Christmas Morning Games For Kids: 14 For The Hours Before Dinner

Christmas morning has a shape: up far too early, presents demolished in eleven minutes, and then four hours before dinner with a living room full of packaging.

These games slow the first part down and fill the second, without anyone needing to leave the house.

Slowing down the present opening

• One at a time, round the room - everyone watches each person open. Adds an hour and makes the gifts mean something.
• Hide one gift each and give a clue - a hunt per child, done in turns.
• Guess the parcel: shake it, guess what's inside before you open it. A point for each correct guess.
• The 'best guess' game - who can guess who a present is from just from the wrapping.
• Stocking first, breakfast second, tree presents after. It buys you two hours before nine o'clock.

Games with the new toys

• New board game, opened and played straight away - one game before dinner is the rule.
• Show and tell: everyone demonstrates their favourite present for one minute.
• Lego or build-it race against the clock, adults helping.
• Try-everything-once challenge - a tick list of every new thing, done before the turkey.

Filling the gap before dinner

• Wrapping paper snowball fight - scrunch it all up, two teams, thirty seconds, then bin it. Tidying disguised as a game.
• The box fort - one big cardboard box beats most of the presents anyway.
• A Christmas morning walk, with a hunt list: something red, a wreath, a dog in a coat.
• Cracker toy Olympics - race the tiny cars, spin the tops, whatever came out of the crackers.
• Pyjama dance-off to the Christmas playlist while dinner cooks.

Shop Christmas cards

How to write it so it lands

• Bin bag out before the first present is opened.
• Stockings, breakfast, then the tree.
• Save one small gift for the 4pm slump.

Where to shop next

• Christmas gift ideas hub
• Christmas Day games for after dinner
• Christmas games for the whole family
• Christmas Eve games and traditions
• Christmas party games for adults
• Christmas games for two people
• Secret Santa and gift swap games
• The left right Christmas story game
• Christmas charades and Pictionary word lists
• Christmas Day quiz
• Twelve games of Christmas
• New Year's Eve party games
• Boxing Day walk and outdoor games
• Christmas board games
• Boxing Day games
• Board games hub
• Secret Santa gift ideas
• Free feel good tools
• Shop Christmas cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Birthday cards for kids
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

How do you stop children opening all their presents at once?

Go one at a time round the room, so everyone watches each gift being opened. Do stockings first, then breakfast, then the tree - splitting the morning in half is the single most effective thing you can do.

What can children do on Christmas morning before dinner?

Play the first new board game, run a wrapping-paper snowball fight that doubles as tidying, build a box fort, or go for a short walk with a spotting list. All of it keeps them out of the kitchen.

What time do children usually wake up on Christmas Day?

Earlier than you want. A 'not before six' rule with a clock they can read helps, as does a stocking by the bed so the first hour happens without you.

How do you keep Christmas morning calm?

Breakfast between the stockings and the tree, one gift at a time, and a bin bag out from the start. Most of the chaos is packaging, not children.

Do you sell games or party supplies?

No - we make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK. The games here need little or nothing to run, and the only products on this page are our own cards.