As you probably know, I love improv, and so does my daughter. She even ran the warm up one night, at our local improv class – for a group of adults. They had lots of fun, and gave her excellent review! So let’s try some Christmas improv – it’s a perfect “small cost big fun” Christmas activity, for all ages.
Christmas Improv
Most games that you’ve played at an adult improv class could be used with kids too. And you don’t need a stage or any other special space – just find a clear spot in your kitchen or living room, and let the games begin!
Don’t let anything go on too long though – just keep the games short and snappy. The goal is to laugh and have Christmas fun. We don’t want anyone getting stressed or nervous, especially the kids, or people who haven’t done improv before.
Improv Inspiration
Last Christmas, my daughter got a book with lots of improv ideas: 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults. We can check in that book for ideas, or use some of our games from improv class.
Also, my daughter went to Improv camp last summer, and loved all of the games they played there. We can play some of those games, and we’ll try to put a Christmas twist on the games, if possible!
More Improv Games
If you don’t have an Improv Games book, or haven’t been to any classes, here are a few games that you can try.
- Alphabet Christmas scene – Take turns telling a Christmas story, and each sentence starts with the next letter of the alphabet
- Christmas Party Emotions = Party guests choose an emotion from a hat/bowl, such as anger, joy, fear, surprise. The host tries to guess what each guest’s emotion is, after they enter the party and start talking with the other guests (about Christmas)
- One Word Christmas Story = Complete a Christmas story, with each player adding one word at a time
Improv Opening Lines
Here’s another idea for improv — choose an opening line from a bowl/hat, and use that to start your improv scene. Write out a bunch of opening lines for a skit, like the ones shown below. They don’t have to have a Christmas theme, but that would be extra funny at this time of year.
- I’d like to get a refund for this Christmas gift please
- Should we get these purple slippers for Dad?
- Your gift seems to be leaking
- I’ve finished putting up all the Christmas lights, so let’s turn them on
- I might have eaten one too many cookies
Have Fun with Christmas Improv
I hope you try some improv games, as part of your Small Cost Big Fun Christmas. Some people might be a little shy at first, or not want to get up “on stage”.
Don’t worry – they can participate by shouting out ideas for the improv games, and eventually they might feel brave enough to go “on stage” too.
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Small Cost Big Fun Christmas Improv
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