Christmas Mad Libs for Kids
If your house gets even a little bit wild once December hits, you’re not alone. I swear my kids get a special burst of holiday energy the second the tree goes up. They’re suddenly extra giggly, extra wiggly, and extra ready for anything that feels fun.
One of our favorite go-to Christmas activities, especially on those long afternoons when everyone needs something simple to do, is Christmas Mad Libs. They’re silly, they’re quick, and they make the whole crew laugh so hard that someone usually snorts. It’s all part of the magic.
I have put together a whole bunch of Christmas Mad Libs ideas, examples, prompts, and easy ways to use them with your kids. Whether you’re planning a classroom party, a family game night, or just trying to entertain your own adorable little elves, these stories will add a spark of joy to your holiday season.
Why Kids Love Christmas Mad Libs
Kids absolutely adore Mad Libs, and honestly, grown-ups do too. They’re funny, they’re surprising, and they let everyone’s imagination take over.

Here’s why they’re such a hit:
They boost creativity
Kids get to make up the weirdest, silliest, most dramatic ideas and turn them into a story.
They’re secretly educational
Shhh… don’t tell the kids.
But they help with grammar, reading, and vocabulary, all while the kids think they’re just being goofy.
They’re great for all ages
Little kids come up with the cutest words, older kids make it extra hilarious, and parents… well, we try to keep it PG.
No prep needed
You can play in the car, at the dinner table, on Christmas morning while waiting for grandparents to arrive, anywhere.
How to Use Christmas Mad Libs With Your Kids
There’s no wrong way to play. That’s the beauty of it. But here are a few mom-tested tricks to make it even more fun:
Don’t peek at the story
The person filling in the blanks should only see the list of word types — not the story itself. That’s what makes the surprise ending so fun.
Mix simple and silly words
Encourage your kids to be wild with their ideas, especially nouns and adjectives.
“Sparkly,” “stinky,” “soggy,” “flying,” “gigantic,” “banana-shaped”… it all works.
Try group storytelling
Everyone adds one word. Trust me, chaos, but in a good way.
Use them during holiday gatherings
Christmas Mad Libs are perfect for:
- Class parties
- Family dinners
- Car rides
- Sleepovers
- Christmas Eve traditions
Stick a few printed sheets in your purse, and you’ll be the fun Mom of the season.
Christmas Mad Lib Word Ideas (Kid-Friendly and Fun)
Need a little inspiration? Here are some simple, playful word lists to get the fun started.
Adjectives (describing words)
- jolly
- sparkly
- fluffy
- silly
- icy
- sneaky
- giggly
- magical
- tiny
- peppermint-smelling
Nouns
- reindeer
- snowball
- cookie
- sleigh
- elf
- candy cane
- stocking
- ornament
- chimney
- hot chocolate
Verbs (action words)
- dance
- slide
- wiggle
- bake
- zoom
- jump
- decorate
- giggle
- wrap
- sparkle
Places
- the North Pole
- Grandma’s house
- the living room
- Santa’s workshop
- a snowy forest
Kids can mix and match these words to create their own silly Christmas stories.
Christmas Mad Libs for Kids – Free Stories to Use
Below are several kid-approved Mad Lib stories you can use right now. Just read the word list first, fill them in, then read the silly final story.
Mad Lib #1 – Santa’s Big Adventure
Fill in these words:
- Adjective
- Noun
- Verb
- Adjective
- Animal
- Verb ending in “ing”
- Number
- Plural noun
- Silly word
- Verb
Story:
Santa woke up feeling very (1) on Christmas Eve. He grabbed his favorite (2) and headed outside to (3) with the reindeer. But when he got there, he saw something (4), a (5) was (6) on top of his sleigh!
Santa called for his elves, and (7) of them came running with their tiny (8).
“(9)!” Santa shouted. “We need to (10) right now!”
Kids love this one, especially the silly ending.
Mad Lib #2 – The Great Christmas Cookie Disaster
Fill in these words:
- Adjective
- Food
- Verb
- Noun
- Adjective
- Verb
- Plural noun
- Verb ending in “ing”
- Adjective
- Noun
Story:
Every year, our family bakes (1) Christmas cookies. But this year, someone accidentally added (2) to the bowl! We tried to (3) it, but instead the (4) exploded all over the kitchen.
Mom said it looked like a (5) snowstorm.
We tried to (6) the mess, but the (7) kept (8) everywhere.
In the end, we made a (9) (10) instead, and honestly, it tasted amazing.
Mad Lib #3 – The Elf Sleepover
Fill in these words:
- Number
- Adjective
- Verb
- Noun
- Animal
- Verb ending in “ing”
- Adjective
- Verb
- Noun
- Plural noun
Story:
Last night, (1) elves showed up at our house for a (2) Christmas sleepover. They started to (3) on the (4), but then a (5) appeared and started (6) around the room.
The elves thought it was (7), so they decided to (8) with it.
By morning, they had built a (9) out of (10) and left it by the tree!
Mad Lib #4 – Reindeer Recess
Fill in these words:
- Verb
- Adjective
- Noun
- Verb ending in “ing”
- Plural noun
- Silly word
- Noun
- Verb
- Adjective
- Verb
Story:
At the North Pole School, the reindeer love to (1) during recess. Today was extra (2) because someone brought a giant (3). Soon all the reindeer were (4) around it while the elves cheered and threw (5) into the air.
Suddenly, someone yelled “(6)!” and everything froze.
Santa walked over with a (7) and told everyone to (8). They all listened because Santa’s voice was very (9).
After that, the reindeer decided to (10) quietly… well, as quietly as reindeer can.
Ways to Use Christmas Mad Libs at Home or School
If you’ve ever needed a quick activity that takes zero set-up and brings maximum giggles, this is it. Here are fun ways to work them into the holiday season:

Classroom Fun
Teachers love Mad Libs because they keep kids engaged while sneaking in a little learning. They’re perfect for:
- Center rotations
- Christmas party stations
- Morning warm-ups
- Substitute teacher plans
Christmas Eve Magic
Print a stack of Mad Libs and use them while the kids wait for bedtime. It helps with the “Is it time yet??” jittery excitement.
Holiday Dinner Kids’ Table
Pop a few Mad Lib sheets into the center of the kids’ table at Christmas dinner. Instant entertainment. Zero dishes broken.
Long Car Rides
Heading to grandparents’ house? Keep a clipboard, pen, and a batch of Mad Libs in the car.
Family Game Night
Turn it into a contest, funniest story wins a candy cane.
Make Your Own Christmas Mad Libs
Kids get extra excited when they can create their own stories. Here’s how to make it super easy:
Step 1: Write a short Christmas story
Just a few sentences is enough.
Step 2: Remove key words
Turn them into fill-in-the-blank spots.
Step 3: Add a word list
Label each blank with “noun,” “verb,” “adjective,” or whatever makes sense.
Step 4: Let the kids be the authors
It’s so cute to see what they come up with, and they get a sense of pride when their story makes everyone laugh.
Christmas Mad Libs are such a simple little thing, but they create big memories. Kids love the silliness, parents love the peace and quiet (even if it’s just five minutes), and everyone loves the laughter that follows.
So grab some pencils, call in your little elves, and get ready for stories filled with cookies, reindeer, glitter, and all the holiday magic your family can dream up.
