These Family Christmas Games Will Get Everyone in the Holiday Spirit
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The holiday season is a time for joy, peace, and gathering with your loved ones—but there's always room for a little friendly competition, too! Perhaps you and your family have an annual white elephant gift exchange or have fun hiding the Elf on the Shelf all around your home. (Check out our collection of funny Elf on the Shelf ideas for even more hilarious places to put him!) These are some classics, but there are dozens of other festively fun Christmas games that are just as enjoyable for kids and adults alike.
Most of these games are based on classics that you play every day, like Scattergories and Jeopardy but with some extra holiday flair. A round of Reindeer Antler Ring Toss, Christmas Name That Tune, or "How Old Is Santa?" is fun for kids of all ages! Some of these Christmas activities even come with a handy-dandy free printable. No matter which game format you prefer—guessing games, memory games, movie references, or quizzing each other on Christmas trivia—there's guaranteed to be something for everyone on this list. Whether you want to put together a DIY Christmas game or buy something online, all of the Christmas games on this list will entertain you and your family this December.
Turn on your favorite Christmas music, slip into your matching Christmas PJs, and let the fun begin! Christmas game night might even turn into a longstanding family Christmas tradition.
Cookies for Santa Game
Look, Mrs. Claus, no hands! Each player must wear a Santa beard, place a cookie on their forehead, and try to get it into their mouth using only their facial muscles. Whoever can complete the challenge first, wins!
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Reindeer Scramble
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen...and that will help you solve this reindeer scramble! Make two teams and tell players that they will be spelling all of the reindeer names. The first team to unscramble and form all nine reindeer names wins!
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
Santa Says
Santa says... touch your nose! This twist on the popular game Simon Says will have your little ones doing fun Christmas-themed actions like pretending to cut down a Christmas tree and having a play snowball fight.
Get the tutorial at The Resourceful Mama.
Christmas Guess Who?
This is a great game for the whole family! Each player will place an index card containing a Christmas icon's name on their forehead and get clues from other players to guess who they are.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Toss
To play this minute to win it game, place six mugs in a triangular formation at the end of a table. Ask players to stand at the other end of the table and attempt to toss a marshmallow into each mug in under a minute. No matter who wins, there will be plenty of hot cocoa to go around at the end!
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Guess That Christmas Smell
From peppermints to pine needles to cocoa powder, Christmas is filled with so many delicious scents. To play this holiday guessing game, bottle your favorite Christmas smells, blindfold each player, and have them guess what the mystery objects are.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
TableTopics Holiday Conversation Pack
Get the whole family chatting and laughing with this pack of holiday-inspired conversation starters. It's also a great way to get to know each other even better!
TableTopics Holiday Conversation Pack
amazon.com
$20.00
AmazonCandy Cane Hook 'Em Game
Here's a game that'll really hook you and your family! It involves using your mouth to link together candy canes and transfer them into a bowl. Any player who can successfully move five candy canes in under one minute scores up to five points.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
How Old Is Santa?
We know where Santa lives and the names of his trusty reindeer—but does anyone really know how old he is? That's the question you'll seek to answer when you play this cute game using table tennis balls and a pair of old rain boots.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
Ghosts of Christmas Board Game
You'll meet the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future when you play this time-traveling adventure game. Up to four players can participate so it's perfect for a family or friend group of four!
Ghosts of Christmas Board Game
amazon.com
$24.00
AmazonShave Santa's Beard
Everyone loves Santa's signature white beard, but you'll give him a whole new look with this minute to win it game! To play, each team will have a barber and Santa and compete to see who can "shave" their Santa the fastest.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Tired of being cooped up in the house for Christmas? Bundle up and head outdoors for a fun holiday scavenger hunt that will take you all around your neighborhood.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY!.
Gift Grab Game
White Elephant gift exchanges can get out of hand fast. To bring a little order to the chaos, try this Gift Grab game that lets the dice decide whether you can keep, trade, or return your gift.
Gift Grab Game
amazon.com
$21.99
AmazonInflatable Reindeer Antler Ring Toss Game
Anyone can join in this reindeer game! Kids and adults alike will enjoy wearing these antler crowns and red noses as they try to land festive rings on the tines.
Inflatable Reindeer Antler Ring Toss Game
amazon.com
$14.59
AmazonWHAT DO YOU MEME? Merry Dissmas
If your family enjoys a friendly roast from time to time, you'll love this mischievous game. It's all about mining your family memories for the funniest possible answers to the prompt cards.
WHAT DO YOU MEME? Merry Dissmas
amazon.com
$19.99
AmazonTrim the Tree
This ho, ho, hilarious game will put everyone's tree decorating skills to the test! Split into teams then choose one person from each group to be the tannenbaum. Players will race to trim their tree using crepe paper, bows, and headbands for tree toppers. The prize goes to whoever finishes first!
Get the tutorial at Mum in the Mad House.
Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Card Game
Ever played Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza? If so, you'll definitely want to try the Christmas version. If not, then your family is in for quite a treat! The super popular game is played like this: Each player takes turn flipping a card while saying one of the five holiday-themed words. As soon as there's a match between the card and spoken word, players race against each other to slap the pile of cards. The last one to do so takes all the cards. The first person to run out of cards wins the game!
Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Card Game
amazon.com
$9.99
AmazonChristmas Friendly Feud Game
Family Feud is the ultimate game of friendly competition, so you know this festive version is sure to drum up some fun during your holiday celebrations. Who knows, you might love it so much that it becomes a yearly Christmas tradition!
Christmas Friendly Feud Game
etsy.com
$7.05
PrintGoGo/EtsyChristmas Name That Tune Game
If Christmas carols are your jam, listen up! There are a few ways to play this musical guessing game. You can make a Christmas songs playlist and see who can guess each tune the fastest. Or, you can challenge each player to hum the song and then have everyone else guess!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Christmas Scattergories
Keep with the classics and turn the beloved family game into a Christmas-themed night of excitement! Scattergories is ideal for playing with your kids after Christmas dinner or as a holiday classroom game if you're a teacher.
Get the tutorial at Creations by Kara.
Christmas Jeopardy With Scoreboard
This customizable digital Christmas game based on the iconic gameshow will test your holiday knowledge with trivia-based Christmas questions. It doesn't get much better than that! (Just keep in mind that the game works best on a PC, as Macs don't have the same sounds available.)
Christmas Jeopardy With Scoreboard
etsy.com
$9.99
AcarDigitalArt/EtsyChristmas Emoji Movie Guessing Game
The kiddos will definitely love this one! On these printables, emojis are used to depict the most iconic Christmas movies. All your family members have to do is figure out which movie is represented by each set of images.
Get the tutorial at Crazy Little Projects.
Murder at the Ugly Sweater Office Holiday Party
This unique game takes a clue from well, Clue. The murder mystery will add a fun twist to your festivities as 4 to 20 players (any of whom could be the murderer) get into character using the ready-to-play printable kit. It can be played virtually or in-person.
Murder at the Ugly Sweater Office Holiday Party
etsy.com
$35.00
Broadway Mysteries/EtsyHoliday Pictionary
It's Pictionary, but made festive! For this easy game, family members will come up with Christmas characters, icons, and imagery, then write each on a slip of paper. Fold the papers and toss them in a bowl, then take turns picking one and trying to draw it.
Matching Christmas Game
If you have little ones at home, they'll love this matching game that's perfect for the holidays. Laminate the cards so you can play again next Christmas.
Get the tutorial at That's What Che Said.
Classic Christmas Bingo
You can't go wrong with a few rounds of bingo! Play this simple winter-themed game with your kids on a snowy evening.
Get the tutorial at That's What Che Said.
Save Santa! Escape Room Game. Christmas Printable Party for Kids and Families | DIY Logic Puzzle Kit
Does your family love escape rooms? Then you can't beat a special Santa rendition of the thought-provoking game.
Save Santa! Escape Room Game. Christmas Printable Party for Kids and Families | DIY Logic Puzzle Kit
etsy.com
$13.99
PrintableEscapeRoom/EtsyDon't Eat Pete Game
All you need for this game is the free printable and a bag of M&Ms. It's quick and easy, perfect to play with your kids on a snowy afternoon.
Get the tutorial at Landeelu.
Don't Eat Frosty Game
Can't get enough of this cute kid-friendly game? Try this version with snowmen instead of elves!
Get the tutorial at Creations by Kara.
Christmas Would You Rather
Looking for a game to play around the dinner table? Invite your guests to a few rounds of "Would You Rather?" using questions inspired by Christmas. Find prompt ideas here!
Ornament Guessing Game
For an easy game that anyone can play, give each guest a slip of paper and have them write down how many ornaments are on your Christmas tree. At the end of the night, whoever comes closest gets a special grand prize!
Christmas Conversation Starters
Although less of a game and more of an activity, these Christmas-themed conversation starters will make dinner much more entertaining. See who everyone's number one dinner guest would be or discover their proudest achievement!
Get the tutorial at Skip to My Lou.
Christmas Word Scramble
Challenge your kids with finding the holiday-themed words hiding in these jumbled up letters. It's a great way to kill time after you put the turkey in the oven.
Get the tutorial at Landeelu.
Elf on the Shelf Hide and Seek
Coming up with as many Elf on the Shelf ideas as possible? Add this cute hide and seek game to the list!
Get the tutorial at The Resourceful Mama.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
There's a reason why white elephant gift exchanges are so popular around the holidays—they're super fun. If you're stumped on what to buy, check out this white elephant gift guide!
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Cloth.
Christmas Movie Bingo
Here's an easy, hilarious game to play while you and your family are enjoying allll the Hallmark Christmas movies, Lifetime Christmas movies, Disney Plus Christmas movies, and Netflix Christmas movies. Download several fun Christmas movie-themed Bingo cards and play against your family members!
Download the Bingo cards here from Polka Dots & Pixie Dust.
Candy Cane Hunt
Easter gets Easter egg hunts, so why not a candy cane hunt on Christmas? This is the perfect activity to keep little ones busy!
Get the tutorial at Messy Motherhood.
Christmas Carol Quiz
Do you know all the most popular Christmas songs? Take this quiz to find out. The winner gets a prize!
Get the tutorial at The Crafting Chicks.
Santa Limbo
Limbo is tricky on its own. But when you turn the bar into a strand of string lights and make the limbo-er dress in a Santa suit, it gets even more challenging—not to mention more entertaining.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Christmas Sweater Contest
Looking for a game that's as cozy as it is entertaining? Host a Christmas sweater contest for you and your family. Whoever has the best (or ugliest!) sweater wins! Get inspired by these hilarious ugly Christmas sweaters.
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