12 Go-To Counseling Games for the Holiday Season

The countdown to winter break has begun! With Thanksgiving break that felt too short and Christmas break still a couple of weeks away, being a school counselor in this busy season can feel overwhelming sometimes. One of the ways I like to bring in the holiday spirit is by using holiday-themed games in my classroom lessons and counseling sessions.

Here are some go-to Winter/Christmas-themed counseling resources that you could use as part of your program too.

1. Countdown to Winter Break

Are you a fan of advent calendars? Do students just pop into your office out of the blue? Finding ways to connect with these kids? Currently, running any small groups? This engaging winter-themed activity pack covers 20 elementary school counseling topics. Think of it as an interactive countdown to Winter Break, similar to a Christmas advent calendar. When a student or a small group visits, they open a day on the calendar for a surprise SEL activity.

The countdown includes various winter-themed counseling games and activities, covering everything from anger management, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution to empathy, bullying prevention, stress management, and self-esteem. Under this countdown, there's a range of activities students can explore by lifting flaps or opening foldable shapes. They get to dive into a snowman anger management board game, a gingerbread man growth mindset sorting activity, a penguin social skills story and dice game, a hot cocoa guided meditation, and more. All these activities have a delightful touch of the holiday season!

I_love_this_activity_Kids_build_a_gingerbread_house_based_on_which_coping_skills_theyd_like_to_try.Everyones_house_will_ (3).jpg

Yall_know_I_love_teaching_self-regulation._This_is_one_of_20_holiday-themed_activities_in_my_Countdown_to_Winter_Break_r (3).jpg

Board_games_are_such_a_fun_and_simple_way_to_get_kiddos_invested_in_learning_social_skills_and_coping_strategies.This_is (3).jpg

I-Statements_are_my_go-to_conflict_resolution_strategy_to_teach_kiddos._I_like_to_use_creative_ways_to_get_them_to_remem (1).jpg

2. Anger Management Chill Zone Activities

Teach students to “cool down” during the chilly season! This resource consists of games that assist students in identifying calming strategies for anger. With winter-themed scoot, dice, matching, "I Have, Who Has" games, and a board game, it's ideal for anger management or self-regulation groups or when working individually with students needing targeted intervention.

3. Dress an Elf with I-Statements Activity

With friendship issues typically arising this time of year, it's a great opportunity to teach conflict resolution strategies like I-Statements. Students "dress" elves with these statements through a hands-on activity or opt for the digital version for a paperless experience.

My_kiddos_love_this_activity.Students_cut_and_assemble_elves_clothing_as_they_practice_the_sentence_structure_of_an_I-st (4).jpg

48397308_605128403233453_4336016497471127552_n (2).jpg

4. s-Elf Control Christmas Games

Helping students with self-control individually or in groups? This Christmas Elf-themed game aids in practicing self-control and learning coping skills. It includes 40 cards for conflict resolution strategies, a board game with scenarios, and discussion cards. There's even a digital version available via Google Slides if you prefer that instead.

ChristmasSelfControlBoardGamePreviewcompressedmerged.pdf (2).png

ChristmasSelfControlBoardGamePreviewcompressedmerged.pdf.png

5. Christmas Boom Cards

Boom Cards take on a festive vibe! While the Christmas sElf-Control Boom Cards help students learn the importance of self-control, the Dress an Elf with I-Statements Boom Card Activity aims at teaching students conflict resolution strategies and how to use I-Statements These games are perfect to use in a virtual school counseling individual or group setting.

Copy of ChristmasSelfControlBoomCardsPreviewmergedcompressed.pdf.png

Copy of demoDressanElfwithIStatementsBoomCards6329959.pdf.png

6. Christmas Coping Strategies

Prefer paperless counseling or working virtually on a snow day? This editable resource helps students learn coping strategies. They drag and drop coping strategy presents under the Christmas tree. With both Google Slides and Boom Card versions available, it caters to different devices and includes audio for ease of reading, especially for EAL/young learners.

If you are still looking for ideas for holiday-inspired counseling/SEL games that are SEL-based but slightly more generic and less academic and that can be used across the board? Here are some that have been a hit with my kiddos:

1. Letters to Santa

Have students write a letter to Santa Claus expressing their feelings and sharing their hopes and dreams for the holiday season. This is a good end-of-year reflection activity that would give you insight into how you could support your students to achieve their goals.

2. Kindness Calendar

One of the activities that is popular across the school is this one where you can create (or co-create with your students) a calendar for December with a kindness activity for each day to spread holiday cheer.

3. Feelings Collage

I’m sure you’re used to getting students to do this all the time. But how about adding a Christmas twist to it? Have your kiddos create a collage using pictures from magazines or drawings to represent different emotions they might experience during the holiday season.

4. Empathy Skit

I use this with my upper elementary students every year. All you need to do is divide them up into groups and have each group write and perform a short skit that demonstrates empathy and understanding towards someone who may be feeling lonely or sad during the holidays.

5. Christmas Carol Reflection

As a class/group, listen to a Christmas carol and have students write a reflection on how the lyrics and melody make them feel and how they relate to the spirit of the holiday season.

With ample resources and ideas to bring some holiday cheer to your counseling lessons and sessions, here’s wishing you December days that are merry and bright!