Pass the Prize Kid’s Christmas Party Game
This post may contain affiliate links – please read my disclosure statement.
This Fun Christmas game for kids is perfect for a school Christmas party or a party at home with the kids. Pass the Prize is a fast-paced fun and easy holiday party game played with kids of all ages.
Christmas Game for Kids
The holidays will be here before we know it, and we will be scrambling to find Christmas Games to Play with the kids. Pair this game that involves “whole class” participation with a simple craft, and you’ve got a fun-filled yet simple Holiday Party or birthday party. Are you looking for Christmas Party Games? We have loads of them. Try…Ring the Reindeer Christmas game, Stick It! – A fun Christmas Game and Christmas Minute to Win It Games
Overview
In this game, the kids pass wrapped books (or other wrapped gifts) in a circle while you read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Whenever the kids hear the word WHO, they must pass their prize to the right. I’m telling you, kids of all ages Looooove this game. I’ve done this with kids in preschool and even for the kids in upper elementary school.
What You’ll Love About this Christmas Game
- It is easy to play
- The game is easy to set up
- It is a great Christmas game for classroom parties
Supplies Needed
- Assorted books – one for each child – OR – gifts wrapped without names.
- “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” book by Dr. Seuss
- *Alternative to books – Find inexpensive trinkets, gifts or create goody bags for the kids to take home. These should be wrapped or in bags so kids their gift is a surprise.
Setting Up for the Game
Wrap books or other prizes, but do not label them
Have the Grinch Who Stole Christmas ready to read about
How to Play the Game
- Have the kids gather around you in a big circle on the floor
- Tell them you are going to hand everyone a wrapped present
- Instruct them NOT to open their present or peak just yet. Be quick here. You know they want to tear them open.
- Hand the books (wrapped gifts or goody bags) out – 1 per kid
- Have your How The Grinch Stole Christmas book ready to read.
- Tell the kids you are going to read How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and every time they hear the word WHO, they should pass their wrapped book to the next person (going clockwise).
- *You’ll need to read fast! It’s a long book, and it will take you about 20 minutes to get through it. It’s a great time-filler. Go as slow or as fast as you need to.
- This gets fun on certain pages when WHO is mentioned several times. They should pass it again every single time they hear the word WHO.
- When you have finished reading the book, they should have ONE wrapped book in each lap.
- The wait is over because now they get to OPEN THEM AND DISCOVER A NEW BOOK TO TAKE HOME! Yippee.
What Age is this Christmas Game Good For?
All ages! *I did this game for my son’s fifth-grade class last year. They were hysterical. They were practically throwing the books to get them out of their hands! I did a little investigating about a month before the party. I learned from my son that the kids were really into a series the teacher was reading to the class. I was lucky to find the next book in the series for $1.00 each on Scholastic. They were so excited to take those books home over winter break. I’ve also done this with pre-school classes. It’s always a big hit.
Years ago, my co-room parent did this at a Kindergarten class holiday party. I loved the idea, and think it’s great for any party.
Great Places to Find Inexpensive Books for Kids
Book Depot – A wholesale book company that sells children’s books
Scholastic – Chances are that your teacher has a code to Scholastic for their classroom.
If you have several days before the party, this is a good money-saving tip. I usually try to buy my books for the kids on Scholastic. I do this way ahead of time to allow time for delivery. Each month, Scholastic promotes a book or two for $1.00 or even a little less. On the computer, you can search each month’s flyer by age. You can flip through the flyer to find the books on sale that month. You can even return to the previous months to find more books for $1.00 each. $1.00 per kid is not bad when you think about this being one game (and possibly the goody bag) for the whole class versus several party games you would have to spend money on. You can even find your teacher’s classroom by teacher name and school. Order the books, and have them shipped to the classroom. Let your teacher in on it, and they’ll let you know when they get them. The classroom receives bonus points towards free books, and you receive free shipping. Don’t you love that?
Alternative Idea for Books
Goody bags from the Dollar Tree or Party Store
Hot Chocolate Kits
Candy
Fun puzzles or Mad Libs
Playdough paired with a Christmas Cookie Cutter
More Christmas Games to Play
Let’s Hang Out
Come and find me on Pinterest and Facebook for more recipes, crafts, party treats, and holiday games!
~Melissa KidFriendlyThingsToDo.Com
