Jingle Bell Toss Reindeer Game: A Christmas Game for Kids

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Step into the world of Santa’s sleigh team with the jingle bell toss reindeer game, a holiday activity inspired by the classic idea of reindeer games. Just like Rudolph and his friends raced across snowy skies, this Christmas party game challenges kids to toss jingle bells into red cups, scoring points along the way. Cups can be lined up in a pyramid or a row, each marked with a point value, creating a mini North Pole competition right in the living room. It’s an energetic way to bring the magic of the movie to life, turning any gathering into a playful reindeer training ground.

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Supplies Needed

Before the fun begins, gather a few easy-to-find materials. Most of these can be picked up at a dollar store or found around the house.

Supply List:

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  • Red plastic cups (10–12 cups work well)
  • Jingle bells (at least 10 per player)
  • Permanent marker (for writing point values)
  • Paper and pen (for keeping score)
  • Masking tape (for the throwing line)

Optional but fun: A small prize for the winner.

Setting Up the Jingle Bell Toss Reindeer Game

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Start with a set of red plastic cups, a few jingle bells, and a permanent marker. Write point values on the cups. 5, 10, 15, and 20 work great. Arrange the cups in a pyramid pattern if space allows, or line them up in a single row for an easier toss setup. The pyramid formation offers more challenge, while the straight line keeps things simple for younger players.

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Scatter the jingle bells in a bowl or bucket nearby and designate a throwing line. Masking tape or painter’s tape works perfectly. The distance depends on the players’ ages. Make a line that’s closer for little ones, and another that’s farther away for older kids or adults.

How to Play this Christmas Game for Kids

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Players take turns tossing the jingle bells toward the cups. The bells bounce, spin, and chime their way toward destiny, adding a cheerful soundtrack to each round. When a bell lands inside a cup, that player earns the points written on it. After a set number of rounds (three to five tosses per player keeps it quick), the points are totaled. The player with the highest score wins.

A small prize can add excitement, but the real reward is the noise and laughter that fill the room. It’s an easy Christmas game for kids that even grown-ups can’t resist joining once the bells start flying.

A Family Christmas Game With Prizes

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Christmas activities for families should be a good time, but it’s always more fun with something on the line. To put a spin on things, add a candy cane, sticker, or mini toy to each cup and let players keep the prizes they win. Each player continues tossing until they miss or hit an already empty cup. This is a great way to motivate younger players and challenge older ones.

Perfect Pairing for a Rudolph Movie Night Game

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Movie nights during December are special, so they need more than just popcorn. They need participation. The jingle bell toss reindeer game works perfectly as a halftime event during a family viewing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or any classic Christmas film. While the movie plays, the cups can sit on a nearby table, ready for tosses during commercial breaks or between scenes.

The rhythm of watch, toss, laugh, repeat; keeps the evening full of movement and joy. Plus, the bells make a satisfying jingle that pairs nicely with Burl Ives singing “Holly Jolly Christmas.”

Cleanup and Storage

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Cleanup couldn’t be easier. Collect the bells, stack the cups, and store them in a gallon-sized zipper bag or small bin. Label it “Jingle Bell Toss” so it’s ready to go for next year. The materials are durable enough to last through several holiday seasons, especially if the game becomes a beloved family Christmas game.

Why This Christmas Party Game Works

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The jingle bell toss reindeer game thrives on three things: movement, sound, and competition. It’s quick to set up, endlessly replayable, and adaptable to plenty of settings. A classroom, family room, or community center can all host the same laughter-filled challenge with minimal prep.

It also invites all ages to play together. Younger kids love the sound and the silliness. Older kids lean into the scoring and competition. Adults often end up laughing the hardest when their perfect toss ricochets away at the last second.

Whether used as a Christmas game for kids, a Christmas party game for classrooms, or a Rudolph movie night game at home, it captures that rare mix of creativity and simplicity that helps make holiday traditions stick. The jingling sound of bells bouncing on a table might even become one of those small, irreplaceable memories everyone associates with December.

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