Christmas and the holiday season are here. How do you plan to make the maximum of the season with your whole family and friends? The best answer is to play games. The Christmas season is the time to reflect, learn, relax, and enjoy. When you gather with family members and loved ones, games can help you break the ice and unbox the real joy of the festival.
There should be something for everyone: kids, adults, and elders. What games are the best? I am giving you 30 Christmas games ideas to pick from. I have divided them into Christmas games for families, adults, and kids to help you make a better choice. So, instead of just singing Christmas songs, here’s a list of fun holiday games you must explore.
30 Fun Christmas Games for 2024
Game Category | Game Name | Fun Factor |
Christmas Games for Families | Gingerbread House Competition | Encourages creativity and teamwork |
Charades | Hilarious acting and guessing | |
Family Feud Christmas Edition | Fun trivia and lively debates | |
Christmas Bingo | Inclusive and easy-to-play | |
Christmas Word Scramble | Educational and entertaining | |
Snowman Bowling | Combines creativity and physical activity | |
Oven Mitts Unwrap | Hilarious unwrapping challenge | |
Ornament Guessing Game | Simple and interactive guessing game | |
Toilet Paper Snowman | Creative and laughter-filled | |
Christmas Games for Adults | Secret Santa | Thoughtful and surprising gift exchange |
Junk in the Trunk | Active and hilarious physical challenge | |
Christmas Would You Rather | Sparks lighthearted and funny conversations | |
White Elephant | Gift exchange with a humorous twist | |
Christmas Movie Bingo | Interactive watching game | |
Sweater Contest | Funny and creative fashion competition | |
Christmas Movie Drinking Game | Combines holiday movies with a drinking twist | |
Mad Dog | Fun and fast-paced dexterity challenge | |
Rubber Band Marksman | Tests accuracy and reflexes | |
Winter Wind | High-energy balloon and cup challenge | |
Cup Stack | Speed and coordination test | |
Christmas Games for Kids | Christmas Tree Ornament Sort | Combines sorting skills with holiday fun |
How Old Is Santa? | Encourages creativity and imagination | |
Christmas Mad Libs | Turns stories into laugh-out-loud moments | |
Candy Cane Hunt | A festive twist on the Easter egg hunt | |
Paper Tower | Patience and precision game | |
Find the Christmas Pickle | Fun scavenger hunt with quirky holiday roots | |
Pin the Nose on Rudolph | Classic party game with a holiday twist | |
Toy Touchdown | Energetic and team-oriented | |
Blow Bubble | Fun and lighthearted outdoor skill challenge | |
Christmas Trivia Question | Tests holiday knowledge in a fun way |
Christmas Games for Families
Christmas games for families are all about bonding and creating joyful memories together. These games encourage collaboration, laughter, and friendly competition.
Interested in real money gaming? You can also try these top iPhone Games That Pay Real Money.
1. Gingerbread House Competition
Number of Players: 2–10 (individuals or teams)
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Build and decorate the best gingerbread house
Materials Needed: Gingerbread house kits or homemade pieces
Game Type: Creative competition
Get your creative juices flowing with a Gingerbread House Competition! We included this in “Christmas games for families” because the gameplay is simple and suitable for all ages during the holiday season.
Gameplay: Each individual or team receives a gingerbread house kit or homemade pieces. The goal is to design and decorate the most festive and imaginative gingerbread house within the time limit. Candy, frosting, and sprinkles are must-haves!
Win/End: Participants vote on categories like “Most Creative” or “Most Festive.” The fun comes from the artistic process and friendly competition, not just from winning.
2. Charades
Number of Players: 4–10+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Act out holiday phrases or themes for others to guess
Materials Needed: Holiday-themed prompts
Game Type: Acting and guessing
Holiday Charades are common among Christmas games where players act out Christmas-themed words or phrases without speaking.
Gameplay: Teams take turns. One player silently acts out prompts like “Santa sliding down a chimney” while teammates guess. A timer adds urgency and keeps players on their toes.
Win: The team with the most correct guesses wins. This interactive game is guaranteed to bring energy to your Christmas party nights.
3. Family Feud Christmas Edition
Number of Players: 6–10+ (teams)
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Guess the top survey answers to holiday-related questions
Materials Needed: Pre-prepared questions and a scoreboard
Game Type: Trivia
Family Feud Christmas Edition transforms the TV game into a holiday trivia showdown! Teams compete to name the most popular Christmas-related answers.
Gameplay: A host presents questions like “Name Santa’s reindeer” or “Favorite Christmas movie.” Teams alternate guessing answers from a pre-surveyed list. Points are awarded based on the popularity of the answers.
Win: After several rounds, the team with the most points wins. Include this in your family Christmas games, which bring laughs, quick thinking, and lively debates to any holiday gathering.
4. Christmas Bingo
Number of Players: 2–10+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Complete a line or full board with Christmas-themed items
Materials Needed: Bingo cards and markers
Game Type: Probability, Reflex
Who doesn’t love Bingo? The list of Christmas games for families is incomplete without it. Play with your family members or friends (extended family); Christmas Bingo is a specially curated game for the festival.
Gameplay: Just as in traditional Bingo, each player receives a holiday-themed Bingo card with items like “Snowman” or “Stocking.” The host calls out clues, and players mark their cards.
Win: The first to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins (You can introduce new patterns for more scope.) Whether you’re looking for family Christmas games or Christmas games for adults, Christmas Bingo is the best pick ever for the season.
You can also create your own Christmas Bingo Cards just like this Thanksgiving Bingo Game With Printable Bingo Cards.
5. Christmas Word Scramble
Number of Players: 2–8+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Unscramble holiday-themed words
Materials Needed: Word scramble sheets
Game Type: Word game
The Christmas Word Scramble makes the cut if you search for fun Christmas games plus education. You might already be aware of word games, which makes grasping these holiday games simple. It challenges players to unscramble holiday-related words. It’s perfect for word enthusiasts.
Gameplay: Players receive a list of scrambled words like “Lonecs” (Sleigh) or “Tsmiletooe” (Mistletoe). The challenge is to unscramble them within a time limit.
The player who solves the most wins. Receive bonus points for finishing early or solving tricky words!
6. Snowman Bowling
Number of Players: 2–8+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Knock down snowman pins with a ball
Materials Needed: Snowman pins and ball
Game Type: Physical game
Snowman Bowling once again promises fun Christmas games but with art in this case. Here, you aim to create snowman pins and knock them down for a festive twist on bowling.
Gameplay: Players use lightweight balls to topple snowman-shaped pins. Each player gets two tries per turn.
Win: The player with the highest score wins. Pick this game only when you’re prepared for physical exercise!
7. Oven Mitts Unwrap
Number of Players: 2–10+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Unwrap gifts while wearing oven mitts
Materials Needed: Gifts and oven mitts
Game Type: Dexterity game
The Christmas season obliges you to give and receive gifts, and unwrapping them is a festival in itself. The game Oven Mitts Unwrap adds humor and challenge to opening gifts.
The gameplay involves players wearing oven mitts and racing to unwrap gifts. The added difficulty creates hilarious moments. The first to unwrap their gift wins. Trust me, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for everyone and one of the most entertaining family Christmas games.
8. Ornament Guessing Game
Number of Players: 3+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Guess the number of ornaments on the tree
Materials Needed: Christmas tree with ornaments
Game Type: Estimation
The Ornament Guessing Game is very intuitive and physical. If you’ve planned a holiday gathering with your whole family or friends, try organizing the game.
Gameplay: Guests guess the total number of ornaments on the tree. Each guess is written down.
Win: The player with the closest guess wins. It’s easy to set up and adds a festive touch to any gathering. Moreover, why can’t you organize some show-offs as part of Christmas game ideas?
9. Toilet Paper Snowman
Number of Players: 4–20 (teams of 2+)
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Wrap a teammate in toilet paper to create a snowman within the time limit
Materials Needed: Toilet paper, colored paper, and tape
Game Type: Creative and team-based
Toilet Paper Snowman qualifies to be among fun Christmas games like no other. It is a team game where creativity takes center stage.
Gameplay: Teams wrap one member in toilet paper to create a “snowman” and decorate them with accessories like paper hats or scarves. The best-decorated snowman wins.
Christmas Games for Adults
Christmas games for adults bring humor, strategy, and a touch of nostalgia to holiday gatherings. From hilarious drinking games to gift exchanges with a twist, they help break the ice and add spirited energy to any celebration.
10. Secret Santa
Number of Players: 3–20+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Surprise someone with a thoughtful gift
Materials Needed: Gifts assigned anonymously
Game Type: Gift exchange
Secret Santa is a classic holiday tradition with an element of mystery to gift-giving. You can use these fun Christmas games for office parties, school parties, orphanage homes, and more.
Gameplay: Participants draw names anonymously to determine who they’ll buy a gift for. Everyone sets a spending limit and, on gift exchange day, tries to guess their Secret Santa. You can also include clues about the gifter to make the game more food for thought.
Win: The game concludes when everyone exchanges gifts and guesses their Santa.
Here are more Fun Family Games To Play Online or Offline
11. Junk in the Trunk
Number of Players: 1+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Shake out ping pong balls from a box tied to your back
Materials Needed: Empty tissue box, string, and eight ping pong balls
Game Type: Active and physical
Do you want to stay active during Christmas games for adults? After all, it’s winter. Play the Junk in the Trunk game, which guarantees getting everyone moving (even sweating!) and laughing.
Gameplay: A tissue box filled with ping pong balls is strapped to each player’s back. Players wiggle and jump to empty the box within a minute. As you might expect, the fastest player wins. It’s guaranteed to have everyone in stitches.
12. Christmas Would You Rather
Number of Players: 3+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Choose between two holiday-themed scenarios
Materials Needed: Pre-written “Would You Rather” questions
Game Type: Icebreaker
Christmas Would You Rather sparks hilarious conversations with holiday-themed dilemmas. It’s a lighthearted way to get to know everyone (with the pretext of fun Christmas games?)
Gameplay: Players take turns answering fun questions like, “Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or work in Santa’s workshop?” Others can debate or guess the player’s choice, evoking laughter and joyful emotions. Guess what! There’s no real winner in the game—just endless fun.
13. White Elephant
Number of Players: 5–20+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Exchange humorous or creative gifts in a fun way
Materials Needed: Wrapped gifts
Game Type: Party game
White Elephant is a classic game of gift exchange that is common among Christmas games. White Elephant is also a great choice of fun Christmas games, as you can stimulate laughter even among thick-skinned people.
Gameplay: Players sit in a circle with wrapped gifts in the center. Numbers determine the play order. The first player selects and unwraps a gift. Now, each subsequent player can either steal an unwrapped gift or open a new one. Gifts can be stolen up to three times, making each round suspenseful. The game ends when all gifts are unwrapped.
14. Christmas Movie Bingo
Number of Players: 2–8+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Match scenes or quotes to complete a Bingo card
Materials Needed: Bingo cards with movie references
Game Type: A watching game
If you love bingo-type holiday games, check out Christmas Movie Bingo, which is similar to the Christmas Bingo we discussed. It is a part of holiday movie nights and blends the joy of watching films with a gaming context.
Gameplay: Each Bingo card has holiday movie tropes like “Snowfall” or “Santa’s Sleigh.” While watching a movie, players mark matching squares. The first player to complete a line or full card wins. Get an idea of how to distribute prizes to winners at this stage. Perhaps you can bring the Secret Santa here. You can plan the game with your whole family.
Must Try: Unique Halloween Bingo Cards For Your Next Halloween Party
15. Sweater Contest
Number of Players: 3–10+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Wear the ugliest or most creative sweater to win
Materials Needed: Sweaters and a voting system
Game Type: Fashion and Creativity
Stay warm in the fun Christmas games with the Ugly Sweater contest. You can celebrate both Winter and the festive season at once with the game. What to do? Just show off the funniest or most creative Christmas sweaters with the caveat of the gameplay.
Participants wear their best “ugly” or unique holiday sweaters. Everyone votes on categories like “Ugliest” or “Most Festive.” Winners get bragging rights or small prizes. It’s an easy way to spark laughs and bring everyone together. Better yet, it is your chance to brag if you’re wealthier.
16. Christmas Movie Drinking Game
Number of Players: 2–8
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Take a drink whenever specific cues happen in a Christmas movie
Materials Needed: Christmas movie, drinks, and customized drinking rules
Game Type: Social game
If you’re not into traditional Christmas games for adults, organize a movie night with the Christmas Movie Drinking Game! This game is best played from the coziness of your home.
Gameplay: Players take a sip whenever a specified cue occurs in a movie, like “Santa appears” or “A snowstorm starts.” Usually, an alcoholic beverage is common among adults but not mandatory.
The game lasts as long as the movie. You may choose to designate a winner. It’s all about enjoying good company and drinks—responsibly, of course!
17. Mad Dog
Number of Players: 1+
Skill Level: Hard
Objective: Shake all the Tic Tacs out of containers attached to a ruler held in your mouth.
Materials Needed: Ruler, tape, and two Tic Tac containers.
Game Type: Dexterity and endurance.
Mad Dog challenges players to shake Tic Tacs out of containers using only head movements.
Gameplay: Tic-tac boxes are taped to each end of a ruler held in the player’s mouth. There will be a time. As the clock starts, The contestant shakes their head to and fro to empty both boxes within a minute. The fastest player wins. A caution in these fun Christmas games is to replace supplies after each round for safety.
18. Rubber Band Marksman
Number of Players: 1+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Knock over a pyramid of cans using rubber bands within one minute
Materials: 6 soda cans, 50 rubber bands, and a stool.
Game Type: Accuracy challenge
If you want to infuse competitive spirit into Christmas games for adults, Rubber Band Marksman is the game for you. The game combines accuracy and quick reflexes, rewarding shrewd players.
Players aim rubber bands at a pyramid of soda cans, attempting to knock them all down in one minute. The player who clears the pyramid fastest wins. You know where fun and laughter lie in this game, right?
19. Winter Wind
Number of Players: 1+
Skill Level: Hard
Objective: Use a balloon to blow plastic cups off a table within one minute
Materials Needed: 15 plastic cups, a table, and a balloon
Game Type: Speed and precision
Winter Wind tests players’ lung power and strategy in a race to clear the table. It is a mainstream physical game that demands breathing power.
Gameplay: Players blow up balloons and use the air to push cups off a table edge. The player who clears the most cups in one-minute wins. The game is so enthralling that you might wanna play it forever. But then, there is a timer to follow!
20. Cup Stack
Number of Players: 1+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Stack and unstack cups in a specific pattern as quickly as possible
Materials Needed: 36 plastic cups, a table.
Game Type: Speed and coordination
Cup Stack is a fast-paced game that challenges players’ hand-eye coordination and focus. It’s a race against the clock to build and collapse cup pyramids with precision and speed.
Gameplay: Players start with 36 cups and must arrange them into a pyramid in one minute. Then, they must unstack them back into a single stack as quickly as possible. The timer keeps the pressure on. The fastest player wins, but everyone will enjoy the challenge!
Also Read: Top Online and Offline Fun Games To Play With Friends
Christmas Games for Kids
Kids must have the most fun for Christmas festival. Accordingly, these Christmas games for kids are designed to be fun, interactive, and educational. You will see that activities like scavenger hunts and craft-based games are especially important to include.
21. Christmas Tree Ornament Sort
Number of Players: 2–5
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Sort ornaments into their correct categories
Materials Needed: Ornaments and sorting trays
Game Type: Sorting
What better way to relish the Christmas season than with a mix of creativity and quick thinking? That’s what Christmas Tree Ornament Sort is about. It’s great for kids to practice sorting and categorizing while having holiday joy.
Gameplay: Players are given ornaments and asked to sort them by size, color, or type into trays. Time limits are set to make the game a bit challenging and edgy.
Win: The player who sorts the ornaments most accurately wins. These Christmas games are festive and educational, so make sure to allow your kids to play them.
22. How Old Is Santa?
Number of Players: 3+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Guess Santa’s age using creative or humorous logic
Materials Needed: None or optional props
Game Type: Guessing game
Fun Christmas games are okay. But if you want to test everyone’s imagination and creativity with them, select How Old Is Santa? It’s a quick game with lots of laughs.
The gameplay is straightforward: Players guess Santa’s age and back up their guesses with creative explanations or funny logic. Wrong guesses, cute answers, and interaction with kids ensure a memorable time with your kids.
Win: The funniest or most convincing answer wins. Encourage the winner with gifts; if possible, gift something to every kid.
23. Christmas Mad Libs
Number of Players: 2–8+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Fill in the blanks to create funny holiday stories
Materials Needed: Mad Libs templates or printed worksheets
Game Type: Wordplay
Christmas Mad Libs turns simple holiday stories into laugh-out-loud moments by filling blanks with silly words.
Gameplay: One player reads a story with blanks labeled (noun, verb, adjective), and others suggest random words. Once complete, the story is read aloud for a hilarious twist on the original.
Win: These fun Christmas games do not involve competition, so they are suitable for small groups or kids.
24. Candy Cane Hunt
Number of Players: 3+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Find the most hidden candy canes
Materials Needed: Candy canes and hiding spots
Game Type: Scavenger hunt
Candy Cane Hunt is well-known among Christmas game enthusiasts. However, it is not an original game. It is a festive twist on the Easter egg hunt.
Gameplay: Candy canes are hidden around the house or yard. Players race to collect the most canes within the time limit. The player with the most canes wins. As it is designed for kids, please arrange for sweet treats and cute prizes for your children.
25. Paper Tower
Number of Players: 1+
Skill Level: Hard
Objective: Build a 10-level tower using index cards within one minute
Materials Needed: 30 index cards and a flat surface
Game Type: Precision and Patience
Paper Tower challenges players to build a tall, stable structure using index cards. Yes, the game is competitive. With the proper context, you can make it a game to burst out with laughter.
Gameplay: Players use 30 cards to create a 10-level tower within a minute. You can give more time if you want. You know, a small air blow can disturb the arrangement. The game tests your patience and composition. The tallest or most complete tower wins. Include Christmas gifts to make the game rewarding. Prepared to play the game with joy rather than frustration.
26. Find the Christmas Pickle
Number of Players: 3+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Find the hidden Christmas pickle on the tree
Materials Needed: Pickle ornament and Christmas tree
Game Type: Scavenger hunt
Find the Christmas Pickle is a quirky scavenger hunt game rooted in the tradition of Fun Holiday games.
Gameplay: A pickle ornament is hidden in the Christmas tree. Players race to find it first. The game is especially fun for kids. The player who finds the pickle wins a small prize. It’s a quick, entertaining game that needs little preparation. Use the game to present gifts to your kiddos in this holiday season.
27. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Number of Players: 3–10+
Skill Level: Easy
Objective: Pin Rudolph’s nose in the correct spot while blindfolded
Materials Needed: Rudolph poster, paper noses, blindfold
Game Type: Party game
Pin the Nose on Rudolph adds a festive spin to the classic Pin the Tail on the Donkey. In the gameplay, Rudolph’s poster is hung, and each player gets a red-nose cutout. All players are blindfolded and must attempt to place the nose on Rudolph while others cheer them on.
Win: The closest nose wins! The laughter comes from the wildly misplaced noses and everyone’s playful attempts.
Also Read: Family Card Games Perfect For Your Next Family Game Night
28. Toy Touchdown
Number of Players: 4–10+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Toss toys into a basket to score points
Materials Needed: Toys and baskets
Game Type: Physical game
Toy Touchdown adds action and excitement to your holiday season. It’s great for kids and teams.
Gameplay: Players toss small toys into a basket tied to a teammate’s back. The team that scores the most in a set time wins. Expect friendly cheering from your friends and teammates; encourage them to make it. It is one of the Christmas games that infuse energy into the people.
29. Blow Bubble
Number of Players: 2+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Blow a bubble and guide it through a hula hoop without popping it
Materials Needed: Bubble mix, a wand, and a hula hoop
Game Type: Outdoor skill game
Blow Bubble is a lighthearted game that tests players’ dexterity and patience. The gameplay is that payers blow bubbles and guide them through a hula hoop without popping them. The first player to successfully pass a bubble wins. But it is not a rigid rule. You can add extra rules if you’re looking for fun Christmas games. Blow bubble is a safe alternative.
30. Christmas Trivia Questions
Number of Players: 2–10+
Skill Level: Medium
Objective: Answer holiday-themed trivia questions
Materials Needed: Prepared trivia questions
Game Type: Quiz
Test your holiday knowledge with Christmas Trivia games – one of the popular Christmas holiday games for fans of fun facts and challenges.
In this Gameplay, teams or individuals answer questions like, “Which country started the Christmas tree tradition?” or “What’s the best-selling Christmas song of all time?” Questions range from easy to tricky to keep everyone on their toes.
The player or team with the most correct answers gains victory. Christmas trivia games are a great mix of learning and friendly competition.
Here are other Memory Games For Adults that you must try!
Some Interesting Christmas Trivia Questions
Q. Which legendary monster movie actor lent his voice to the Grinch in the 1966 TV special ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’?
A. Boris Karloff
Q. Which of Santa’s reindeer was featured in a 1989 movie starring Sam Elliott?
A. Prancer
Q. What holiday was the song ‘Jingle Bells’ written initially to celebrate?
A. Thanksgiving
Q. Which well-known Christmas carol became the first song broadcast from space in 1965?
A. “Jingle Bells.”
Q. Which animated 2004 film tells the story of a train that takes children to the North Pole on Christmas Eve?
A. Polar Express
Q. Do you remember the name of Rudolph’s girlfriend in the ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ TV special?
A. Clarice
Q. To which country does Christmas Island belong?
A. Australia
Q. What three words would you use to describe the Grinch in the TV special ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’?
A. Stink, stank, stunk
Q. Saint Nicholas was born in which modern-day country?
A. Turkey
Q. In North America, what do we call wild reindeer?
A. Caribou
Q. Do you know who recorded Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and made it to the top of the U.S. charts in 1949?
A. Gene Autry
The list of Christmas trivia questions can be endless. You can find a good list for free online. Download, print, and use them.
Wrapping Up
As you plan your holiday festivities with these exciting Christmas games, remember to set the mood with festive music, colorful lighting, and treats. Pair each game with thematic snacks, such as hot cocoa during Bingo or cookies during Trivia. You can customize these games with more rules or prizes to reflect your family’s traditions and make the experience even more personal. The true joy of Christmas games lies in the memories you create together. Make this holiday season indelible with moments that matter!
FAQs
What are the 12 games of Christmas for families?
The 12 games of Christmas for families mostly include festive favorites like Christmas Bingo, Charades, Pin the Nose on Rudolph, Christmas Trivia, Gingerbread House Competition, Candy Cane Hunt, Ornament Guessing Game, Holiday Pictionary, White Elephant, Christmas Mad Libs, Sweater Contest, and Snowman Bowling. But there are 40+ holiday games you can explore.
What is the bad Santa Christmas game for families?
Bad Santa is a variation of the Secret Santa game. Instead of each person receiving a specific gift, all the gifts are pooled together. Guests take turns unwrapping the often silly or useless presents, creating laughter and playful moments. The fun lies in the surprises and reactions!
How do we include games in these Christmas season days?
To bring Christmas games onto your table, you can organize family game nights with holiday-themed activities or integrate games into your traditions. For example, play after dinner or during gift exchanges. Take a holiday off your regular activities and dedicate time to game sessions. Try one of the 30 games discussed here, or develop your own. Holiday games are an important medium for infusing the festive spirit into people.
What are the best activities to do for Christmas?
For the best Christmas activities, try the following:
- Bring an Xmas tree and decorate it with lights and ornaments.
- Bake cookies in festive shapes.
- Host Christmas game nights to maximize fun.
- Watch holiday movies and Carol together.
- Exchange gifts and craft ornaments.
- Attend local Christmas events.
- Enjoy quality time with family members and loved ones.