Roll and build a Christmas tree game
Roll a 1 for the trunk, add three green tiers and a star in order, then roll three 6s to color your ornaments. The first finished tree wins, but everyone keeps playing: finished builders become elf helpers while the others take their turns.
Below are the die table, a simple sheet of cut-out pieces and a player board. Prepare one set of five pieces and one board per player. The paper pieces return to the tray after each round; you’ll need unused ornament circles or a fresh board to play again with crayons.
What you need for the game
For eight players, get these materials ready. For a smaller group, allow five paper pieces and one board per person.
- Two copies of the four-tree shape sheet below: 40 pieces in total, with no spares.
- Eight copies of the player board below.
- Two dice to share. One shared die works for four or fewer players; four dice give an eight-player table one per pair.
- One crayon per player.
- A tray for the pieces and an envelope for storing them afterward.
- Scissors for preparing the pieces before play.
- A visible copy of the die table.
- A timer, if you want to use the optional timed finish.
Use 65 lb card stock for sturdier pieces if your printer accepts it. Plain paper works for the boards. Allow about 30 minutes to cut two shape-sheet copies, plus time for printing and arranging the table; your cutting time may differ.
Put the pieces in five groups so players can find the shape they need. If you are setting up another project too, the craft party activities guide covers preparing supplies and leaving room for children to work.
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What each die roll means
Keep this table where everyone can see it. Print a copy and fold or prop the paper upright if that helps players read it.
| Roll | What to add | When you can use it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brown trunk | First, on an empty board |
| 2 | Bottom tier: the widest green triangle | After the trunk |
| 3 | Middle tier: the medium green triangle | After the bottom tier |
| 4 | Top tier: the smallest green triangle | After the middle tier |
| 5 | Yellow star | After the top tier |
| 6 | Color one ornament circle | After the star; color three to finish |
A finished tree takes eight successful rolls: five paper pieces and three colored ornaments. “Light the star” is the name for finishing the third ornament; there is no light or electrical part.
For example, if you have the trunk and bottom tier, you need a 3 next. A 2 does not add another bottom tier, and a 5 does not let you skip ahead. Say “snow day” and pass the die when you cannot use a roll.
Print the tree pieces and player board
Use Print the game and rules in this guide or your browser’s Print command. Check the preview before making several copies. These are shapes on the page, not a separate PDF download; printer settings determine how many pages they occupy.
Four-tree piece sheet
Each column below contains one tree’s five pieces. Cut around each shape, then sort the pieces by type. Print this sheet twice for eight players. Two copies give 40 pieces exactly; print a third copy if you want 20 spare pieces.
Black-and-white printing is fine: the triangle sizes distinguish the tiers. Color the pieces beforehand if you want brown trunks, green tiers and yellow stars. Keep the pieces loose rather than gluing them down, so you can collect and reuse them.
Player board
Print one board per player. Write a name in the blank, then place the pieces over the matching outlines. The outlines show the order from the trunk upward. Print the piece sheet and board at the same scale; check one set before copying the rest.
Player: ______________________________
The board has six ornament circles. Use three per round: color one on each usable roll of 6. The other three can serve a second round. Once all six are colored, use a fresh board, draw more circles on scrap paper or mark the circles with an erasable pencil instead of crayons.
Notes for the next game:
Player count: ________ Dice to share: ________
Rules to use: _______________________________________________
Materials to replace: ________________________________________
Store the pieces and die table in a labeled envelope. Count the five types before putting them away. For a different paper project, the Christmas puppet craft kit supplies character instructions for lunch-bag puppets; it is not a cut-out shape download.
How to play a round
Demonstrate one usable roll and one “snow day” before starting. Give each player a board and a crayon, with the pieces in the center tray.
- Let the youngest player start. Play passes left, with one roll per turn.
- Check the roll against the die table. Take the matching piece only if it is the next one your tree needs. Start with the trunk, then add the bottom, middle and top tiers, followed by the star.
- Pass after a roll you cannot use. Say “snow day” if you like. Keep your existing pieces and pass the die; there is no penalty or extra roll.
- Color ornaments after placing the star. Each roll of 6 colors one circle. Your tree is finished when it has all five paper pieces and three colored ornaments.
- Keep playing after the first tree is finished. That player wins and becomes an elf helper. Other players continue taking turns until everyone finishes.
Elf helpers can hand out pieces, point to the die table when asked and help collect materials between rounds. The optional helper cards above offer jobs to pick or print. Helpers do not roll for another player or take their turn.
A player who would rather do another seated activity can use a Christmas category answer sheet. That game needs its own prompts and letter rules, so treat it as a separate activity rather than adding it to the tree race.
If you need to stop after 15 minutes
Agree on this optional rule before the first roll. Set a 15-minute timer and count completed steps when it rings: one point for each placed paper piece and each colored ornament, up to eight. The highest total wins; tied players share the win. A partly built tree stays partly built—players do not add missing pieces to claim a finish.
If you have more time afterward, let unfinished players complete their trees without scoring. Otherwise, collect the pieces together and move on.
Rules for younger children and faster rounds
A preschool version
For ages four and five, try letting any roll from 1 to 5 add any paper piece the child is missing. A 6 colors one ornament, even if the tree is not fully assembled yet. Finish with five paper pieces and three colored ornaments, just as in the main game.
An adult can help arrange the pieces into a tree. For example, a child who rolls 4 on the first turn may take the trunk rather than waiting for a 1. Keep one roll per turn and pass the die afterward.
For mixed ages, explain which players are using the ordered rules and which are using the preschool rules. If the different rules make a race confusing, skip the winner and work toward everyone finishing a tree.
A speed round
Give every player a die. Start together and let players roll again as soon as they have placed a piece, colored an ornament or checked an unusable roll. Keep the normal build order. Finished players stop rolling and help the others.
Allow about five minutes as a starting estimate, but do not promise that every tree will finish in that time. Rolls are random. Use the timed scoring rule if you need a fixed stopping point.
A version without cut pieces
Draw instead of placing pieces: roll a 1 and draw the trunk, then follow the table through the tiers, star and ornaments. Each player needs scrap paper and a crayon. For other games with short explanations, see easy party games.
When to prepare and play
Prepare the cutting ahead of time so children can start with a demonstration rather than a wait for supplies.
- A few days before: Print a test piece sheet and board. Check their size, then make the copies you need and cut the pieces. Two sheets cover eight players exactly.
- The day before: Count the pieces, find the dice and crayons, and put the die table with the boards. Decide whether you will play until everyone finishes or use a timer.
- Before players sit down: Place a board and crayon at each seat. Sort the pieces in the tray and put the die table where everyone can read it.
- Between rounds: Return the pieces to the tray and find unused ornament circles. Allow about two minutes to reset, adjusting for the help available.
Example: a 20-minute game session
This is an illustrative schedule using the optional timed finish, not a guarantee that every player will finish a tree.
- 0:00–0:03 · Show the rules. Demonstrate the build order, an unusable roll and an ornament roll.
- 0:03–0:18 · Play for 15 minutes. Start the timer with the first turn. Finished players become helpers while the others continue.
- 0:18–0:20 · Count steps and collect pieces. Announce the result, including any tie, and return the pieces to the tray.
The example totals 20 minutes: three for the demonstration, 15 for play and two for counting and cleanup. Leave more time if everyone wants to finish before packing away.
More Christmas games for the same table
Choose the follow-up by what the children want to do next:
- Keep playing with pictures: Christmas matching cards gives you partner pairs to turn into separate cards. Prepare the cards beforehand; the page supplies a pair list rather than an illustrated deck.
- Use pencils and words: The Christmas word-game pack includes scramble, alphabet, cipher and other rounds. Prepare its word search before play.
- Try picture bingo: Christmas picture bingo provides calls and a blank board. Add pictures before using it with children who do not read.
- Take an acting turn: Christmas acting cards includes easy actions and harder scenes or songs. Keep each card hidden from the guessers.
- Stay seated without another race: Quiet party games includes drawing, guessing and other table activities.
For a broader mix, compare Christmas games for families or browse party games. Keep the rules and supply locations together using the printable party games guide.
The roll and build a turkey game offers a Thanksgiving version with its own parts and die table. If you are arranging a larger holiday gathering, seasonal party ideas can help you fit the activity around food and the rest of the day.
Christmas tree game questions
How long does a round take?
Allow about 10–15 minutes for a first round with shared dice. A speed round with one die per player may take about five minutes. These are planning estimates; an ordered game can take longer because players may roll numbers they cannot use.
What ages can play?
Use ages 4–10 as a starting point. Ages four and five can try the preschool rules with help. Older children can try the ordered rules after a demonstration; adjust to the players rather than relying on age alone.
How many pieces do eight players need?
Eight players need 40 pieces: eight trunks, eight bottom tiers, eight middle tiers, eight top tiers and eight stars. Two copies of the four-tree shape sheet provide exactly 40 pieces. A third copy adds 20 spare pieces.
What happens when someone finishes first?
The first complete tree wins, but the other players keep their turns. Finished players become elf helpers who hand out pieces or help with the die table. In the untimed game, continue until everyone has finished.
Can we play without printing anything?
Yes. Give each player scrap paper and a crayon. Follow the die table, drawing each part instead of placing a paper piece, then draw or color three ornaments. Use a fresh space on the paper for another round.