Christmas party games for the kids are fun to have in your toolkit for the holidays. This preschool matching game is easy to make using recycled Christmas wrap.
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Let’s play a game! No fancy materials required!
Simply upcycle some items you have around the house at Christmastime, like a holiday tablecloth or some wrapping paper.
Repurposing items you have on hand means less cost and fuss for you. Being able to use everyday materials is what makes this activity so inviting.
Matching and sorting activities provide early math play for preschoolers. Adding a holiday theme with colorful materials invites kids to join the fun.
Make this simple board game to have in your toolkit for easy go-to fun! You can play this DIY game at home or in the classroom.
Christmas Board Game for Preschoolers
Choose a material for your game board.
Here are some ideas (aff. links).
Paper tablecloth kids can color
Spread your cloth on the floor or on a table. Cut to size. The excess removed from the cloth will be used to make game pieces.
- If preferred, glue or tape the game board to a piece of cardboard or other firm surface.
Cut individual characters from the excess wrap or table cloth. Cut out cardboard shapes to match the cutouts.
Glue the cutouts to cardboard to make them sturdy.
Cover with clear contact paper or wide packing tape for durability.
Play a Christmas board game
The game board and game ideas can be adapted for all ages. The primary goal is engagement with materials. For younger players, the emphasis is on counting and matching, while older participants can play to reach the finish line first.
Matching Games
Option 1
Stack the playing cards (cutouts) face down.
Turn over a card and match it to the game board.
Place each subsequent card next to the matching card already on the game board.
Continue until all the playing cards have been used, or a player has reached the edge of the game board.
Option 2
Deal each player a set of cards, face down in front of each player.
Each player turns over a card and places it on the game board.
Play continues until all the corresponding characters on the game board have been covered, or someone reaches the end of the game board.
- Younger players can stack a card on top of another on the game board if there are no open spaces.
Game With Dice
Option 1
Each player chooses a character (game piece).
Roll the die.
Move your game piece across the game board the corresponding number of spaces, landing only on the matching character as you move your cutout across the board.
The goal is to reach the edge of the game board.
Option 2:
Turn the stack of playing cards face down.
Roll the die.
Draw the corresponding number of cards from the stack.
Place the cards on the board, matching the characters to the ones in the design on the game board.
Continue until all matching characters are filled.
DIY Christmas Game
Easy Christmas games are fun to have on hand for school parties, play dates, and family events.
Can you think of other ways to play the board game? Perhaps you could use just the playing cards for a memory game.
Kids can be creative with these games, making up new rules and ideas as they play. You can support math and language skills by joining the play, talking about the characters and game pieces, counting and naming colors.
This homemade Christmas game is a go-to everyone will love!
