🎄 Five Holiday Acting Games Kids LOVE

Fun, Easy, Drama-Based Activities for Ages 4–8
(From the Play-Ground Theatre Holiday Acting Games Book)

The holiday season is the perfect time to bring imagination, laughter, and togetherness into your classroom or home. At Play-Ground Theatre, we've spent more than 20 years creating joyful, movement-based acting games that help children express themselves, build confidence, and practice kindness - all through play.

To celebrate the season and the release of our new Holiday Acting Games Book for Ages 4–8, we're sharing five free sample games right here on our blog!

These activities require no props, no costumes, and no stage - just energy, creativity, and your wonderful students.

Let's play!

⭐ 1. Holiday Egg

A student favorite! This imaginative movement game lets children transform from a cozy "egg" into a festive character or creature.

How to Play: Students crouch down into a small "egg" shape. On the count of three, they spring up and become the action chosen by the teacher - a snowman, a cookie baker, a gift wrapper, or even Santa's reindeer!

Why Kids Love It: Big movement, big giggles, and lots of imagination.

Skills: Creativity, body awareness, focus, coordination.

⭐ 2. Holiday Statue Garden

In this freeze-and-pose game, students become statues in a magical winter garden.

How to Play: Choose a theme such as Christmas Carolers, Snow Angels, or Nutcracker Ballet Dancers. Students turn around, count to three, and freeze in a dramatic statue pose.

Why Kids Love It: They get to be theatrical and silly while staying focused.

Skills: Stillness, balance, expressive movement, visual storytelling.

⭐ 3. Toy Team

A teamwork-powered acting game where kids become a holiday toy-making team!

How to Play: Students form a line. Each child performs one action (like stuffing a teddy bear or twisting candy canes) and passes the toy down the "production line." The last student proudly shows off the finished toy.

Why Kids Love It: It feels like being part of Santa's workshop!

Skills: Cooperation, sequencing, rhythm, imagination.

⭐ 4. Holiday Sports Stars

This high-energy crossing game combines sports with hilarious holiday twists.

How to Play: Students think of a favorite sport and turn it into a holiday version - Elf Hockey, Reindeer Relay, Snowman Bowling, Jingle Bell Jump Rope. Then they cross the room acting out their sport with big, bold movement.

Why Kids Love It: It's active, funny, and full of freedom.

Skills: Gross motor movement, creative problem-solving, expressive acting.

⭐ 5. Age Game: Holiday Edition

A playful guessing game where students perform as different ages - from tiny toddlers to wise grandparents — with a winter twist.

How to Play: Partners secretly choose an age (1–100). They perform a holiday-themed scene - such as wrapping gifts or decorating a tree — while the rest of the class guesses "higher" or "lower" until they get it right.

Why Kids Love It: Kids get to be silly, dramatic, and emotionally expressive.

Skills: Character work, emotional awareness, communication.