Christmas relay games ideas are a fun and festive way to bring energy, laughter, and teamwork to any holiday gathering. These games usually involve dividing participants into teams and having them compete in a series of fast-paced, holiday-themed challenges. For example, one classic relay might have players race to wrap presents using only one hand, while another could involve balancing ornaments on a spoon and running to a finish line without dropping them. Other variations might include dressing up as Santa by putting on a red suit, hat, and boots before tagging the next teammate, or a “snowball toss” where players throw cotton balls into a bucket from a distance.
The beauty of Christmas relay games lies in their versatility — they can be played indoors or outdoors, and can easily be adapted for kids, families, or office parties. These activities promote teamwork, coordination, and plenty of laughter, making them perfect icebreakers for holiday events and helping everyone get into the festive spirit.
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Christmas Relay Game Ideas
Santa’s Hat Relay
Credit @marinelysbabysitting
Teams race to pass Santa hats down a line without using their hands! It’s festive, funny, and full of giggles as hats tumble and teamwork gets tested.
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How to Play:
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Divide players into two or more teams and line them up.
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Give the first player in each line a Santa hat.
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The goal is to pass the hat down the line using only their heads—no hands allowed.
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If the hat drops, players must start again from the beginning.
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The first team to get the hat to the last person wins.
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You can add music or time limits for extra excitement.
Reindeer Antler Toss Relay
Credit @bigamart.com
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Description:
Players transform into reindeer by wearing balloon antlers while teammates toss rings onto them. A festive and hilarious coordination challenge!
How to Play:
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Split players into teams of two: one wears reindeer antlers (made from balloons or a headband) while the other throws rings.
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Place each team about 10 feet apart.
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The thrower must land all rings on the antlers before running back and tagging the next pair.
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Continue until all team members have had a turn.
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The fastest team to finish wins, and bonus points can be given for style or accuracy.
Gift Wrap Relay
Credit @thepioneerwoman.com
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Description:
Teams race to wrap and unwrap boxes with festive paper, tape, and bows — chaos and laughter guaranteed!
How to Play:
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Set up a table with wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and a small box for each team.
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The first player runs up, wraps the box neatly, and runs back.
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The next player unwraps it completely before tagging the next teammate.
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Continue until all players have taken a turn.
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Judge not just speed but also neatness for extra fun.
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The team with the best combination of speed and presentation wins.
Snowball Spoon Relay
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Credit @starsricha.snydle.com
Description:
Players balance cotton balls (“snowballs”) on spoons as they race to the finish line, testing steady hands and focus!
How to Play:
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Give each team a spoon and a cotton ball.
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Players must carry the “snowball” from one end of the room to the other without dropping it.
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If it falls, they must return to the start.
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Once they reach the end, they pass the spoon and snowball to the next teammate.
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Continue until all have gone.
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The fastest team to complete without dropping wins.
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Candy Cane Pick-Up Relay
Credit @meghanjoytoday
Teams use candy canes as hooks to pick up and transfer more candy canes — a sweet test of dexterity and patience.
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How to Play:
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Give each player a candy cane and place a pile of candy canes on a table.
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Using only the hooked end and no hands, they must pick up one candy cane and carry it to a bucket across the room.
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Drop it in, then tag the next teammate.
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The team with the most candy canes collected after all players finish wins.
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Add Christmas music for extra cheer and challenge.
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Christmas Tree Building Relay
Credit @teamland.com
Description:
Teams “build” mini Christmas trees using craft supplies or stacked cups — fast, creative, and festive!
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How to Play:
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Provide green cups or paper cones and decorations like stickers or ribbons.
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Each player runs to the tree station, adds one item (cup or decoration), then runs back.
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Continue until the tree is complete.
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Judges can score based on structure, creativity, and team spirit.
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The first or most beautiful tree wins.
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Jingle Bell Shake Relay
Credit @etsy
Description:
Players shake small boxes filled with bells, racing to empty them by dancing and shaking — pure holiday chaos!
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How to Play:
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Fill small boxes with jingle bells and attach them to players’ waists using belts or string.
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When the timer starts, players must shake, jump, and dance until all bells fall out.
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Once empty, they tag the next teammate.
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Continue until all have gone.
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The first team to finish wins, and laughter is guaranteed!
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Ornament Balance Relay
Credit @happytoddlerplaytime.com
Description:
Players balance Christmas ornaments on spoons or trays while racing — a delicate and hilarious test of steadiness.
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How to Play:
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Each team gets a spoon and a plastic ornament.
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Players must walk (or run carefully) from start to finish while balancing the ornament.
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If it falls, they must start over.
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After finishing, they hand off the spoon to the next player.
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Continue until everyone has gone.
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The team with the fastest total time wins.
North Pole Sack Race
Credit @vhparkdistrict
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Description:
A holiday twist on the classic sack race — players hop their way to the “North Pole” while wearing Santa hats!
How to Play:
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Give each player a sack or pillowcase to hop in.
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Line them up at the start line with a Santa hat on their head.
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Players hop to the designated finish line and back without losing their hats.
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If a hat falls off, they must stop, fix it, and continue.
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Once back, the next player goes.
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The first team to finish wins the race to the North Pole!
Christmas Cookie Pass Relay
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Credit @Outscord
Description:
Teams pass a cookie down the line using only their noses — silly, tricky, and so much fun for all ages!
How to Play:
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Place a cookie on the first player’s nose.
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They must tip their head to pass it to the next player’s nose without using hands.
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If it drops, start again from the beginning.
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Continue until the cookie reaches the end of the line.
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The team that finishes first or with the fewest drops wins.
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Best played indoors for laughter and warm holiday cheer.
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Hi, I’m Maggie Culp, the founder of PartyVibesFun.com, based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States! With a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations, I specialize in turning any event into a fun and vibrant experience. From birthday parties to themed gatherings, I’m here to help you bring your party ideas to life with ease and excitement. Whether you’re looking for unique games, creative themes, or party planning tips, I’m dedicated to making sure every moment of your event is filled with joy. Let’s create memories together and make your next party the talk of the town!