This post shows you 40 Best Family Christmas Game Ideas.
Christmas is the time of year when the world seems to slow down and the air fills with joy, laughter, and the warmth of family. It’s when kids’ eyes light up with excitement, adults indulge in holiday treats, and everyone gathers to celebrate traditions old and new. But Christmas isn’t just about the presents under the tree or the delicious food. It’s about creating memories that last a lifetime. One of the best ways to bring the family closer and make everyone smile is with fun holiday games.
Family Christmas games are a wonderful way to bring out the playful spirit in everyone, from the youngest cousin to the oldest grandparent. These games encourage laughter, teamwork, and just a little bit of friendly competition. They range from traditional classics with a holiday twist to new games sure to become family favorites. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, gather your family, and dive into these 40 amazing Christmas game ideas that everyone will enjoy. Each game is explained with a story or a reason why it’s great, so you can find the perfect ones for your family this holiday season.
40 BEST FAMILY CHRISTMAS GAME IDEAS
1. Christmas Charades
Charades is always a hit, but when you add holiday-themed words, it’s even more fun. Write down phrases like “decorating the Christmas tree,” “singing carols,” or “building a snowman” on pieces of paper, and have players act them out. Watching family members mime Santa squeezing down a chimney or attempting to show “drinking hot chocolate” brings endless laughs. This game is fantastic for breaking the ice and letting everyone’s creativity flow.
2. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Similar to “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” this game involves blindfolding players and seeing if they can pin a red nose onto Rudolph’s face. Use a big Rudolph poster on the wall and red stickers for the noses. There’s always laughter as noses end up on Rudolph’s ears, eyes, or nowhere near his face. It’s a lighthearted game that’s easy to set up and perfect for younger kids.
3. Christmas Bingo
Who doesn’t love Bingo? Create a Christmas-themed Bingo board with symbols like snowflakes, candy canes, and Santa hats. Every time you call a symbol, players mark it on their board. The excitement builds as everyone hopes to shout “Bingo!” first. Christmas Bingo is easy to play and brings a bit of calm while still keeping the holiday spirit alive.
4. Candy Cane Hunt
Think of an Easter egg hunt, but with candy canes! Hide candy canes around the house, yard, or both. Kids, and even adults, can join in to see who finds the most. Not only does it keep everyone moving, but finding candy canes in the most unexpected spots creates priceless memories.
5. Snowman Building Competition
If you live somewhere snowy, a snowman-building contest is perfect for some outdoor fun. Divide into teams and see who can build the most creative snowman within a set time. Use scarves, hats, carrots, or whatever you can find for decorations. No snow? No problem grab some marshmallows, toothpicks, and markers for a miniature snowman-building competition indoors. It’s fun to see everyone’s ideas come to life!
6. Christmas Pictionary
Draw holiday-themed words like “reindeer,” “mistletoe,” or “Santa’s sleigh” while everyone else tries to guess. This game requires no drawing skill, making it extra funny when someone’s “Christmas elf” looks more like a stick figure. Christmas Pictionary is fast-paced and fun, bringing out the artist (or comedian) in everyone.
7. Santa Says
A holiday twist on “Simon Says,” this game is great for keeping kids entertained. Instead of “Simon Says,” use “Santa Says” to give commands like “Ho-ho-hop like a reindeer” or “Pretend to wrap a gift.” The trick is that players should only follow instructions that start with “Santa Says.” It’s a fun way to get the younger ones moving and laughing.
8. Guess the Christmas Carol
This game is perfect for music lovers. Play a few seconds of a Christmas carol and see who can guess the song first. You can make it competitive by awarding points for each correct answer. Watching everyone’s eyes light up when they recognize “Jingle Bells” or “Silent Night” makes this game a warm reminder of classic Christmas tunes.
9. Gift Wrapping Race
This game tests speed and creativity. Each player gets a box, wrapping paper, and tape, and races to wrap the “gift” as quickly (and as neatly) as possible. The winner is the one with the best-wrapped gift! It’s hilarious watching people struggle with tape and paper especially when they cut the paper too short.
10. Elf Hide-and-Seek
Hide a small elf toy somewhere in the house, and let everyone search for it. Whoever finds it first wins a prize (or the chance to hide it for the next round). The elf’s hiding spots can get very clever, making this a great game for all ages. It also adds a little Christmas magic as everyone searches for the hidden “elf.”
11. Snowball Toss
Set up buckets or containers and use cotton balls as “snowballs.” Players try to toss the snowballs into the buckets from a distance. It’s harder than it looks, and you can add challenges by varying the distance. Snowball Toss is a great game for competitive spirits and provides endless fun without any mess.
12. Christmas Movie Trivia
Test everyone’s knowledge of classic Christmas movies like Home Alone, The Grinch, and Elf. Prepare trivia questions related to famous lines, scenes, or characters. It’s fun to see who’s the true Christmas movie buff and who needs a refresher on holiday classics.
13. Build a Gingerbread House Contest
Each team gets a gingerbread house kit or graham crackers with frosting and candy. The challenge? Build and decorate the best gingerbread house. This is a fantastic game that lets everyone’s creativity shine. Plus, the whole family gets to snack on their creations afterward!
14. Ornament Guessing Game
Place several ornaments of different shapes in a bag and let players feel them (without looking) to guess what they are. This is a surprisingly tricky game, especially with unusual or oddly shaped ornaments. It’s a fun test of touch and holiday knowledge.
15. Reindeer Ring Toss
Set up some reindeer antlers (real or as a headband) and use small rings for tossing. Players take turns trying to land the rings on the antlers. It’s a simple yet challenging game that brings out the competitive side in everyone!
16. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of Christmas-related items (a candy cane, Santa hat, or holiday card) and send players around the house to find them. It’s a fun and active game that gets everyone exploring and searching for festive objects.
17. Holiday Headbands
Write down Christmas-related words like “elf,” “Christmas tree,” or “snowman” on index cards, and tape one to each player’s forehead. The player has to ask yes-or-no questions to guess what’s on their card. This game is funny and gets everyone thinking and laughing together.
18. Christmas Sock Toss
Hang up Christmas stockings and use small beanbags or even wrapped candies as tossing items. Players take turns trying to toss their items into the stockings from a set distance. This simple game keeps everyone entertained and gives the stockings a fun twist.
19. Christmas Tree Balancing Act
Use plastic cups, small boxes, or even paper to create stacks in the shape of a Christmas tree. The challenge is to see who can build the tallest tree without it falling over. This game gets tricky, but it’s a great way to get everyone involved and bring out some competitive fun.
20. Wrap the Mummy
In this game, one person on each team is the “mummy,” and the other team members race to wrap them up with toilet paper as fast as possible. It’s a hilarious sight as everyone scrambles to wrap their teammate, and it makes for some fun photo ops!
21. Pass the Ornament
Sit in a circle and pass an ornament around using only a spoon. If you drop it, you’re out! The last person remaining is the winner. This game combines balance, concentration, and lots of laughs, especially when the ornament drops unexpectedly.
22. Santa’s Hat Toss
Using a Santa hat and small bean bags, players try to toss the bags into the hat from a distance. It’s surprisingly challenging and a lot of fun for both kids and adults. Keep score and see who has the best aim in the family.
23. Christmas Tree Bowling
Set up empty soda bottles decorated like Christmas trees and use a small ball as a “snowball” for bowling. Try to knock down as many trees as possible! This is a great game for indoors, and you can adjust the difficulty by changing the distance.
24. Holiday Sticker Stalker
Give each player a sheet of holiday stickers. The goal is to stick your stickers onto others without them noticing. At the end of the game, the person with the fewest stickers on them wins. This game is sneaky and hilarious, especially when people finally notice stickers on them!
25. Name That Holiday Scent
Gather various holiday-scented items like pine, cinnamon, peppermint, and hot cocoa. Blindfold players and have them guess the scent. This sensory game is fun, and it’s amazing how distinctive holiday smells are!
26. Reindeer Relay Race
Divide into teams and use scarves or ribbons to create “reins.” One person is the “reindeer,” and the other is the “driver.” Teams race through a course, switching roles halfway. It’s a silly, energetic game that gets everyone moving and laughing.
27. Snowflake Cutting Contest
Give each person a piece of white paper and scissors, and see who can make the most beautiful or creative snowflake. You can add a twist by voting on categories like “Most Unique” or “Most Realistic.” Everyone gets to keep a souvenir of their creation.
28. Hot Chocolate Relay
Set up a relay race where each team has to “prepare” a cup of hot chocolate. Place stations with cups, marshmallows, chocolate powder, and candy canes, and have players race to add each item to their cup. The first team to finish wins and you get a tasty treat at the end!
29. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest
Everyone gets a plain cookie, frosting, and decorations, and the challenge is to make the best Christmas cookie design. Have a taste test or vote on categories like “Most Festive” or “Best Colorful Creation.” It’s a delicious and creative game for all ages.
30. Christmas Freeze Dance
Play some holiday tunes and have everyone dance. When the music stops, players must freeze in place. Anyone who moves is out until the next round. This game brings giggles and allows everyone to show off their favorite dance moves.
31. Holiday Mad Libs
Create Christmas-themed Mad Libs and let everyone take turns filling in the blanks. The stories end up silly and often hilarious, perfect for a few laughs around the holiday table.
32. Gift Stack Challenge
Stack as many gift boxes as you can without them falling. Each person adds one box at a time, making it harder as the stack grows taller. This game tests patience and balance, and it’s a lot of fun seeing who can go the highest.
33. Christmas Carol Pictionary
Write down holiday carol titles on slips of paper and play a version of Pictionary. Players must draw their carol while others try to guess it. It’s harder than it sounds, but seeing everyone try to draw “Silent Night” or “Jingle Bells” always leads to laughs.
34. Present Unwrapping with Mittens
Choose a gift and have each person take turns unwrapping it while wearing mittens or gloves. It’s surprisingly tricky! Whoever manages to fully unwrap it wins the prize inside, making it a fun mix of anticipation and competition.
35. Santa Limbo
Put on some holiday music and play limbo using a decorated candy cane pole or a long stick wrapped in holiday paper. Everyone tries to go lower and lower, adding a funny and physical twist to your Christmas game lineup.
36. Christmas Memory Game
Place several holiday items (like ornaments, candy canes, bells, etc.) on a tray and give everyone a few seconds to memorize them. Then, cover the tray and remove one item. See who can guess what’s missing. It’s a fun test of memory, and you can make it as challenging as you like.
37. Holiday Trivia
Create a trivia game filled with Christmas questions: holiday history, movie quotes, Christmas traditions, and carols. It’s a great way to test everyone’s Christmas knowledge and learn something new, too!
38. Gingerbread Man Says
This is a holiday twist on “Simon Says.” The leader is the Gingerbread Man, who calls out actions like “jump like an elf” or “tiptoe like Santa.” Players only follow commands that start with “Gingerbread Man says.” It’s fun and gets everyone moving.
39. Christmas Storytelling Relay
Sit in a circle and have one person start a Christmas story with one sentence. Each person adds to the story, and it goes around until you reach an ending. The stories end up silly and surprising, and it’s a great way to be creative as a group.
40. Holiday Spelling Bee
Have a Christmas-themed spelling bee with words like “mistletoe,” “reindeer,” and “gingerbread.” It’s perfect for kids who love a challenge, and it adds an educational twist to the festivities!
Christmas games like these turn moments into memories. They’re a fantastic way to keep everyone entertained and engaged, making sure the holiday spirit fills your home with joy, laughter, and togetherness. Gather your loved ones, pick a few of these games, and get ready for the best Christmas yet.
