What are good Christmas jokes for kids?

Short Santa, reindeer and snowman jokes with one clear pun work best, because kids already know the characters. Snowman and reindeer jokes suit preschoolers; the wordplay jokes about Santa and carols fit ages 8 and up.

How do you use Christmas jokes at a holiday party?

Hide them in a game. Tuck joke slips in with the candy canes for a candy cane hunt, write them on paper snowballs for an indoor snowball fight, or pass wrapped joke cards during the left-right Christmas game.

Where else can I use Christmas jokes?

In stockings, lunchboxes, Christmas cards and at the dinner table. Write the setup on the outside of a folded note and the punchline inside, so the reader gets a reveal.

What age are these Christmas jokes for?

Ages 3 to 12, and every joke carries an age tag. The snowman, reindeer and knock-knock jokes work from about age 3; the Santa wordplay and carol puns land best from 8. Use the age filter to match the youngest kid in the room.

Christmas Jokes for Kids

79 Christmas jokes we wrote for kids, grouped by topic and tagged by age, from snowman puns for preschoolers to Santa wordplay for big kids. Use them in stockings, lunchboxes and cards, or turn them into a holiday party game.

Chanel HooleOctober 24, 2026

79 jokes

Santa

Why does Santa go down the chimney?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Because it soots him.
What does Santa say when he works in the vegetable patch?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Hoe, hoe, hoe!”
What do you call Santa when he takes a break?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Santa Pause.
What's Santa's favorite sandwich?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Peanut butter and jolly.
How does Santa keep track of every fireplace he visits?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
He keeps a log.
Why is Santa so good at karate?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
He has a black belt.
What do you call Santa when he runs out of money?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Saint Nickel-less.
What does Santa use when he goes fishing?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
His North Pole.
What did Mrs. Claus say when she looked up at the sky?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Looks like rain, dear.”
What do you call Santa when he gets lost at the South Pole?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A lost Claus.
How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Nothing. It was on the house.
Why don't you ever see Santa in the hospital?
Teens
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
He has private elf care.
What do you call people who are scared of Santa?
Teens
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Claustrophobic.
What do you call a kid who doesn't believe in Santa?
Teens
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A rebel without a Claus.

Reindeer

What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Horn-aments.
What do reindeer say before telling a joke?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“This one's going to sleigh you!”
Why did the reindeer wear sunglasses at the beach?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
He didn't want to be recognized.
What do you call a reindeer that tells jokes?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A comet-ian.
What do you call a reindeer wearing earmuffs?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Anything you want. He can't hear you.
What game do reindeer play at sleepovers?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Truth or deer.
What do you call a reindeer with no eyes?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
No eye-deer.
How do reindeer cheer for their team?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Hoof hooray!”
Where did the reindeer go to replace its lost tail?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
The re-tail store.

Elves

What do elves learn in school?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
The elf-abet.
What do elves do after school?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Their gnome-work.
Why did the elf put his bed in the fireplace?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
He wanted to sleep like a log.
What do elves post online?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Elfies.
What do elves eat for breakfast?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Mistle-toast.
What do you call an elf who sings?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A wrapper.
Why did the elf go to the doctor?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
For his yearly elf check.

Snowmen

Where do snowmen keep their money?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
In a snow bank.
What did one snowman say to the other?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Do you smell carrots?”
How do snowmen get around town?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
They ride an icicle.
Why did the snowman name his dog Frost?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Because Frost bites.
What do snowmen do in their free time?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
They just chill.
What do you call a snowman in July?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A puddle.
What does a snowman put on his bed?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A sheet of ice.
What do snowmen call their kids?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Chill-dren.
What's a snowman's favorite game?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Freeze tag!

The tree & ornaments

Why did the Christmas tree go to the barber?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
It needed a trim.
What did one Christmas tree say to the other?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Lighten up!”
Why was the Christmas tree bad at knitting?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
It kept dropping its needles.
How do Christmas trees get ready for a party?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
They spruce up.
What did the ornament say to the tree?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Thanks for letting me hang out.”
Why are Christmas trees so fond of the past?
Teens
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Because the present's beneath them.
What did the star on top of the tree say?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“This is the high point of my year.”
What do you get when you cross a Christmas tree with an apple?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A pineapple.
What's a Christmas tree's favorite candy?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Orna-mints.

Christmas treats

What did the gingerbread man put on his bed?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A cookie sheet.
Why was the gingerbread man so nervous?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
He felt half-baked.
What do you call a broken candy cane?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A candy can't.
Why did the marshmallow jump into the hot cocoa?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
It wanted a warm bath.
What do snowmen eat for lunch?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Iceberg-ers.
What did the milk say to the cookies at midnight on Christmas Eve?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Santa's here. Act natural!”
Why did the peppermint win the race?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
It was in mint condition.

Carols & gifts

What's every parent's favorite Christmas carol?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Silent Night.”
Which Christmas carol do camels sing?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“O Camel Ye Faithful.”
What do sheep say at Christmas?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Fleece Navidad!”
What's a cat's favorite Christmas song?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Deck the Halls with Balls of Yarn.”
What's a dog's favorite Christmas carol?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Bark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
Why was the stocking so nervous on Christmas Eve?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
It was being left hanging.
What did the wrapping paper say on Christmas morning?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Well, that was a rip-off.”

Christmas critters

What do you call Santa's dog?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Santa Paws.
What do you call a cat on the beach at Christmas?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Sandy Claws.
What's green, covered in tinsel and says “ribbit”?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
A mistle-toad.
What's a penguin's favorite relative?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Aunt Arctica.
What do penguins wear on their heads?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Ice caps.
What did the owl say on Christmas morning?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
“Happy owl-idays!”
Why were the mice so quiet on Christmas Eve?
Ages 8+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
The poem said not a creature was stirring.

Christmas knock-knocks

One kid knocks; everyone else answers in chorus.

Knock, knock.Who's there?Snow.Snow who?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Snow use, I forgot my name again!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Mary.Mary who?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Mary Christmas to you!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Yule.Yule who?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Yule never guess who's at the door!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Holly.Holly who?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Holly-days are here! Let's celebrate!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Elf.Elf who?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Elf me wrap these presents, please!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Gladys.Gladys who?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Gladys finally Christmas!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Santa.Santa who?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Santa letter to the North Pole yesterday. Did you?
Knock, knock.Who's there?Avery.Avery who?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Avery-body ready to open presents?
Knock, knock.Who's there?Coal.Coal who?
Ages 5+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Coal me when the cookies are ready!
Knock, knock.Who's there?Icy.Icy who?
Ages 3+
Show the punchlineHide the punchline
Icy you peeking through the window!

Play it at a party

Snowball Joke Fight

5–12
Ages
6–20, two sides
Players
10–15 min
How long

Write a joke setup on one side of a sheet of white paper and the punchline on the other, one joke per sheet.
Crumple each sheet into a paper snowball and split the pile between two sides of a room.
Throw snowballs back and forth until the whistle blows.
Everyone grabs one snowball, and players take turns reading the setup while the other side guesses.

Borrowed from the indoor snowball fight, where the full rules live.

Candy Cane Joke Hunt

3–10
Ages
Any size
Players
10–15 min
How long

Tape a folded joke to every third or fourth candy cane.
Hide the candy canes around the house or yard.
Kids hunt as usual. A candy cane with a joke counts double.
At the end, everyone who found a joke reads it to the group. Grown-ups read for non-readers.

Borrowed from the candy cane hunt, where the full rules live.

Left-Right Joke Swap

6–12
Ages
6–20
Players
10–15 min
How long

Give each kid a small wrapped joke card and sit everyone in a circle.
Read the left-right Christmas story. Every time you say “left” or “right”, the cards pass that way.
When the story ends, everyone unwraps the card they're holding.
Go around the circle and read the jokes out loud.

Borrowed from the left right game, where the full rules live.

When to run it

At the class holiday party, between crafts and snacks.
During Christmas dinner, one joke per course from the kids' table.
In stockings and lunchboxes the week before Christmas.

More games for the same party: Christmas Party Games for Kids.

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Make it a party

Christmas party

A Christmas party built around the one guest every kid actually wants to see — plus the games, the food, the decor, and a printable invitation to send before December fills up.

Christmas party ideas

Frequently asked questions

What are good Christmas jokes for kids?: Short Santa, reindeer and snowman jokes with one clear pun work best, because kids already know the characters. Snowman and reindeer jokes suit preschoolers; the wordplay jokes about Santa and carols fit ages 8 and up.
How do you use Christmas jokes at a holiday party?: Hide them in a game. Tuck joke slips in with the candy canes for a candy cane hunt, write them on paper snowballs for an indoor snowball fight, or pass wrapped joke cards during the left-right Christmas game.
Where else can I use Christmas jokes?: In stockings, lunchboxes, Christmas cards and at the dinner table. Write the setup on the outside of a folded note and the punchline inside, so the reader gets a reveal.
What age are these Christmas jokes for?: Ages 3 to 12, and every joke carries an age tag. The snowman, reindeer and knock-knock jokes work from about age 3; the Santa wordplay and carol puns land best from 8. Use the age filter to match the youngest kid in the room.

Written by

Chanel Hoole

Party planning editor at Yombu

Chanel writes Yombu's guides to kids party entertainment — the planning playbooks that help busy parents pull off a celebration without the stress. She has spent years tracking what actually makes a children's party land, from the entrance an entertainer makes to the games that keep a room of six-year-olds spellbound.