10 Family Games for Nights of Lights
Interactive games for kids to explore the holiday magic around every corner.
There's something truly magical about watching your children's faces light up as they explore America's oldest city during Nights of Lights. For over three decades, the beloved holiday event has created unforgettable family memories, and the secret to making your visit even more special? Turning your stroll into an adventure.
These family-friendly games spark imagination, encourage exploration, and create those priceless moments of laughter and joy that your family will talk about for years to come. Here, you'll find activities to add to the fun of Nights of Lights. And the best part? There's no preparation or materials required, just a sprinkling of curiosity and a dash of holiday cheer.
1. Christmas Carol Countdown
How to Play: As you stroll through town, take turns naming Christmas songs. But here's the twist: you can only name songs that would fit the scene around you. Songs about lights, stars, winter nights, or walking through town work perfectly. "Silent Night" when you're near the peaceful Plaza, or "Silver Bells" on a busy shopping street.
Extra Challenges:
- Make it musical by actually singing a line or two from each song.
- See how many different carolers you can spot and join in with them.
- Name only the songs you hear carolers, musicians, or radios playing.
Pro Tip: The last person to name a song has to lead everyone in singing "Jingle Bells" out loud!
2. Christmas ABCs
How to Play: This is the classic road trip alphabet game with a holiday twist! Go through the alphabet, finding Christmas and winter-themed things around you. ("A" for Angel, "B" for Bell, "C" for Candy Cane). You can spot them in decorations, on signs, in shop windows, on menus, on clothing, or even in the architecture of the historic buildings.
Tricky Letters: Q, X, and Z are always tough! Get creative—"Q" for Queen (like on a Christmas card in a shop window), "X" for Xmas, or "Z" for "Zig-zag" (if you find lights arranged in that pattern).
Team Version: Work together as a family to get through the whole alphabet, or split into teams and race to Z first. Bonus points if you can find Santa or the Grinch.
3. Pattern Detective
How to Play: Search for different light patterns as you explore. Can you find lights arranged in: circles, stars, spirals, waves, stripes, or hearts? Snap a photo of each pattern you discover.
Bonus Round: Create your own pattern categories like "dripping icicle lights" or "wrapped tree trunks" and see who can spot the most examples.
4. Christmas Story
How to Play: Each person takes turns creating one sentence of a story inspired by what they see. Maybe the lights on the Bridge of Lions are actually magical Christmas fairies or the holiday wishes of children around the world. Maybe the glowing fountain is where wishes come true. Maybe the bakery has a secret portal to the North Pole. Build the story together as you walk, with each person adding their own playful twists along the way.
Fun Twist: The story must include three things you've actually seen on your walk, like a palm tree wrapped in lights, a horse-drawn carriage, or the Castillo de San Marcos.
5. The Memory Game
How to Play: Pick a stretch of street (like a single block of St. George Street). Walk through it once, with everyone paying close attention to the displays. Then stop and take turns naming specific things you remember seeing, but you can't repeat something someone else already said.
Score Points: Give yourself one point for each unique detail you remember. First person to 10 points wins!
6. Art Journal
How to Play: Similar to the last game, have your children name or remember things they see throughout the night. The next day, have them draw a picture of everything they remember exactly how they remember it. You'll be surprised how much they remember, and maybe even see their imagination take over. They'll have fun creating their own art journal of your trip, and you'll have a free keepsake to cherish.
7. Santa's Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Create a checklist of specific things to find during your visit. Here are some ideas to spot:
- A decoration shaped like a snowflake
- Lights reflected in water
- An archway made of lights
- A horse wearing holiday decorations
- Someone proposing (it happens a lot during Nights of Lights!)
- A nativity scene
- The tiniest light display you can find
DIY Bonus: Create a bingo-style card (or have your children make and decorate their own) to use as a checklist.
9. Light Math
How to Play (for older kids): Pick a tree or building and estimate: If each strand of lights has about 100 bulbs, and you can count 8 strands, how many lights total? Practice estimation, multiplication, and addition while enjoying the displays.
Younger Kids Version: Simply practice counting by 10s or 5s as you spot light strands or decorations.
10. Secret Codeword
How to Play: Before you head out, each family member picks a holiday codeword. Whenever someone hears their word in a Christmas carol, overhears it in conversation, or spots it on a sign, menu, or decoration, they have to complete a silly task.
Fun Challenge Ideas:
- Wear a reindeer nose until someone else's codeword is called
- Do your best Santa belly laugh ("Ho ho ho!")
- Speak in rhymes until someone else's codeword is called
- Do your best impression of a reindeer (antler hands required!)
- Recite "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" from memory (as much as you know!)
- Strike a pose like you're a department store mannequin for 10 seconds
Strategy Tip: Choose words that are common enough to be fun but not SO common that you're doing challenges every two minutes. "Christmas" might be too easy, but "gingerbread" could be just right!
Before You Go
Remember to dress warmly, bring a camera, and maybe pack some snacks for between games. The best part about these games? They work anywhere, no matter if you're walking, riding, or sailing through St. Augustine's Nights of Lights.
The magic of Nights of Lights isn't just in the twinkling bulbs. It's in the memories you create together. So pick a game, gather your family, and start making memories.
