Holiday Party Ideas at Birthday in a Box

Holiday Indoor Activities

Snow Covered Art - Have each guest color a scene with crayons, asking them to press hard while coloring. Once they've finished coloring, have the children paint their entire pictures with white paint and sprinkle on clear glitter. The paint won’t stick to the crayons and, once it is dry, it will give the whole picture a snowy effect!

Shaving Cream Snow - If you live too far south for actual snow, let the children play with pretend snow using shaving cream. Cover a table with a plastic cloth and build “snow” shapes with the shaving cream. Create at least one snowdrift for each guest. The children can use their hands or popsicle sticks to play in the snow, making snowmen and all sorts of creations.

Stuff the Snowman - Before the party, use a hand-pump or a lot of helpers to blow up at least 15-20 small (5”-7”) round balloons per team. To play, divide the children into teams of 3 to 5. Have each team decide who will be its “snowman.” Divide the balloons equally between the teams and provide enough separation so that they don’t get mixed up. (Big garbage bags are helpful in keeping the balloons separated.)

Have each “snowman” put on a set of adult-sized clothing over his/her clothes. Set a timer for two minutes, and let each team stuff as many balloons as possible into their snowman’s clothes. When the time is finished, remove the balloons from each snowman one at a time, counting to see which team had the most balloons. Remember, popped balloons don’t count!

Holiday Coloring Page - Entertain your little elves with a fun, winter-themed coloring activity. Just print out one copy of our Holiday Coloring Sheet for each of your guests, and then let the children decorate them with markers, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, glitter glue, and other decorations, as desired.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Cake Hunt - Write the clues listed below on star-shaped pieces of paper. Work backwards from the kitchen (our clues assume the cake will be served from the kitchen table or counter), leaving clues at each location listed. Hide the cake before the party, and wait to bring it out until just before the children arrive at the final destination. The clues should lead them to the cake table.

On the day of the party, have someone appear to tell the children that the cake has been stolen, but that Santa has left them a clue! Then, read the first clue out loud to your guests. Let them follow the clues until they get to the cake. They will be so proud when they find it! (You may need to help younger guests read the clues.)

Here are our suggested clues. Make changes as necessary to fit your party location. Number one will be read to the children by an adult to start the cake hunt, and all the other clues will be hidden for the children to find.

The cake is missing! It's hidden from view. If you want your dessert, then here's what you do: Follow the clues, they'll lead you to more; to find your next clue, look by the front door.
It's a clue that you want, a clue you expect, so look by the steps that lead to the deck.
You'll have a clue to keep and to hold, if you go to the place where you keep your food cold.
Now quick as a wink, hurry along to the bathroom sink.
As fast as you can, there's no time to slouch, you'll find your next clue by the living room couch.
In the front yard, you'll find an oak tree; if you look all around, it's a clue that you'll see.
It's a clue that you want, a clue that you seek. Go to the barbeque and take a peek.
The next clue is simple - it's not hard at all; look near the closet in the front hall.
A clue, a clue - now where can one be? I think there's one hidden near the TV.
If it's a clue that you want, then you had better, look where you get a special delivery letter.
If you want the cake, there's no time for a nap. Look where you give your food a zap.

For additional Christmas party games and activities, see our partner, Celebrations.com.