The Santa Secret Instructions game is an exciting Christmas group activity where kids must listen carefully, follow festive commands, and react quickly—unless a hidden “secret instruction” appears. This game mixes laughter, movement, surprise, and attention skills, making it perfect for holiday parties, classrooms, family gatherings, or winter events. As an early-childhood educator creating games since 2013 across France, the UK, and the US, I designed this guide to help parents and teachers find group activities that are simple, meaningful, and fun. If you’re searching for a Christmas listening game that keeps kids active and fully engaged, Santa Secret Instructions delivers exactly that. This page explains how to play, why kids love it, and how to adapt it for any group size or Christmas celebration.
How the Santa Secret Instructions Game Works
To play Santa Secret Instructions, children gather in an open space where they can move freely. One player becomes “Santa,” the leader who gives holiday-themed commands such as “March like a reindeer,” “Jump like an elf,” or “Freeze like a snowman.” Hidden among these normal commands is a Secret Instruction that only attentive children will catch.
Examples include:
- Saying “Ho Ho Ho” whenever Santa says “snow”
- Touching their hat every time Santa claps
- Doing a silly elf dance when Santa turns around
The goal is to follow real instructions while spotting the hidden rule. Santa changes the mystery rule each round to keep the group guessing. This structure helps maintain excitement and strengthens listening skills. After a few rounds, switch leaders to keep everyone involved.
To make transitions smoother, you can remind children that the next Santa will introduce a brand-new secret rule.
If you want another energetic holiday activity, don’t miss our fun Christmas Switcheroo movement circle game, perfect for big festive groups.
How to Set Up the Santa Secret Instructions Game
Setting up Santa Secret Instructions takes less than a minute, and you don’t need any equipment. Here’s everything required for a smooth experience:
- Space: A classroom, gym, living room, or outdoor area
- Leader: One child or adult acting as Santa
- Players: Any number, ideally 6+
- Energy level: Medium to high
- Age range: 5 and up
This setup works well in winter classrooms, family gatherings, and Christmas parties. To conclude the setup section, remind children that this game focuses on fun movement and careful listening.
Santa Secret Instructions: Commands and Ideas
Here are examples of fun Christmas commands you can use:
- March like a reindeer
- Tiptoe like a sneaky elf
- Pretend to decorate a Christmas tree
- Freeze like a snowman
- Pretend to wrap a present
- Jump like Santa coming down the chimney
Secret instructions could include:
- Saying a holiday phrase when a trigger word appears
- Performing a gesture whenever Santa points
- Switching places silently when Santa jingles
These examples help Santa create unique rounds and keep the game fresh. When ending the section, encourage the leader to mix easy and tricky prompts for balanced gameplay.
For a playful twist featuring Santa’s helpers, try our exciting Elf Hide and Seek holiday challenge, ideal for active children.
Variations to Keep the Game Exciting
To make Santa Secret Instructions even more fun, try these variations:
- Speed Santa: Faster commands for older groups
- Double Secret Rule: Kids must track two hidden instructions
- Themed rounds: Snowman round, Reindeer round, Elf round
- Reverse Santa: Kids must do the opposite of the command
- Silent Santa: Santa gives gestures instead of words
These variations add variety and encourage kids to stay fully engaged. Ending the section by inviting adults to try different themes helps guide the reader toward adapting the game.
For a fun team challenge during holiday parties, explore our fast-paced Decorate a Tree Relay group activity, ideal for energetic kids.
Why Your Kids Will Love Santa Secret Instructions
Children love Santa Secret Instructions because it mixes movement, laughter, and surprise in a way that keeps everyone fully engaged. The hidden secret rule adds a layer of mystery that encourages kids to listen closely and react quickly, making each round exciting and unpredictable.
- Kids enjoy following fun Christmas-themed commands
- The secret rule creates suspense and lots of giggles
- Every child gets to participate at the same time
- Boosts attention, listening, and quick reactions
- Helps even shy children join in comfortably
- Works perfectly with mixed ages and large groups
This game brings festive energy to any setting and keeps kids eager for the next round.
If you prefer a calmer brain-teaser, check out our kid-friendly Christmas Trivia Quiz challenge, great for classrooms and family nights.
Educational Benefits of the Santa Secret Instructions Game
The Santa Secret Instructions game develops key skills while keeping kids active and joyful.
- Listening skills: Kids must pay close attention to every word
- Reaction time: They learn to respond quickly and accurately
- Holiday engagement: Perfect for festive events and group bonding
- Gross-motor development: Movement supports coordination
- Focus and attention: Children practice staying alert
- Team spirit: Everyone participates together
- Confidence: Leading the game builds speaking and leadership skills
These benefits make the game both entertaining and educational. A quick reminder that such activities create memorable Christmas group moments helps close this section smoothly.comprehension, and social play, this game supports children’s growth in a joyful Christmas atmosphere.
For a deduction-style guessing game, discover our engaging Christmas Who I Am character activity, perfect for mixed-age groups.
This Christmas activity also supports cooperative play and strengthens SEL skills by helping children manage excitement, take turns, and practice self-regulation in a festive, low-pressure setting.
FAQ – Santa Secret Instructions
Before running the Santa Secret Instructions game, here are the most common questions parents and teachers ask. These quick answers help you set up the activity with confidence.
It’s a Christmas listening game where Santa gives commands and kids follow a hidden secret rule.
It works well from age 5 and can be adapted for older children.
No materials are required—just space to move safely.
Most rounds last 10–20 minutes depending on energy and group size.
Yes, it’s ideal for winter classroom activities and holiday parties.
These answers give adults everything they need to adapt the game to their group.
The Santa Secret Instructions game is an easy, festive, and highly engaging group activity that strengthens listening skills, builds excitement, and brings Christmas magic to any gathering. With simple commands, hidden rules, and endless variations, it works for families, classrooms, and holiday parties of all sizes.
Ready for more Christmas group fun? Explore our full list of holiday games on Party Games for Kids and plan a festive activity session in seconds.
Designed for Learning and Fun
Because the Santa Secret Instructions game encourages active participation and child-led learning, it fits easily into classroom routines and supports meaningful holiday engagement.
At Party Games for Kids, we share group activities that spark creativity, movement, cooperation, and pure holiday joy. As an early-childhood educator creating children’s games since 2013, my goal is to help families and teachers access simple, high-quality ideas that support development without adding stress.
- Quick to set up: No materials or preparation needed
- Great for all group sizes: Works for classrooms, families, and parties
- Skill-building play: Supports focus, motor skills, listening, and teamwork
- Adaptable formats: Easy to adjust for different ages and energy levels
- Screen-free fun: Encourages real interaction and active holiday play
Exploring our collection makes it easy to turn any Christmas event into a memorable, playful experience for children.
For more holiday fun you can print and play, explore our complete Christmas collection of kids’ treasure hunts, mystery games and escape rooms, all created by Treasure Hunt for Kids.
