Stocking Surprise Christmas Game

Looking for a simple game to bring some fun to your December Scout meeting? Stocking Surprise is a good choice. It works for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, or Venturers. You can also use it at holiday parties with friends and families. It only takes a few supplies, and everyone gets to take something home.

Stocking Surprise fits well with the Scout program. It encourages observation and thinking. Scouts use their senses to figure out what’s inside their stockings. This keeps them engaged and thinking. It also gives them a chance to laugh and work together.

The game is flexible. You can change the items to fit the age group. For younger Cub Scouts, use simple items. For older Scouts, add things that are a little more challenging. This makes it easy to use in different den, patrol, or crew meetings.

You don’t need much to set it up. Just some socks, small objects, and safety pins. That makes it an easy add-on to your December meeting. It’s a fun way to end the year and send everyone home with a surprise.

Stocking Surprise is a newer take on an old tradition. For many years, people have hung stockings by the fireplace during the Christmas season. The custom comes from Europe. Children would wake up to find small gifts or treats inside their stockings. These were often oranges, candy, or small toys. The idea was simple—give something fun and unexpected.

Over time, this tradition spread to many parts of the world. Stockings became a normal part of Christmas celebrations. In some places, the surprises were left by Saint Nicholas or another holiday figure. The mystery of not knowing what was inside made it fun. That same idea is what makes the Stocking Surprise game so enjoyable today.

This game doesn’t have a long history of its own, but it uses ideas that are familiar. Guessing what’s in a stocking is something many kids already do at home. This turns it into a group activity. It brings in the mystery and fun, but with a little more structure. It works well for Scouts because it encourages careful thinking and observation.

You can also connect this game to the idea of using your senses. Scouts will smell, shake, and feel their stocking before they guess. That can lead to a good discussion, especially for younger Scouts. What clues did they use? Were they right or wrong? What helped them figure it out?

Stocking Surprise is fun, but it also brings people together. Everyone gets curious. Everyone wants to guess. And everyone gets a little prize at the end. That makes it a win for holiday meetings, family events, or any group that wants to share some cheer.

Stocking Surprise might look like just a fun game, but Scouts can learn a lot while playing. They use their senses and their brains to solve a small mystery. This helps build observation and reasoning skills. Scouts need to think carefully and make good guesses based on what they feel, hear, or smell.

This game also gives Scouts a chance to practice being trustworthy and kind. No peeking. No swapping stockings. Everyone plays fair and respects each other. That ties into the Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy and kind. Remind your Scouts to treat each other with respect, even if someone guesses wrong.

Younger Scouts like Lions, Tigers, or Wolves will enjoy simple items like crayons, toy animals, or stickers. For this age group, use fewer items and keep them easy to guess. Let them take turns with help from a leader or parent. Keep the game moving so they don’t get restless.

For older Cub Scouts, you can use trickier objects. Try rubber bands, small tools, or plastic animals. Let them write down guesses before the big reveal. For youth in Scouts BSA or Venturing, you can make the game more challenging. Use harder-to-identify items or set a time limit for guessing.

This is also a good chance to practice patience. Everyone has to wait for the reveal. That can be hard, especially for younger Scouts. But learning to wait their turn and enjoy the game together builds character. You might even see some teamwork as they compare guesses and try to figure things out together.

No matter the age group, Stocking Surprise gets Scouts thinking and sharing. It’s simple, fun, and fits well with Scout values.

Materials Needed:

• One clean sock or small stocking per player
• 4 to 5 small, non-breakable items per stocking
• Safety pins or twist ties to close each sock
• Paper and pencils (optional, for writing guesses)

Setup Instructions:

1. Choose 4 to 5 small objects for each sock. Try to pick items that feel different from each other.
2. Put the items inside the sock. Keep the same items for all socks, or make each sock different.
3. Pin or tie the sock closed so nobody can peek.
4. Keep a list of what is in each sock, in case someone forgets or gets mixed up.

How to Play:

1. Give one sock to each player.
2. Tell them not to open it.
3. Let them touch, feel, shake, and smell the sock to guess what is inside.
4. If using paper, have them write down their guesses.
5. After everyone is done guessing, gather the group.
6. Have all players open their socks at the same time.
7. Go over the correct answers and see who guessed the most right.

Variations and Tips:

• For younger Scouts, use easy-to-guess items like a crayon or toy car.
• For older Scouts, use trickier items like a binder clip or small puzzle piece.
• To make it a team game, pair up Scouts and let them guess together.
• Make sure all items are safe and clean. Do not use sharp or messy items.
• Remind Scouts not to force or break the sock. If they can’t tell, that’s OK. It’s just for fun.

This game works well for groups of any size. It’s easy to prepare and fun to reveal the surprises at the end.

Printable instructions for How to Run the Stocking Surprise Game

More Games

Stocking Surprise is just one fun idea for a Scout meeting or party. If you’re looking for more games to keep your Scouts active and engaged, check out my list of Games for Scouts. You’ll find simple games that work well indoors or outside, with small groups or large ones. Many of these games need little or no equipment and are easy to set up.

I’ve used these games with Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and even Venturers. Some are good for burning off energy, while others help with teamwork or problem solving. If your den or patrol enjoys Stocking Surprise, they’ll probably like some of the other games too. You can find the full list here: Games for Scouts.

The Importance of Games in Scouting

What kind of items should I put in the stockings?

Use small, non-breakable items. Try things like crayons, toy cars, rubber balls, erasers, or small tools. Avoid anything sharp, sticky, or messy.

Can I use the same items in every stocking?

Yes. Using the same items keeps it fair. But you can also mix it up for more mystery. Just keep track of what’s in each one.

What age group is this game best for?

This game works well for all ages. Just adjust the items based on the group. Use simple items for younger Scouts and harder ones for older Scouts.

Do Scouts work in teams or alone?

Either way works. Younger Scouts may do better with partners. Older Scouts can play on their own or in teams.

How long does the game take?

The game usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You can make it shorter or longer depending on the group size.

Is this game safe?

Yes, as long as you use safe items. Don’t use glass or anything that could break. Make sure the socks are clean and closed securely.

Stocking Surprise is a fun holiday game that fits well into Scout meetings or parties. Each Scout gets a sock filled with mystery items. They use their senses to guess what’s inside without looking. This keeps everyone curious and involved.

The setup is simple. Fill socks with small, safe items and close them tightly. Use the same items in each sock, or mix them up. Either way, it keeps Scouts thinking and guessing. When it’s time, everyone opens their sock and sees if their guesses were right.

This game helps Scouts work on observation and thinking. It also gives them a chance to be honest, fair, and kind—key parts of the Scout Law. You can use it with any age group. Just change the items based on age and skill level.

It’s a great way to end a meeting or add fun to a party. And everyone gets to take home a small surprise.