From Dreidels to Reindeer: Developmental Movement Games for the Holidays

The holidays are full of twinkle lights, family traditions, and lots of excitement—especially for little ones. If your kids are buzzing with energy (or you’re looking for ways to support regulation between gatherings, sugar, and travel), these simple, movement-based holiday games are perfect for bringing joy and development into your season.

As a pediatric physical therapist and mom, I love activities that build strength, balance, and sensory regulation while still feeling magical. Here are some of my favorite movement games with a holiday twist to keep your little ones moving, laughing, and learning.

🕎 Hanukkah Movement Game: “Spin Like a Dreidel”

Inspired by the beloved dreidel, this game gets kids exploring balance, cause-and-effect, and core strength in a playful, culturally meaningful way.

How to Play

• Show your child a dreidel (or a picture) and talk about how it spins.

• Invite them to “move like a dreidel”—slow spins, fast spins, or tiny spins on the floor.

• Use each letter on the dreidel as a movement cue:

  • Nun: Freeze

  • Gimel: Go big! (big jumps or spins)

  • Hey: Hop

  • Shin: Shrink small

Developmental Benefits: Builds balance + body control, offers sensory input for regulation, connects movement with culture and tradition, and easy to adapt for babies, toddlers, and bigger kids alike

🎄 Christmas Movement Games

Reindeer Run & Freeze

This high-energy activity lets kids pretend to be reindeer delivering presents around the world.

How to Play: Call out playful movement prompts—“Prance!” “Gallop!” “Fly high!”—then shout “Freeze!” to help build balance and impulse control.

Developmental Benefits: Cardio, coordination, regulation, imagination… and lots of giggles.

Present Pickup Obstacle Course

Turn your living room into a festive motor-play adventure.

Ideas to Include:

• Crawling under a “chimney” (blanket over chairs)

• Stepping over “Christmas lights” (yarn or painters tape)

• Carrying a soft “present” from one station to the next

Developmental Benefits: Strength, core stability, motor planning, and problem-solving.

Snowflake Yoga

Bring a little calm to the chaos with simple winter-inspired poses.

Try These:

• Tiny Snowflake: curl small like a snowball

• Melting Snowflake: slow stretches with fluid movements

• Spinning Snowflake: gentle balance turns

Developmental Benefits: Balance, body awareness, calming sensory input.

Candy Cane Limbo (or Step-Over)

Use a pool noodle (use painters or masking tape to give it a candy cane stripe) or candy-cane decor to create a fun challenge. Walk, crawl, or cruise under a limbo or practice stepping over various height "candy canes."

Developmental Benefits: Hip mobility, coordination, balance challenge, adaptable difficulty.

Santa’s Sled Pull

A stuffed animal sits (or small relative) in a laundry basket “sled” — and your child becomes Santa’s strongest helper.

How to Play:

• Toddlers pull the basket using a rope or scarf.

• Babies push the basket using both hands for pre-walking strengthening or sit inside to work on core control

Developmental Benefits: Heavy work for regulation, core + leg strength, grip strength and imagination.

Why Movement Matters During the Holidays

Kids thrive when their bodies have opportunities to move with purpose throughout the day—especially during a season filled with unpredictability, travel, and extra stimulation.

Movement:

• regulates the nervous system

• supports development from head control to balance

• increases focus for meals and activities

• builds confidence

• promotes connection between parents and children

A few minutes of play between events or during morning routines can make the entire day flow more smoothly.

Wishing You a Joyful, Active Holiday Season

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or both, these movement games add sparkle, connection, and developmental intention to your traditions. If you try any of them, tag me over at @phunphitpham — I love seeing your little ones in action.

Want more seasonal movement ideas or resources from birth and beyond? Explore my classes and newborn-to-toddler milestone support at Phun Phit Pham.