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. 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 activities 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!
Get even more festively fun ideas:
Christmas Puzzles to Piece Together as You Await the Big Holiday
Christmas Jokes That Will Have Everyone Laughing All The Way
Christmas "Heads Up"
The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, Santa—there are so many Christmas characters to choose for this guessing game. Write them on sticky notes, then have each player place one on their forehead so they can guess who they have using hints from other players. There are also apps you can use!
Rudolph Race
Run, run, Rudolph! For this fun game, each player gets a red pom pom and a spoonful of vaseline to dip their nose in. Whoever is the first to get their pom pom onto the Rudolph picture across the room is the winner. The catch? You can't use hands!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Toy Touchdown
Imagine this one takes place right in Santa's workshop! Pair off into teams of two elves, then have one hike small toys under their legs while the other tries to catch those toys in the basket tied to their back. The first team to five wins!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Snowman Bowling
This one counts as both a craft and a game! After your kiddos finish making the snowman using tissue boxes and a few other craft items, they'll "melt" him by using the blocks as bowling pins meant to be knocked down with a ball.
Get the tutorial at Craftaholics Anonymous.
Gingerbread House Competition
If your family traditions include making gingerbread houses, make the activity even more exciting by turning it into a competition. After the decorating is done, everyone can vote on their favorite house (without choosing their own, of course!).
Jingle Bell Roll
You've heard of the "Jingle Bell Rock," but what about the jingle bell roll? To play, line up five ball ornaments at the end of a table, give each player 10 jingle bells, then watch as they roll them and attempt to knock off all five ornaments.
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Christmas Tree Ornament Sort
Here's one for the littlest hands this holiday season! To make it, use cardboard to craft a tree with circular, colored cutouts, then have the kiddos put balls through the correct spaces. It's fun and helps with categorization skills!
Get the tutorial at I Can Teach My Child.
Reindeer Antlers Ring Toss
Want to put a seasonal spin on a classic game of ring toss? One person will wear antlers while the others try to hook rings around them. You can buy rings or make your own using pipe cleaners.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do.
Christmas Freeze Dance
Take rockin' around the Christmas tree and turn it into a competition by hosting a holiday dance-off. Just turn on some Christmas tunes, start dancing, then stop when a designated player yells "freeze!" Whoever stops moving last is out.
Oven Mitts Unwrap
Unwrapping gifts is one of the simplest parts of Christmas—unless you have to wear oven mitts while doing it! This game is challenging, hillarious, and will allow everyone to take their time when opening presents.
Ornament Roll
For this one, each player gets an ornament and a gift box. Everyone must fan their gift box toward their ornament to get it to roll across the room and over the finish line—but you can't actually touch the ornament!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Candy 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.
Trim 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.
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.
Shave 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.
Christmas 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 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.
Holiday 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.
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.
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.
Don'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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