Festive DIY Christmas Games for Kids & Family Fun
Table of Contents
- The Enduring Magic of DIY Christmas Games
- Getting Started: Essential Supplies & Prep for Festive Fun
- Easy & Engaging DIY Christmas Games for Little Elves (Preschool & Early Elementary)
- Creative & Collaborative DIY Games for Growing Gangs (Elementary & Middle School)
- High-Energy & Hilarious DIY Games for Jolly Families (All Ages)
- Enhancing Communication with Speech Blubs: A Year-Round Companion
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
The holiday season often feels like a whirlwind of activities – shopping lists, baking marathons, and a flurry of festive preparations. Amidst the cheerful chaos, it’s easy for the true magic of Christmas – connection, laughter, and shared moments – to get lost. But what if we told you there’s a simple, joyful way to bring your family closer, spark delight in your children, and even foster essential communication skills, all without breaking the bank or adding more stress? We’re talking about embracing the charm of do-it-yourself (DIY) kids’ Christmas games!
This post is your ultimate guide to creating memorable, engaging, and remarkably easy Christmas games using everyday items. We’ll explore a treasure trove of festive activities designed to entertain children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, and bring everyone together for moments of pure holiday cheer. Beyond just fun, these games are incredible opportunities to encourage vital developmental milestones, from fine motor skills and problem-solving to, most importantly, communication and social interaction. So, put down your gift-wrapping for a moment, gather your little elves, and prepare to discover how simple DIY games can transform your holiday season into a heartwarming celebration of family, laughter, and connection.
The Enduring Magic of DIY Christmas Games
In an era of elaborate toys and high-tech gadgets, there’s an undeniable, often overlooked, magic in simplicity. DIY Christmas games tap into this magic, offering a refreshing return to hands-on play and genuine interaction. They are not just about saving money; they’re about investing in experiences, fostering creativity, and building traditions that your family will cherish for years to come.
Why Choose DIY for Your Holiday Celebrations?
- Cost-Effectiveness: The beauty of DIY lies in using what you already have or inexpensive items easily found at local stores. This approach not only saves your already-stretched Christmas budget but also teaches children resourcefulness.
- Personal Touch & Creativity: When you create a game together, it becomes uniquely yours. Decorating simple supplies, inventing new rules, or adapting games to fit your family’s interests fosters a sense of ownership and boundless creativity.
- Encouraging Active Participation: Unlike passive entertainment, DIY games demand engagement. Children are active participants in setting up, playing, and even inventing, leading to deeper involvement and enjoyment.
- Fostering Essential Skills: Beyond the fun, these games are powerful tools for development. They naturally encourage:
- Fine and Gross Motor Skills: From stacking candy bells to wiggling a gingerbread cookie from forehead to mouth, children refine their dexterity and coordination.
- Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Figuring out how to build the tallest cup tree or strategizing in a scavenger hunt hones their cognitive abilities.
- Social-Emotional Development: Taking turns, celebrating wins, handling losses gracefully, and working as a team are invaluable life lessons learned through play.
- Language & Communication: This is where the magic truly shines. Describing actions, giving instructions, expressing excitement, and negotiating turns are all inherent parts of playing games. At Speech Blubs, we believe in empowering children to “speak their minds and hearts,” and these shared experiences are a wonderful natural environment for that to blossom. 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—a tool to make communication joyful and accessible.
Beyond the Screen: Connecting Through Play
While we champion “smart screen time” at Speech Blubs, we also deeply value screen-free alternatives that encourage family connection. These DIY games offer a powerful opportunity to step away from passive viewing and create interactive memories. They allow for genuine face-to-face interaction, a crucial component for communication development.
Getting Started: Essential Supplies & Prep for Festive Fun
One of the best things about DIY Christmas games is how little preparation they require. You don’t need fancy equipment or hours of crafting. Often, a quick rummage through your pantry, craft drawer, or a single trip to a dollar store is all it takes.
Your Go-To DIY Christmas Game Toolkit:
- Edibles for Fun & Reward:
- Small gingerbread cookies
- Candy canes (lots of them!)
- Hershey’s Kisses or other bell-shaped candies
- Marshmallows (mini and regular)
- Whipped cream in a can
- Small snack foods (for “tasting” games)
- Everyday Household Items:
- Paper plates (or reusable ones)
- Plastic cups (red ones add a festive touch!)
- Saran wrap
- Toilet paper rolls or full rolls
- Balloons (green for Grinch, white for snowmen)
- Soda bottles (empty, for bowling pins)
- Cotton balls (your “snowballs”)
- Spindly objects (rulers, pencils, small sticks)
- Large plastic bowls or buckets
- Sticky notes
- Blindfolds (scarves or eye masks)
- A timer (your phone works perfectly!)
- Simple Craft Supplies:
- Poster board or large cardboard
- Construction paper (red, green, white, brown)
- Markers or paint
- Tape, glue stick, pushpins
- Pom-poms (red for Rudolph’s nose!)
- Christmas bows, tinsel, ribbons
- Inflatable rings (for ring toss)
- A string of Christmas lights
With these basic items, you’re ready to unlock a world of festive fun!
Easy & Engaging DIY Christmas Games for Little Elves (Preschool & Early Elementary)
For the youngest members of your family, simplicity, repetition, and clear instructions are key. These games focus on foundational skills and pure, unadulterated holiday joy.
1. Santa Says (A Holiday Spin on Simon Says)
What you need: Nothing but enthusiasm! How to play: The classic game, but with a jolly Christmas twist. The designated “Santa” gives commands starting with “Santa says…” (e.g., “Santa says touch your red nose,” “Santa says march like a toy soldier,” “Santa says wiggle your fingers like jingle bells”). If “Santa says” isn’t included, children shouldn’t follow the command. Communication Focus: This game is fantastic for developing receptive language (listening and understanding commands), following multi-step directions, and expanding vocabulary related to actions and body parts. For a parent whose child is working on expanding their action verbs, “Santa says hop,” “Santa says wave,” or “Santa says spin” offers a playful way to practice. You can even draw inspiration from Speech Blubs, where children imitate peers doing actions and making sounds. Try “Santa says roar like a lion” after they’ve practiced animal sounds in our Animal Kingdom section in the app!
2. Pin the Nose on Rudolph (or Hat on the Elf/Star on the Tree)
What you need: Large drawing of Rudolph (or a snowman, Christmas tree, elf), red pom-poms or construction paper noses (with tape on the back), a blindfold. How to play: Tape your large drawing to a wall at child height. Blindfold a child, gently spin them a few times, and have them try to stick Rudolph’s nose in the right spot. Mark their attempt with their initial. The closest wins! Communication Focus: This game encourages spatial awareness and helps children practice descriptive language (“up,” “down,” “left,” “right”). For a child working on prepositions, you can guide them with phrases like, “Try putting the nose on Rudolph,” or “Is it above his mouth?” The giggles as they get close (or very far!) are wonderful communication opportunities.
3. Christmas Musical Statues & Disco
What you need: Christmas music! How to play: Play upbeat Christmas tunes and encourage everyone to dance. When the music stops, everyone freezes like a snowman until the music starts again. For a disco, simply let them dance their wiggles out. Communication Focus: Excellent for listening skills, impulse control, and gross motor development. It also provides a fun context for expressing joy through movement and sound. You can ask children, “What kind of dance move are you doing?” or “Can you freeze like an elf making a toy?”
4. Ornament Sorting Challenge
What you need: A variety of plastic ornaments, baskets or bins. How to play: Provide a mix of ornaments and ask children to sort them by color, size, or shape. They can work individually or cooperatively to decorate a small classroom tree or a designated sorting area. Communication Focus: This simple activity is a powerhouse for early language development. It targets color recognition (“Find all the red ornaments”), counting (“How many blue ones do you have?”), comparative language (“This one is bigger than that one”), and descriptive vocabulary (“Look at the sparkly star!”).
5. Snowball Relay
What you need: Cotton balls (“snowballs”), two bowls or buckets per player/team, plastic spoons. How to play: Have players use a plastic spoon to transfer cotton balls from one bowl to another. They can hold the spoon in their hand or, for a funnier challenge, in their mouth! Communication Focus: This activity is great for developing fine motor skills and focus. It also provides a natural scenario for giving and following simple instructions, asking for help, and expressing frustration or excitement with words like “Whoops!” or “I did it!”
Creative & Collaborative DIY Games for Growing Gangs (Elementary & Middle School)
As children grow, they enjoy games that involve more strategy, teamwork, and opportunities for creative expression.
6. Gingerbread Cookie Shuffle
What you need: Small gingerbread cookies (or other lightweight cookies). How to play: Each player places a gingerbread cookie on their forehead. On “Go!”, they must try to maneuver the cookie down their face into their mouth without using their hands. Communication Focus: This hilariously difficult game generates abundant laughter and provides a context for encouraging words (“You can do it!”), expressing surprise (“Oh no, it fell!”), and describing the challenge (“It’s so tricky to keep it balanced!”). It’s a wonderful way to lighten the mood and build connections.
7. Candy Cane Hook Challenge
What you need: Plenty of candy canes (one in mouth, a pile for hooking). How to play: Each player holds a candy cane in their mouth with the hook facing down. On “Go!” (and for a timed minute), they try to hook as many other candy canes as possible onto the one in their mouth. The player with the most hooked at the end of the minute wins. Communication Focus: This game hones fine motor skills and concentration. It also encourages counting, friendly competition, and expressing amazement at successful (or disastrous) attempts.
8. Tannenbaum Avalanche (Cup Stacking)
What you need: A stack of small red plastic cups for each player. How to play: In one minute, players race to build the tallest (or most creative) Christmas tree out of cups. Communication Focus: This game stimulates spatial reasoning, planning, and problem-solving. Children can describe their building strategies, use positional words (“put it on top,” “be careful, it’s leaning!”), and express excitement as their tower grows.
9. Christmas Charades or Pictionary
What you need: Slips of paper with Christmas-themed words/phrases (e.g., “decorate tree,” “sing carols,” “Santa Claus,” “reindeer flying,” “unwrap a present”), a hat, a whiteboard/paper and markers for Pictionary. How to play: Players draw a slip and act out or draw the phrase for their team to guess within a time limit. Communication Focus: This game is a fantastic way to develop both expressive and receptive language skills. For charades, children learn to convey meaning non-verbally, using body language and facial expressions, much like how Speech Blubs uses video modeling to show children how to form sounds and words by watching their peers. For Pictionary, they practice describing concepts visually and using rich vocabulary to explain their drawings.
10. Holiday Themed Scavenger Hunt
What you need: A list of clues, hidden Christmas-themed items or small treats. How to play: Create a series of clues (pictures for younger kids, riddles for older) that lead players around the house to find hidden treasures. Communication Focus: This activity is excellent for developing vocabulary, critical thinking, and following complex instructions. For a child working on following directions with prepositions, clues like “Look under the Christmas tree” or “Check behind the red curtain” are perfect. It also encourages teamwork and discussion as they decipher clues together.
11. DIY Christmas Bingo
What you need: Printable Christmas Bingo cards (or draw your own with holiday images/words), small markers (candy pieces, buttons). How to play: Call out Christmas-themed words or show pictures, and players cover the matching square on their card. First to get a line wins! Communication Focus: Bingo is wonderful for vocabulary development, picture recognition, and turn-taking. It encourages children to identify and name various holiday items, fostering language growth in a fun, low-pressure environment.
High-Energy & Hilarious DIY Games for Jolly Families (All Ages)
These games are designed for maximum laughter, active participation, and creating unforgettable family moments.
12. Toilet Paper Snowman Challenge
What you need: Several rolls of toilet paper, accessories like a scarf, hat, and “carrot” nose (orange paper cone). How to play: Divide into teams of two. On “Go!”, one team member must “build” a snowman by wrapping the other person in toilet paper. The first team to create a fully wrapped snowman with accessories wins! Communication Focus: This game is pure hilarity and promotes teamwork, problem-solving (“How do we keep the toilet paper from tearing?”), and lots of descriptive language (“Wrap it tighter!”, “Hold still!”). The shared laughter is an incredible bonding experience.
13. Shake the Snowballs Out
What you need: Empty tissue boxes, ping-pong balls (“snowballs”), ribbon or string. How to play: Attach a tissue box to each player’s waist (like a fanny pack or “backpack”) using ribbon, with the opening facing away from their body. Fill the box with ping-pong balls. On “Go!”, players must shake, wiggle, and jump to get all the “snowballs” out of the box without using their hands. Communication Focus: This game is incredibly active and generates lots of excited shouts and cheers. It encourages expressive language through movement and sound, as well as descriptive words for actions (“shake,” “wiggle,” “jump”).
14. Christmas Tree Bowling
What you need: Empty plastic soda bottles (decorated as Christmas trees), a small ball. How to play: Decorate empty soda bottles with green paper, stars, and festive foam shapes to turn them into mini Christmas trees. Set them up like bowling pins and take turns rolling a ball to knock them down. Communication Focus: This game is great for developing gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It provides opportunities for counting (“How many pins did you knock down?”), turn-taking, and simple descriptive language (“Good roll!”, “It went straight!”).
15. Cookie Decorating Competition
What you need: Plain Christmas cookies, various frostings, sprinkles, candies, edible decorations. How to play: Provide each participant with cookies and a variety of decorating supplies. Set a time limit and let creativity flow! Have categories like “Most Festive,” “Most Creative,” or “Most Delicious Looking.” Communication Focus: This activity is a fantastic sensory experience that naturally sparks conversation. Children can describe their design choices (“I’m making a reindeer with red sprinkles for a nose!”), ask for specific colors or toppings, and discuss their favorite parts of the process. For a child learning to express preferences, asking “Which frosting do you want?” or “Do you like the stars or the bells?” is a great prompt.
Enhancing Communication with Speech Blubs: A Year-Round Companion
While these DIY games are perfect for festive fun, consistent support for communication development is a year-round journey. That’s where Speech Blubs comes in. Our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts” by providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. We believe that communication is the foundation of connection, and we’re committed to giving every child the voice they deserve.
We recognize that many parents seek engaging tools to supplement their child’s development, especially for “late talkers” or those needing extra language practice. Speech Blubs transforms screen time into “smart screen time,” replacing passive viewing with interactive, scientifically-backed learning. Our unique approach of teaching complex communication skills through “video modeling” allows children to learn by watching and imitating their peers – a powerful and highly effective method.
Imagine a parent whose 3-year-old “late talker” loves animals but is shy about making sounds. The “Animal Kingdom” section in Speech Blubs offers a fun, motivating way to practice “moo” and “baa” sounds by imitating other children. Once they build that confidence in the app, they can then bring those sounds and words into a game like “Santa Says” or a holiday scavenger hunt. The app becomes a stepping stone, building foundational skills that children can then confidently apply in real-world, interactive play.
Ready to spark more joyful communication moments with your child, not just during the holidays but every day? You can download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play to begin your journey.
The Speech Blubs Difference: Blending Science with Play
At Speech Blubs, we don’t just create games; we develop a powerful tool for family connection, grounded in scientific principles. Our video modeling methodology leverages the natural human inclination to learn by imitation, making the process intuitive and effective. Children see other children, not animated characters, modeling sounds and words, which activates mirror neurons and makes learning incredibly impactful. This dedication to scientific efficacy is why our app consistently ranks high on the MARS scale (Mobile App Rating Scale), placing us in the top tier of speech apps worldwide. Learn more about the research behind our method and why it’s so effective.
We are committed to providing a screen-free alternative to passive viewing experiences like cartoons, transforming devices into engaging learning opportunities that you can do alongside your child. We understand that parents want the best for their children, and that includes clear, realistic expectations. While we don’t promise guaranteed outcomes like “your child will be giving public speeches in a month,” we focus on the invaluable benefits of the process: fostering a love for communication, building confidence, reducing frustration, developing key foundational skills, and creating joyful family learning moments. Speech Blubs is a powerful supplement to your child’s overall development plan and, when applicable, professional therapy.
Making the Most of Your Family’s Speech Journey
Unsure if your child could benefit from a structured, playful approach to communication development? We offer a simple, accessible way to gain insight. Take our quick 3-minute preliminary screener involving just 9 simple questions. It provides an immediate assessment and a personalized next-steps plan, along with a free 7-day trial of Speech Blubs. This is a great way to understand your child’s needs and see how our app can support their journey.
We are transparent about our pricing because we believe in building trust and providing exceptional value. Our plans are designed to fit different needs, but we highly recommend our Yearly plan for the most comprehensive and cost-effective experience.
- Monthly Plan: $14.99 per month.
- Yearly Plan: $59.99 per year, which breaks down to just $4.99 per month – a phenomenal value!
The Yearly plan offers significant advantages:
- Save 66% compared to the monthly subscription.
- Includes a 7-day free trial so you can explore all the features before committing.
- Comes with access to the extra Reading Blubs app, further enhancing your child’s literacy journey.
- Provides early access to new updates and a 24-hour support response time, ensuring you always have the latest features and dedicated assistance.
The Monthly plan does not include these exclusive benefits, making the Yearly plan the clear best choice for families seeking to invest in a year of consistent, joyful learning and development. Read what other parents are saying about their child’s success with Speech Blubs and discover why so many families choose us.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive features and superior value! Start your 7-day free trial by choosing the Yearly plan today!
Conclusion
This holiday season, let’s step back from the commercial bustle and lean into the heartwarming power of connection. DIY kids’ Christmas games offer an incredible opportunity to create lasting memories, spark joy, and naturally foster essential developmental skills, especially in communication. From the giggles of a gingerbread shuffle to the triumphant shouts of a snowman stack, these simple, frugal activities are the glue that knits family hearts together.
And as you embrace these festive, hands-on moments, remember that Speech Blubs is here to support your child’s communication journey all year long. Our unique, scientifically-backed approach turns screen time into “smart screen time,” empowering children to speak their minds and hearts through engaging video modeling. We are committed to providing a joyful, effective tool that complements your family’s efforts, helping to build confidence and reduce frustration as your child develops their voice.
Embrace the joy of communication this Christmas and beyond. Download Speech Blubs from the App Store or Google Play to get started, and remember to select the Yearly plan for the best value and full features! Prefer to sign up online? Create your account and begin your 7-day free trial here. Make this holiday season one filled with meaningful connections and joyful communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can DIY Christmas games help my child’s speech and language development?
A1: DIY Christmas games naturally create engaging environments for communication. Children practice listening to instructions, taking turns, describing actions and objects, asking questions, and expressing emotions. For example, during a “Christmas Scavenger Hunt,” they might use positional words like “under” or “behind,” or descriptive words during a “Cookie Decorating Competition” (“This cookie is sparkly!”). These interactive scenarios provide practical, real-world opportunities to use and expand their vocabulary and social communication skills.
Q2: Are these DIY Christmas games suitable for different age groups?
A2: Absolutely! We’ve designed this list with a range of ages in mind. For younger children (preschool/early elementary), games like “Santa Says” or “Ornament Sorting” are perfect for developing foundational skills and following simple directions. For older children (elementary/middle school), activities like “Christmas Charades” or “Toilet Paper Snowman Challenge” offer more complex problem-solving, teamwork, and creative expression. Many games can also be adapted with simpler rules or more challenging twists to suit mixed-age groups, ensuring everyone can participate and have fun.
Q3: How does Speech Blubs fit with these DIY Christmas games?
A3: Speech Blubs perfectly complements these DIY games by building foundational communication skills that children can then apply in real-world play. Our app uses a unique video modeling approach, where children learn by imitating peers, which boosts confidence in producing sounds and words. For instance, a child might practice animal sounds or action verbs in Speech Blubs, then confidently use those new words during a “Santa Says” game. The app provides “smart screen time” that prepares children for more effective, joyful, and confident participation in screen-free family interactions, reinforcing that our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts.”
Q4: What’s the best way to get started with Speech Blubs to support my child’s communication?
A4: The best way to get started is by choosing our Yearly plan. This plan offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to explore all of our engaging activities and see how they can benefit your child. The Yearly plan also includes access to the Reading Blubs app, early access to new updates, and 24-hour support, all for a significantly lower monthly cost than the Monthly plan (just $4.99/month, saving you 66%). You can download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play and select the Yearly plan, or sign up for your free trial online directly here.