Catch the Elf: a Christmas reflex game

How to play

Click or tap an elf as soon as it pops out of a present; on a keyboard press 1–9 (on the number pad 7 8 9 is the top row) or the rows Q W E, A S D and Z X C – Tab with Space or Enter works too, and P pauses. An elf is worth 10 points and 10 more when caught in the first half of its time, and from 5 catches in a row each one counts double – a click on an empty present or an elf that gets away ends the streak. Santa is not to be caught: clicking him costs one of 3 hearts, and with none left the game is over; the gold star adds 3 seconds and 50 points. A round lasts 60 seconds; Easy has no Santa and no hearts, Normal and Fast show more characters at once, and every 10 elves caught make everything a little quicker.

For teachers: this quick game trains reflexes and hand–eye coordination and makes a good warm-up on an interactive whiteboard, with children taking turns to catch the elves. Easy has no Santa and no penalties – only the clock counts.

Fun fact: Santa's elf helpers come from 19th-century American writing – already in the poem “The Wonders of Santa Claus”, printed in 1857, elves make toys in his workshop.

Also useful

• Catch the presents: Santa’s sleigh against the coal
• Christmas bells: listen and repeat the melody
• Christmas Bubble Shooter: pop the baubles
• Reindeer Flight: Santa’s sleigh over the rooftops
• Christmas snake: Santa’s sleigh collects the presents
• Christmas memory game: match the pairs on your phone or on paper
• Christmas Four in a Row: red baubles against gold
• Christmas Tic Tac Toe: Snowman vs Tree

More on santa.haus

• Christmas quizzesTrivia and emoji puzzles, checked as you play, with sheets to print for teams.
• Christmas bingoa card of its own on each phone, a caller that draws the words, or up to 40 different cards to print.
• Party gamesCharades, “Who am I?” and fifteen one-minute games – played in teams on one phone.
• Advent calendarMake one online and send it: a door a day until Christmas Eve.
• Online Christmas cardPick a picture, write your wishes and send the card as a link. Free, no account.
• Christmas printablesColoring pages, cards, gift wrapping and decorations to cut out – print them at home, free.

Drawing names for gifts too? Secret Santa on santa.haus.