Finding christmas party games for 1st graders that hold their attention without chaos is tough. I created this list because most online activities are too complicated or require heavy prep. Shifting to minimal rules changes the whole equation.
Whether you are hosting a classroom event or family gathering, these options focus on simple setups. As you scroll, look for easy prize ideas and fast prep times. Keep the kids entertained so you can actually enjoy the celebration yourself.
1. Pin the Nose on the Reindeer
When you have a large group of young kids, sticking to familiar classics saves a lot of headaches. This activity requires almost zero explanation because they already know how it works from birthday parties. It is highly visual and keeps the rest of the group laughing while they wait their turn.
Craft Supplies
- A large poster board featuring a printed or hand-drawn reindeer
- Red construction paper circles with double-sided tape on the back
- A soft fabric blindfold
Rules for the Kids
- Have the kids line up and spin the player around gently two times.
- Guide them to face the poster so they do not wander into furniture.
- The child who gets their red nose closest to the target wins a small sticker.
2. Grinch Heart Hide and Seek
If you need an activity that gets them moving around the room quietly, a hidden object search works wonders. This keeps the noise level down because they have to concentrate on scanning the space. It is a great classroom option when you need to transition them into a calmer mood.
What to Hide
- Ten to fifteen small paper hearts cut from bright green cardstock
- One slightly larger red heart hidden in a very tricky spot
- A small bucket or basket for collection
Search Instructions
- Hide the green and red hearts around the room before the kids arrive.
- Set a timer for three minutes to create a sense of urgency.
- Whoever finds the special red heart gets to be the line leader or pick the next activity.
3. Santa’s Workshop Relay
Kids have endless energy, so setting up a simple race helps burn that off before snack time. I like to frame this as going to “work” at the North Pole office, which makes them feel important. It builds teamwork and gets them cheering for their friends.
Prop Setup
- Two large empty cardboard boxes decorated like sleighs
- A pile of wrapped, empty boxes to serve as lightweight presents
- Two Santa hats for the team captains
Running the Relay
- Divide the group into two equal lines at one end of the room.
- On your signal, the first child grabs a present, runs to the sleigh, and drops it in.
- They must run back, tag the next person, and sit down until everyone finishes.
4. Indoor Snowball Toss
For those moments when everyone is getting restless, throwing fake snowballs is always a huge hit. You do not have to worry about broken windows because the materials are incredibly soft. This is usually the most requested activity when I host winter playdates.
Gathering Materials
- A pack of soft, plush indoor snowballs or rolled-up white socks
- Three different sized plastic buckets placed at varying distances
- Masking tape to mark the throwing line on the floor
Keeping Score
- Assign point values to each bucket based on how far away it is.
- Give each child five snowballs per round to maximize their chances.
- Keep a running tally on a whiteboard, but make sure everyone gets a round of applause.
5. Candy Cane Fishing
Keeping little hands busy is the secret to a smooth gathering, and this fishing challenge does exactly that. It requires a bit of focus and fine motor skills, which naturally quiets the room. It also works great for a multi-generational Friendsmas, since adults enjoy trying it just as much as the kids.
DIY Fishing Poles
- Wooden dowels or sturdy chopsticks for the rods
- A piece of string tied to the end of the dowel
- An unbent paperclip shaped into a hook tied to the string
- A large bowl filled with candy canes
Activity Steps
- Place the bowl of candy canes in the center of a large rug.
- Have the kids sit in a circle around the bowl with their fishing rods.
- Challenge them to hook as many candy canes as possible in one minute without using their hands.
6. Jingle Bell Cup Toss
Sometimes you just need a game that uses items you already bought for the holidays. This tabletop activity is easy to scale up for larger groups and takes about two minutes to set up. It is an excellent choice for a church youth event where space might be limited to folding tables.
Table Setup
- Ten red plastic cups arranged in a bowling pin triangle formation
- A handful of small, inexpensive jingle bells
- A long table pushed against a wall to catch stray bells
How It Works
- Have the kids stand at the end of the table.
- They gently toss or bounce the bells down the table to land inside the cups.
- The metallic sound of the bells hitting the cups makes it highly satisfying for this age group.
7. Wrap the Snowman
When you are hosting family members of all ages, it helps to have something older teens can do with the younger ones. This is messy, fast-paced, and results in some incredibly funny photos. It is guaranteed to get everyone out of their seats.
Supply List
- Multiple rolls of cheap, single-ply toilet paper
- Black construction paper buttons with tape on the back
- A bright winter scarf and a top hat for each team
Building Instructions
- Pair a first grader with a teen or adult volunteer who will act as the snowman.
- Give the kids three minutes to wrap their partner from the knees up in toilet paper.
- Have them stick the paper buttons on and add the hat to finish the look.
8. Christmas Musical Chairs
Music is the easiest way to shift the mood in a room full of six-year-olds. By swapping out standard tunes for upbeat holiday songs, a basic party staple feels brand new. This is ideal for preschool or kindergarten grads who are already familiar with the rules.
Setting the Scene
- Chairs arranged in a tight circle, facing outward
- A playlist of high-energy holiday pop songs
- A speaker you can easily pause from your phone
Play Variations
- Instead of chairs, you can use holiday-themed floor cushions to make it safer.
- Pause the music at random intervals to keep them guessing.
- Prizes for everyone who gets out early help prevent any tears or frustration.
9. Ornament Spoon Race
You do not need a massive budget to create a highly requested activity. Using shatterproof plastic ornaments turns a classic picnic game into a winter challenge. It is a fantastic test of balance that kids take surprisingly seriously.
Preparation
- Large wooden kitchen spoons for each participant
- Round, shatterproof plastic ornaments in various colors
- Two buckets at the finish line
Racing Rules
- Have the kids hold the spoon in one hand with the ornament resting on top.
- They must walk quickly across the room without dropping their item.
- If the ornament falls, they must freeze for three seconds before picking it up to continue.
10. The Stocking Guessing Game
If you are working with a tight space, sitting down for a tactile guessing challenge is a smart alternative to running around. It calms their nervous systems and encourages them to use their senses. This works beautifully right before a meal is served.
Assembly
- A large, opaque Christmas stocking
- Five to ten common objects (a pinecone, an eraser, a spoon, a small toy car)
- A piece of paper and pencil for an adult to write down their guesses
The Process
- Pass the stuffed stocking around the circle of kids.
- Let each child feel the outside of the stocking for thirty seconds without peeking inside.
- Have them whisper their guesses to you, and reveal the items at the end to see who was right.
11. Ornament Sorting Challenge
Bringing a bit of friendly competition into the mix keeps their focus locked in. This sorting task sounds simple to adults, but for first graders, it is a fun race against the clock. It is also an excellent way to sneak in a little color recognition practice.
What You Will Need
- A large bin filled with mixed, non-breakable ornaments in three specific colors (like red, gold, and green)
- Three smaller, color-coded baskets placed at the opposite end of the room
- A festive timer or stopwatch
Task Steps
- Dump the large bin of mixed ornaments onto a soft blanket in the center of the floor.
- Shout out a color, and have the children race to grab only that color and drop it in the matching basket.
- Keep the rounds short, around thirty seconds, to maintain high energy.
12. Marshmallow Tower Build
There are times during a party when you just need them to sit at a table for ten minutes. Building structures with sticky sweets is highly engaging and mostly quiet. Plus, they get to eat their building materials when the time is up.
Building Supplies
- A large bag of mini marshmallows
- A box of thin pretzel sticks or toothpicks
- Small paper plates to serve as building foundations
Construction Rules
- Give each child a plate, a handful of marshmallows, and a stack of pretzels.
- Challenge them to build the tallest winter tower they can before it falls over.
- Walk around and compliment their architectural skills to keep them motivated.
13. Freeze Dance: Blizzard Edition
Sometimes the easiest ideas are the ones that families end up loving the most. Freeze dance requires zero setup and instantly cures boredom. Adding a winter theme makes it feel special for the holidays.
Audio Setup
- A playlist of fast-paced holiday songs like “Jingle Bell Rock” or “Run Rudolph Run”
- A designated open space cleared of tripping hazards
- A fun prop, like a foam snowflake, for the person controlling the music to hold
How to Play It
- Have the kids dance as wildly as they want while the music plays.
- When the music stops, they must freeze like ice statues.
- Instead of eliminating kids who move, just have them do five jumping jacks to rejoin the game.
14. Pass the Present
Finding prizes for every single child can get expensive, so this group-win approach takes the pressure off. By wrapping a box in multiple layers, the excitement builds with every tear of the paper. It is a fantastic sit-down activity for a large school group.
Layering the Box
- A small box filled with enough treats or stickers for the whole group
- Five to seven layers of different colored wrapping paper
- Upbeat background music
Passing Directions
- Have the kids sit in a large circle and hand them the wrapped box.
- Play the music while they pass the box quickly to their right.
- When the music stops, the child holding the box removes only one layer of paper.
- The person who unwraps the final layer opens the box and shares the treats with everyone.
15. Snowman Bowling
If the weather keeps everyone stuck indoors, setting up an impromptu bowling alley in the hallway saves the day. Using empty bottles is a great way to recycle while creating a durable game. The kids love the crashing sound it makes.
Alley Construction
- Six empty white plastic bottles (like milk or water jugs)
- Black and orange markers to draw snowman faces on the bottles
- A soft indoor ball to use as the bowling ball
Bowling Instructions
- Arrange the snowman bottles in a triangle formation at the end of a hallway.
- Let each child roll the ball twice to knock down as many snowmen as possible.
- Have the kids take turns acting as the “pinsetter” to stand the bottles back up.
16. The Wreath Toss
Church youth groups or larger community events usually need games that scale up quickly for bigger crowds. Throwing objects through a hanging target tests their coordination in a safe way. It is visually festive and doubles as party decor when not in use.
Target Setup
- A large, inexpensive artificial wreath without glass ornaments
- Sturdy ribbon or string to hang the wreath from a doorway
- Soft foam blocks or rolled-up socks to throw
Throwing Steps
- Hang the wreath in an open doorway about three feet off the ground.
- Have the kids stand behind a taped line on the floor.
- Give them three chances to toss their item straight through the center of the wreath.
17. Holiday Pictionary for Kids
When you notice the group starting to get a little too wild, pulling out a visual drawing game re-engages their brains instantly. First graders are just getting confident with drawing, so they love showing off their skills. Keep the prompts incredibly basic.
Drawing Supplies
- A large whiteboard or a pad of easel paper
- Thick, washable markers in various colors
- A bowl filled with folded slips of paper containing easy holiday words (tree, star, present, candy)
Game Flow
- One child pulls a slip of paper and the adult reads it to them secretly.
- The child draws the item on the board while the others shout out guesses.
- The first person to guess correctly gets to be the next artist.
18. Decorate the Cookie Face
Combining a craft with a game gives them something tangible to eat afterwards. Making funny faces out of icing and candies is always a massive hit. It is messy, but laying down a disposable tablecloth makes cleanup a breeze.
Frosting Station
- Plain, round sugar cookies
- Small plastic cups filled with green and red frosting
- Bowls of small candies (chocolate chips, sprinkles, gumdrops) for the facial features
The Challenge
- Tell the kids they have five minutes to make the funniest holiday face on their cookie.
- Encourage them to use gumdrops for noses and sprinkles for hair.
- Take a picture of all the cookies together before they devour them.
19. Elf Hat Ring Toss
For those hosting a neighborhood party, this physical game gets the parents cheering right alongside the kids. It relies on a willing adult or older sibling to wear the target on their head. It is incredibly goofy and produces genuine belly laughs.
Gathering Props
- A sturdy, tall elf hat or a plush Christmas tree hat
- Lightweight glow necklaces or plastic rings
- An adult volunteer to sit in a chair
Tossing Rules
- Have your volunteer sit in a low chair wearing the tall hat.
- The kids line up and try to toss their rings so they land over the peak of the hat.
- The volunteer can weave their head around slightly to make it easier for the kids to land a shot.
20. The Candy Cane Relay
Ending the event with a cooperative challenge leaves everyone in a good mood before heading out the door. Passing an object without using their hands requires just enough focus to calm them down. It is a great wrap-up activity.
Simple Setup
- Two large, unwrapped candy canes
- A clear path across the living room or classroom
- Two small bowls at the finish line
Relay Steps
- Split the kids into two teams and have them line up.
- The first child loops a candy cane over their index finger and passes it to the next child’s finger without touching it with their other hand.
- They pass it down the line until the last person drops it into the bowl.
FAQs
How long should each game last for this age group?
For six and seven-year-olds, attention spans are fairly short. Aim to keep each activity between five and ten minutes. If you notice them getting restless, it is better to end the activity early and smoothly transition to the next one rather than forcing them to finish.
What are the best affordable prizes for six-year-olds?
You do not need to spend a lot of money to make them happy. Small items like holiday-themed stickers, fun erasers, mini containers of playdough, or temporary tattoos are huge hits. Avoid loud toys or anything with tiny parts that might get lost in the carpet.
How much space do I need for these activities?
It depends entirely on the type of activity you choose. Here is a quick breakdown to help you plan your space:
| Game Type | Space Required | Best Location |
| Relays / Tossing | Large, clear area | Hallway, gym, or cleared living room |
| Hidden Object | Whole room | Classroom or family room |
| Crafts / Guessing | Minimal | Dining table or floor circle |
| Musical Games | Medium open circle | Center of the living room |
Planning a holiday event for young kids does not have to be an overwhelming task. By sticking to these straightforward activities, you can keep the chaos low and the enjoyment high for everyone involved.
If you found these suggestions helpful for your upcoming gathering, make sure to save these 1st grade game ideas to your holiday planning boards. Pin this post to your Pinterest account so you have it ready when the winter break rolls around!