December ‘tis the season of festivities – and we’ve compiled the top Christmas activities for Scouts and Guides to do during this snowy month! Whether your unit is searching for indoor craft activities, classic Christmas games, or fun campfire adventures, there’s something for everyone.
So, it’s time for us to unwrap a list of our favourite Scout and Guide winter activities.
Discover more below…
Create Christmas Cards
Making homemade Christmas cards is a great activity to do with your unit. Get creative – create anything you like, as long as it’s festive! Here’s some suggested materials and a potential step-by-step:
You’ll need:
Cardstock or thick paper, coloured paper or wrapping paper scraps, glue stick, scissors, markers or pens, and optional extras like ribbon, stickers, or glitter.
- Prepare your card. Cut a piece of cardstock to your desired size and fold it in half.
- Choose a design. Decide on a simple theme – like a Christmas tree, snowflake, gift, or star.
- Create your shapes. Cut out coloured paper pieces or use wrapping paper to make your design.
- Glue it down. Arrange the shapes on the front of your card and glue them in place.
- Add details. Draw outlines, write greetings like ‘Merry Christmas’, or decorate with stickers or glitter.
- Write your message. Inside, add a personal note or short holiday wish.
- Finishing touch. Let any glue or glitter dry, then place your card under a book for a few minutes to keep it flat.
Make a Nisse
A nisse, tomte, tomtenisse, or tonttu is a small household spirit from traditional Nordic folklore (including Norway, Sweden, and Finland). It is usually a short, bearded gnome in a pointed red hat who looks after the farm and family, especially at Christmas.
You’ll need:
Felt (red for hat, grey or white for body), stuffing, faux fur or wool for beard, small wooden bead for nose, scissors, needle and thread or glue.
- Make the body. Cut a rectangle of felt (about 10×16 cm). Roll it into a tube and sew or glue along the edge. Close one end to make the bottom.
- Stuff it. Fill the body with stuffing until firm.
- Add the beard. Cut a triangle of faux fur and glue it near the top front.
- Attach the nose. Glue a small wooden bead above the beard.
- Make the hat. Cut a semicircle of red felt, roll into a cone, and glue or sew the edge.
- Fit the hat. Place the cone over the head so it covers the top and part of the nose, then glue in place.
- Finish and decorate. Add a bell, button, or ribbon if you like — and fluff the beard!
What’s in the Stocking?
‘What’s in the Stocking?’ is a fun Christmas guessing game that everyone can enjoy! The idea is simple – players take turns feeling inside a stocking and trying to guess what’s hidden inside without looking!
Step-by-Step
- Prepare a stocking. Use a large Christmas stocking or a clean sock that can hold a few small objects.
- Choose the items. Secretly place 5–10 small things inside — like a toy car, spoon, pine cone, ornament, or candy.
- Set the rules. Players can touch and feel the items but can’t peek inside!
- Take turns guessing. Each player reaches in, feels one item, and says what they think it is.
- Keep score. Give one point for each correct guess.
- Reveal the answers. Once everyone has had a turn, pull out the items one by one to see who guessed right.
- Add a twist (optional). Try a timed round, blindfolds, or a “mystery theme” (like only kitchen items or winter things).
Christmas Trivia
One of the most classic Christmas activities for Scouts and Guides is a lively round of Christmas Trivia! It’s a fun way to test your holiday knowledge while working together, laughing, and learning a few festive facts. You can play in teams or as individuals – just grab some paper, a pen, and your Christmas spirit!
Some Christmas Trivia questions to use:
- What date is Christmas Day celebrated?
- In which country did the tradition of the Christmas tree begin?
- What do people traditionally place on top of a Christmas tree?
- What food do people leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve?
- What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time?
Christmas Carolling
Christmas carolling gives you the chance to show off your vocals! Whether your group is belting out ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ at full volume, or humming ‘Silent Night’ around a campfire, this activity is a great Christmas tradition.
Here are a few classic Christmas carols your unit can sing:
- O Come, All Ye Faithful – A joyful invitation to celebrate the birth of Christ.
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – A bright, triumphant carol about the angels announcing Jesus’ birth.
- The First Noel – A gentle, traditional English carol retelling the story of the first Christmas night.
- Away in a Manger – A simple and sweet carol often sung by children.
- O Little Town of Bethlehem – A peaceful song reflecting on the quiet night when Jesus was born.
Campfire Cooking
Campfire cooking rounds up this list of Christmas activities for Scouts and Guides to do. Think marshmallows crispened and brown, think melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, think golden crackers… delicious! If you’re not a fan of s’mores, there are plenty of other things you can roast over a campfire:
- Hot dogs or sausages – Easy, classic, and perfect on a stick.
- Corn on the cob – Wrap in foil with butter and roast until tender.
- Banana boats – Fill a banana with chocolate chips and marshmallows, wrap in foil, and heat until gooey.
- Twist bread (dough on a stick) – Wrap bread dough around a stick and cook until golden brown.
- Cinnamon apples – Apple slices with cinnamon and sugar, wrapped in foil and roasted until soft and sweet.
Winter Adventures Await!
If you’re looking for more than just a Christmas activity to do, then you’re in the right place!
Whether your group wish to embark on a snowy escapade to Norway or Switzerland, or a ski trip for uniformed groups to Canada or Italy, there are countless ways to experience the magic of Christmas.
A winter wonderland is waiting to be discovered!