. Instead, start with one-on-one versions of games or invite them to observe. Games like “Holiday I Spy” or “Christmas Cookie Decorating” can be less intimidating. Model enthusiasm yourself, and praise any small attempt at engagement. Over time, as they see others having fun and feel more comfortable, they may join in. Remember, even observing is a form of learning and engagement.
Q3: How do these games specifically help with speech and language development?
A3: These games enhance speech and language by providing natural opportunities for:
- Vocabulary Expansion: Learning new holiday-themed words.
- Listening Skills: Following directions and understanding instructions.
- Expressive Language: Describing, explaining, storytelling, and articulating thoughts.
- Social Communication: Turn-taking, asking questions, responding to others, and negotiating.
- Imitation: Copying actions and sounds, crucial for early speech.
- Cognitive Skills: Problem-solving, categorization, and memory, which underpin language. By making these practices fun and interactive, children are motivated to communicate.
Q4: How does Speech Blubs integrate with playing these physical holiday games?
A4: Speech Blubs acts as a consistent supplement and reinforcement to the communication skills practiced during physical games. While holiday games provide real-world interaction, Speech Blubs offers structured, engaging “smart screen time” that focuses on specific speech sounds, words, and concepts through video modeling. For example, if a game involves animal sounds, Speech Blubs has dedicated “Animal Kingdom” sections where children can practice those sounds with peer models. The app helps build the foundational skills and confidence that children can then bring to their interactions during family game time, creating a holistic approach to speech development.