Reindeer games christmas party kids usually mean chaos and running around, which isn’t ideal when you’re hosting a packed holiday gathering. I put this list together because most holiday activities online require expensive supplies or leave a massive mess in your living room.
If you want simple ways to keep the little ones entertained while adults relax, these low-prep ideas focus on quick setups that actually hold their attention without the stress.
1. The Classic Antler Ring Toss
If you want an activity that gets everyone laughing immediately, blowing up a pair of wearable antlers is a guaranteed winner. It takes almost zero space and works well for mixed age groups.
How to play
- Have one child sit on a stool wearing the inflatable antlers.
- Hand the other players four to six soft rings.
- Set a one-minute timer and see who scores the most points.
Materials you need
- One set of inflatable antlers
- Soft plastic or foam toss rings
2. Feed the Hungry Reindeer
Keeping toddlers focused is tough, but tossing objects into a target usually holds their attention for a surprisingly long time. You can easily make this out of shipping boxes you already have laying around.
Setup instructions
- Paint a large cardboard box to look like a reindeer face.
- Cut a wide hole where the mouth should be.
- Mark a standing line with masking tape on the floor.
Game supplies
- Large cardboard box
- Brown paint or markers
- Bean bags or rolled-up brown socks
3. Paws and Hoof Hop Relay
When you need to burn off that extra cookie energy, a simple physical challenge keeps them moving without destroying the furniture. This works beautifully if you have a long hallway.
The relay rules
- Print out large pictures of reindeer hooves and animal paws.
- Tape them to the floor in a stepping-stone pattern.
- Kids must hop only on the hooves to cross the finish line without touching the floor.
Preparation list
- Printed hoof and paw shapes
- Heavy-duty floor tape
4. Pin the Nose on the Christmas Reindeer
Try setting this up on a blank wall if you need a quiet station while dinner is finishing up in the oven. It is a familiar concept that requires zero explanation.
Steps to play
- Hang a large poster of a reindeer missing its nose.
- Blindfold the player and gently spin them around twice.
- Guide them toward the wall to stick their red sticker on the target.
What to buy
- Reindeer wall poster
- Red circle stickers
- A soft fabric blindfold
5. DIY Antler Headbands
A craft that doubles as an activity works best when you want the kids to sit still for at least twenty minutes. Plus, they get a fun prop to wear for the rest of the night.
Crafting steps
- Give each child a brown plastic headband.
- Let them twist brown pipe cleaners around the top to form branches.
- Have them glue on tiny bells or pom-poms for decoration.
Craft supplies
- Brown headbands
- Brown pipe cleaners
- Craft glue and mini bells
6. Jingle Bell Shake Out
You can easily modify this for older age groups by adding more bells to the box. It is hilarious to watch and requires absolutely no skill to win.
How it works
- Empty a tissue box and fill it with ten small jingle bells.
- Tie the box around a player’s waist so the box sits on their lower back.
- They must jump and wiggle until all the bells fall out.
Needed items
- Empty square tissue boxes
- Small metal jingle bells
- Wide ribbon or string
7. Carrot Toss in the Bucket
Sometimes the simplest challenges create the most laughter, especially when you use unusual items as throwing objects. Kids love feeling like they are actually helping feed Santa’s team.
Setup tips
- Place three metal buckets at different distances across the room.
- Assign points to each bucket based on how far away it is.
- Let them toss real or plastic carrots into the buckets.
Things to gather
- Three small galvanized buckets
- Real or plastic carrots
8. Reindeer Food Scavenger Hunt
Give them a reason to work together with a hunt that gets them moving through different rooms. This is a great way to buy yourself thirty minutes of uninterrupted cooking time.
Scavenger instructions
- Hide small bags of oats and glitter around the house.
- Hand out a picture checklist of the hidden items.
- Once they find all the bags, let them mix the food in a large bowl.
Supply list
- Small burlap bags
- Oats and edible glitter
- Printed visual checklists
9. Sleigh Pull Relay
For a quick distraction before dessert is served, use a smooth blanket on a carpeted floor for an indoor sleigh ride. It requires teamwork and burns off serious energy.
Playing the game
- Have one child sit on a thick, folded blanket.
- Another child grabs the front corners of the blanket.
- They must carefully pull their partner across the room to the finish line.
Required materials
- A heavy, smooth throw blanket
- An open carpeted area
10. Musical Ice Floes
Anyone with hardwood floors will love how easy this is to clean up afterward. It is a holiday spin on musical chairs that prevents arguments over who gets the last seat.
The rules
- Scatter large white paper circles on the floor.
- Play holiday music while the kids walk around the room.
- When the music stops, everyone must stand on a piece of paper.
- Remove one paper after each round.
What you need
- Large white construction paper
- A holiday music playlist
11. Reindeer Dash Obstacle Course
Turning your living room into an obstacle course doesn’t have to ruin your house. Use soft items you already own to build a safe, temporary track.
Building the course
- Create a tunnel out of large cardboard boxes.
- Lay down couch cushions as hurdles to jump over.
- Have them weave through a line of stuffed animals.
Course elements
- Couch cushions and pillows
- Cardboard boxes
- Stuffed animals
12. Candy Cane Hook
Save those leftover holiday candies for a fine motor skills challenge that is harder than it looks. This is a great tabletop activity to set up while adults are eating.
How to hook them
- Scatter unwrapped candy canes on a flat table.
- Give each player one candy cane to hold in their mouth.
- They have one minute to hook and move as many candies as possible without using their hands.
Game needs
- Two boxes of standard candy canes
- A clean, flat table surface
13. Snowball Spoon Race
Hand-eye coordination tasks are surprisingly great at keeping kids incredibly quiet and focused. Substitute real spoons with large wooden ones to make it easier for younger guests.
Race setup
- Place a white cotton ball or styrofoam ball on a spoon for each player.
- Have them walk from one end of the room to the other.
- If they drop the snowball, they have to start over.
Things to grab
- Wooden or plastic spoons
- Large white cotton balls
14. Red Nose Pop
Loud, high-energy challenges are exactly what you need after everyone has opened their presents and excitement is peaking. Make sure to have extra balloons ready for this one.
Popping rules
- Blow up red balloons and tie one to each child’s ankle with a short string.
- When you say go, kids try to stomp on and pop the other players’ balloons.
- The last person with an inflated balloon wins.
Necessary items
- Red latex balloons
- Spool of string or yarn
15. Sleigh Bell Memory Game
When the kids start getting restless, pull out a memory game to bring the energy level back down. It forces them to sit still and listen closely.
Playing memory
- Place different numbers of tiny bells under five opaque plastic cups.
- Shuffle the cups around on the table.
- Have the kids shake each cup and guess which one has the most bells by sound alone.
Supplies needed
- Five colored plastic cups
- A handful of mini bells
16. Wrap the Reindeer
Mess-free activities are a lifesaver for hosts who have already spent hours cleaning the house. This game uses cheap toilet paper and provides incredible photo opportunities.
How to wrap
- Divide the kids into teams of two.
- Hand one roll of toilet paper to each team.
- One child stands still while the other wraps them up to look like a snowy holiday creature.
Game materials
- Several rolls of cheap toilet paper
- A timer
17. Reindeer Freeze Dance
Music-based challenges always get the shy kids to participate because the rules are simple and everyone is being silly. You just need a phone and a decent speaker.
Dance rules
- Put on an upbeat holiday playlist.
- Have everyone dance like their favorite holiday character.
- Pause the music randomly; anyone who moves is out until the next round.
Setup items
- A portable speaker
- A solid holiday playlist
18. Pass the Holiday Parcel
Wrapping paper tubes are surprisingly versatile for creating quick games. This is a great way to hand out small party favors without just handing them a gift bag.
Parcel steps
- Wrap a small prize in multiple layers of wrapping paper.
- Have the kids sit in a circle and pass the gift while music plays.
- When the music stops, the child holding it removes one layer of paper.
Materials required
- Small prizes or candy
- Leftover wrapping paper
- Music player
19. Reindeer Bowling
Moving heavy objects safely makes them feel incredibly strong, and knocking things down is universally loved by toddlers and older kids alike.
Bowling setup
- Collect ten empty water bottles and tape brown paper ears to them.
- Set them up in a triangle formation at the end of a hallway.
- Let the kids roll a soft indoor ball to knock down the pins.
What to gather
- Empty plastic bottles
- A small, soft indoor ball
- Construction paper
20. Santa Says
A quiet wind-down activity is essential right before their parents arrive to pick them up. It requires no props and helps calm the room down fast.
How to lead
- Stand at the front of the room and give directions starting with “Santa says.”
- Give commands like “Santa says touch your toes.”
- If you give a command without saying “Santa says,” anyone who moves sits down.
Required prep
- Just yourself and some creative commands!
FAQs
What are the easiest games to set up quickly?
If you are short on time, stick to activities that use items you already have. The Candy Cane Hook, Jingle Bell Shake Out, and Reindeer Freeze Dance require almost zero prep time and can be set up in under two minutes.
How do I handle kids losing a game?
Keep the focus on participation rather than winning. Avoid giving out big prizes for single games; instead, hand out a small stamp or sticker to everyone who plays, ensuring nobody feels left out during the party.
Which activities work best for different age groups?
Here is a quick breakdown to help you match the right activity to your guests, so everyone stays safe and engaged.
| Age Group | Best Game Types | Average Prep Time |
| Toddlers (2-4) | Sensory, simple tossing (Hungry Reindeer) | Under 5 minutes |
| Kids (5-8) | Active relays, obstacle courses | 5-10 minutes |
| Pre-teens (9-12) | Minute-to-win-it challenges, memory | 2-5 minutes |
Hosting the holidays doesn’t have to mean running around chasing bored toddlers. By setting up just a few of these stations, you give the younger guests something structured to focus on so everyone can actually enjoy the evening.
If you are planning your holiday gathering, save this post to your Pinterest board so you can pull up these quick entertainment ideas right when you need them!