90 Hilariously Fun Family Christmas Games For Quality Bonding Time!

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Looking for ways to sleigh your family bonding this Christmas?

Once the stockings are hung and the cookies are baked, it’s time to break out the festive fun and games!

Whether young or young-at-heart, outdoorsy or indoorsy, this guide has everything you need to make this holiday season unforgettable.

From timeless classics to creative twists, we’ve got you covered with Christmas games for family that will bring joyful laughs and lifelong memories.

With Christmas board games, trivia, charades, and activities for all interests and ages – you’ll be making new traditions in no time.

Don’t forget to check out these fun Christmas game prizes.

Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of this page.

Gift Exchange Games

Gift exchange games are all about surprises, laughter, and a little friendly mischief.

Instead of just handing out presents, these games turn gift-giving into an adventure.

Whether it’s swapping, stealing, or guessing, everyone stays engaged and excited to see what they’ll end up with.

You’ve got this, holiday hero!

More Christmas-inspired posts worth a look!

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Christmas Eve Box Ideas For Kids

1 – Saran Wrap Ball Game

What You Need

• Saran Wrap or plastic wrap
  
  Put the prizes inside the gift box and start wrapping more interesting!

• Prizes
  
  Candies, toys, chocolates, little ornaments, tic tacs, gift cards, Christmas-themed earrings, socks, card deck and many more ideas for kids and adults you’ll find here.

How To Play

• Make your customized Saran Wrap ball.

• Scrunch and roll some wrap to form a ball, adding the prizes as you continue rolling. 

• The first player tries to unwrap the ball while the next player (mostly on their right) rolls the dice, aiming to roll doubles. 

• Once doubles are rolled, the ball is passed to that player and the next player rolls the dice for doubles. 

• The person unrolling the ball keeps going till the next player gets doubles for some friendly tension.

• Everyone gets to keep the goodies they unwrapped. 

• The game ends when the entire ball is unwrapped. Usually, there’s a bigger gift in the center. 

CHRISTMAS GAMES BUNDLE – INSTANT DOWNLOAD!

2 – Oven Mitts Game

What You Need

• Oven Mitt
  
• Dice

• A box

• The prizes
  
  Candy, small toys, lip balm, nuts, jelly beans, hot chocolate packet, energy bars, bouncy ball, earrings, gift cards and lots more.
  
  You may choose multiple prizes.

• Gift wrap

• Tape

SEE ALSO: Stocking Stuffers For Men

How To Play 

• Put the prizes inside the gift box and start wrapping.

• Use extra wrapping paper and tape to make the game more fun and challenging.

• With all players sitting in a big circle, the first player begins to unwrap the present wearing oven mitts.

• They cannot use their fingernails, teeth, or elbows for assistance.

• The player to their right rolls two dice for doubles (e.g. 3-3, 6-6).

• Once they roll doubles, the gift and mitts get passed to them, and the sequence goes on.

• The game ends when the present is completely unwrapped.
  
  Merry Chrismitts!

Create more family bonding time with these DIY Christmas gift ideas!

3 – Left Right Christmas Game

What You Need

• A Christmas story with the words “Left” and “Right” in it

• A small wrapped gift for each player

How To Play

• Have everyone sit in a circle, each holding one gift.

• Choose one person to read the story aloud.

• Every time the word LEFT is read, everyone must pass their gift to the left.

• Every time the word RIGHT is read, everyone must pass their gift to the right.
  
• Keep going until the story ends.
  
• The gift each person is holding at the end is the one they get to keep.

4 – White Elephant Gift Exchange / Yankee Swap / Dirty Santa

What You Need

• One wrapped gift per player (fun, quirky, or inexpensive gifts work best)

• A way to draw numbers (paper slips, cards, etc.)

How To Play

• Players bring wrapped gifts, draw numbers, and can steal gifts from others.

• All gifts are placed in the center.

• The first player picks and opens a gift.

• Open a new gift from the pile, or Steal an already opened gift from someone else.
  
• If your gift is stolen, you may open a new one or steal from another player.
  
• Each gift can only be stolen a limited number of times (commonly 3).

• The game ends when all gifts have been opened. Everyone keeps the gift they’re holding.

SEE ALSO: Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas for Your Holiday Parties

5 – Secret Santa with Clues

What You Need

• One small wrapped gift per participant
  
• Slips of paper or cards to write clues on
  
• A container or envelope for collecting the clues

How To Play

• Assign each participant a Secret Santa recipient.
  
• Instead of giving the gift right away, each Secret Santa leaves daily clues about their identity.
  
• Clues can be hidden on desks, sent as notes, or shared in simple creative ways.
  
• Continue leaving hints each day until the final reveal.
  
• At the end of the game, everyone reveals who they were gifting and presents their gift.

6 – Dice Gift Exchange

What you need

• A set of dice
  
• Wrapped gifts, one for each player
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Players sit in a circle with wrapped gifts in the center or in hand
  
• Take turns rolling the dice and follow the action (swap, steal, pass, or open)
  
• Continue until all players have unwrapped a gift
  
• Everyone goes home with a surprise gift

SEE ALSO: Most Likely To Christmas Edition

7 – Christmas Gift Auction

What you need

• Wrapped gifts, one for each player
  
• Play money or printable auction money
  
• An auctioneer (host)

How to play

• Each player receives the same amount of play money at the start
  
• The host holds up wrapped gifts one by one for auction
  
• Players bid using their play money to try to win the gift they want
  
• Continue until all gifts are gone, then unwrap to reveal the surprises

8 – Musical Gifts

What you need

• Wrapped gifts (one or more, depending on group size)
  
• A Christmas music playlist or speaker

How to play

• Players sit in a circle and pass gifts around while Christmas music plays
  
• When the music suddenly stops, holding the gift gets to unwrap it
  
• Continue until all gifts have been opened
  
• Everyone goes home with a surprise and lots of laughs

Dice Games

Sometimes the simplest games bring the biggest laughs.

Dice games are easy to learn, quick to play, and perfect for all ages around the Christmas table.

With just a pair of dice, you can turn an ordinary evening into a playful competition filled with fun memories.

1 – Christmas Beetle Game (Nativity Manger Scene)

What You Need

• Nativity Scene Components
  
  You can get a Nativity set or create one using small figurines or images representing Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, wise men, shepherds, angels, animals, and the stable.

• Dice

• A scoreboard

How To Play

• Arrange the Nativity scene components on a table where everyone can see them.

• Divide players into teams and have each member roll the dice on the team’s turn.

• Each number on the dice corresponds to one of the Nativity scene components (e.g.,1 for Mary, 2 for Joseph, 3 for baby Jesus, etc.).

• The game ends when one of the teams has collected all/most of the components. 

RELATED: Wonderful Christmas Gifts for Wonderful Moms

2 – LCR Left Center Right Dice Game

What You Need

• LCR dice game

How To Play

• Each player brings $3-$5 to use instead of the game chips.

• Follow this when you roll the dice:
  
  • L: Give a dollar to the player on the left
    
  • R: Give a dollar to the one on the right
    
  • C: Put a dollar in the middle
    
  • •: Keep a dollar

• The last person with a dollar wins the entire amount in the center.

3 – Eat-The-Chocolate Game

What you Need

• A big bar of chocolate

• Fork and Knife

• Gloves

• Scarf

• Hat

• Dice

How To Play

• Sitting in a circle with all things in the middle, each player needs to roll a 6 and then quickly wear the scarf, hat, and gloves and use the fork and knife to cut the chocolate.

• The goal is to eat as much chocolate before someone else rolls a 6, where the entire sequence is given to them.

• The game continues until the chocolate is finished.

4 – Christmas Bunco

What You Need

• At least 12 players, divided into groups of four
  
• Three dice for each table
  
• Bunco score sheets and pens
  
• A bell or buzzer for the main table
  
• Small prizes for winners

How To Play

• Players are divided into tables of four, with each table rolling three dice
  
• Everyone tries to roll the number that matches the current round (round 1 = ones, round 2 = twos, etc.)
  
• Each matching number rolled earns points; rolling three of a kind of the target number is a “Bunco” and scores the highest points
  
• The bell rings when someone at the head table rolls a Bunco, and all tables stop that round
  
• Players rotate tables and partners after each round, keeping track of their own scores
  
• At the end of all rounds, prizes are awarded for categories like most Buncos, highest score, or even lowest score

5 – Roll A Reindeer Dice Game

What You Need

• 1 game board (Roll A Reindeer sheet/board)
  
• 1 standard six-sided dice
  
• Reindeer pieces: head, body, 2 antlers, scarf, and hat (or use paper/printouts if DIY)
  
• At least 2 players (but works for groups too!)

How To Play

• Place the board and pieces in the center.
  
• Players take turns rolling the dice: 1 = Head, 2 = Body, 3 = Antler 1, 4 = Scarf, 5 = Hat, 6 = Antler 2.
  
• Build your reindeer in order: Body first, then Head, then the rest.
  
• Skip your turn if you roll a part you already have.
  
• The first to complete their reindeer wins.

25 FUN CHRISTMAS GAMES PRINTABLES

Minute to Win It Games

These quick and silly challenges are perfect for bringing energy to your Christmas gathering.

With just everyday household items, players race against the clock to complete funny tasks in under a minute.

It’s fast, chaotic, and guaranteed to spark laughter and holiday cheer.

1 – The Jingle Bell Shake

What You Need

• Empty Tissue Box

• 10 jingle bells

• Timer

• Music (optional)

How To Play

• Make two holes in a tissue box.

• Using a rope or ribbon, secure it around the player’s back.

• Place the jingle bells inside the box.

• With the music playing, have the player shake/dance all the jingle bells out for a minute.

• The player with the most bells out wins.

2 – Reindeer Antler Ring Toss Game

What You Need

• Inflatable Reindeer Antler ring toss set

How To Play

• Inflate the entire set.

• One player wears the Antler headring while others take turns tossing the rings.

• The player with the most rings wins.

3 – Stuff the Pantyhose Reindeer Antlers Game

What You Need

• A pair of pantyhose for each team
  
• Several balloons (about 8–10 per team)
  
• A timer or stopwatch
  
• Space for teams to gather and play

How To Play

• Divide players into teams and give each team a pair of pantyhose and balloons.
  
• Teams blow up balloons and stuff them into the pantyhose legs.
  
• Once filled, one team member wears the pantyhose on their head as “antlers.”
  
• The first team to finish creating their reindeer antlers wins, or the best-looking antlers can be judged as the winner.

4 – Christmas Cup Game

What You Need

• Plastic or paper cups in holiday colors
  
• A flat surface like a table
  
• Small prizes or treats to hide under cups
  
• A timer for added challenge

How To Play

• Divide players into teams or let them play individually
  
• Stack cups into pyramids, flip cups until they land upright, or play memory games hiding prizes under cups
  
• Use a timer to make it more exciting and competitive
  
• The player or team completing the task fastest or with the most successful flips/matches wins

5 – Draw on a Plate Game

What You Need

• One paper plate for each player
  
• A pen or marker for each player
  
• A list of drawing prompts (tree, ornaments, star, gifts, etc)

How To Play

• Give each player a paper plate and a pen
  
• Players place the plate on top of their heads so they can’t see what they’re drawing
  
• Read out step-by-step instructions like draw a Christmas tree, add ornaments, or put a star on top
  
• When finished, compare the drawings for laughs and pick a winner based on creativity or closest match

6 – Marshmallow Snowball Scoop

What You Need

• A bag of mini or large marshmallows
  
• Plastic cups or spoons for scooping
  
• Plates or bowls for collecting the marshmallows

How To Play

• Give each player a cup or spoon and place a pile of marshmallows in the center
  
• Players race against the clock to scoop up marshmallows and transfer them to their plate or bowl
  
• No hands allowed, only the cup or spoon can be used
  
• The player with the most marshmallows collected when time runs out wins

7 – Gift Wrapping Race

What You Need

• Boxes or small gifts to wrap
  
• Wrapping paper
  
• Tape and scissors
  
• Optional twists like oven mitts or rules to use only one hand

How To Play

• Divide players into teams and give each team the same wrapping supplies
  
• Teams race to wrap their present as quickly and neatly as possible
  
• Add challenges like wearing oven mitts or having teammates use only one hand each
  
• The fastest team with the neatest wrapped gift wins

8 – Jingle in the Trunk

What You Need

• Empty tissue boxes, one per player
  
• Jingle bells or small balls to fill each box
  
• A belt, string, or ribbon to tie the box around the waist

How To Play

• Attach a tissue box filled with jingle bells to each player’s waist using a belt or string
  
• Players must shake, jump, and dance to get all the bells out of the box
  
• No hands allowed, only body movement can be used
  
• The first player to empty their box or the one with the fewest bells left after time wins

9 – Christmas Cookie Stack

What You Need

• A batch of flat Christmas cookies
  
• A flat table surface

How To Play

• Give each player a pile of cookies to use for stacking
  
• Players take turns stacking cookies as high as possible without it toppling
  
• If the stack falls, the player must start again from the bottom
  
• The player with the tallest standing stack at the end wins

10 – Ornament Toss

What You Need

• Lightweight shatterproof Christmas ornaments
  
• Christmas stockings
  
• A place to hang or hold the stockings

How To Play

• Hang or hold stockings open at a short distance
  
• Players take turns tossing ornaments into the stockings
  
• Each successful toss earns a point
  
• The player with the most ornaments in the stocking at the end wins

11 – Candy Cane Fishing

What You Need

• A bowl filled with candy canes
  
• Extra candy canes for fishing (one per player)
  
• A table or flat surface

How To Play

• Give each player a candy cane to use as the fishing hook
  
• Players try to hook candy canes out of the bowl using only the curved end
  
• No hands allowed to grab the candy directly
  
• The player who collects the most candy canes wins

12 – Christmas Tree Stack

What You Need

• Green plastic solo cups
  
• Any sturdy spot to build on, like a countertop or even the floor

How To Play

• Give each player or team a set of green cups
  
• Players stack the cups into the shape of a Christmas tree, wide at the bottom and narrow at the top
  
• If the stack falls, they must rebuild from the bottom
  
• The first team or player to complete a standing tree wins

13 – Pin The Nose A Raindeer

What You Need

• Reindeer poster (without a nose)
  
• Red nose cutouts (one for each player, numbered or with names)
  
• Blindfold
  
• Tape, sticky tack, or Velcro to attach noses
  
• At least 2 players

How To Play

• Hang the reindeer poster on a wall at eye level for the players.
  
• Give each player a red nose cutout and mark it with their name or a number.
  
• One by one, blindfold each player, spin them gently a few times, and point them toward the poster.
  
• The player tries to stick their nose as close to the correct spot on the reindeer’s face as possible.
  
• Continue until all players have had a turn.
  
• The winner is the player who places their nose closest to the correct spot.

14 – Snowball Toss

What You Need

• Cotton balls to act as snowballs
  
• Buckets, bins, or bowls for targets
  
• Open space with some distance between players and the targets

How To Play

• Place the buckets or bins across the room
  
• Players take turns tossing cotton balls into the targets
  
• Each cotton ball that lands inside scores a point
  
• The player with the most points after all tosses wins

15 – Christmas Light Untangle

What You Need

• A strand or two of Christmas lights
  
• A way to tangle them up beforehand|
  
• Room for players to spread out and work

How To Play

• Give each player or team a tangled strand of Christmas lights
  
• Players race to untangle the strand as fast as possible without breaking it
  
• Every knot has to be undone completely for it to count
  
• The first player or team with a fully untangled strand wins

16 – Stocking Stuffer

What You Need

• Christmas stockings, one for each player or team
  
• A pile of small items, candies, or toys to stuff inside
  
• A spot to hold and count the items

How To Play

• Hand each player or team an empty stocking and a pile of items
  
• Players compete to stuff as many items as possible into their stocking
  
• Only items fully inside the stocking count toward the total
  
• The player or team with the most stuffed items at the end wins
  

17 – Santa’s Beard

What you need

• Cotton balls
  
• Petroleum jelly
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Players spread petroleum jelly on their face (mainly cheeks and chin)
  
• A pile of cotton balls is placed in front of them
  
• Using only their face, players stick as many cotton balls as possible within a time limit
  
• The player with the most cotton balls stuck wins

18 – Christmas Card Toss

What you need

• A stack of Christmas cards
  
• A large hat, bucket, or festive container
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Place the hat or container a few feet away from the players
  
• Players take turns tossing Christmas cards, trying to land them inside the hat
  
• Adjust the distance to make the game easier or harder
  
• The player who lands the most cards in the hat wins

19 – Bow Tie Relay

What you need

• Wrapped boxes or empty gift boxes
  
• Rolls of ribbon or pre-made bows
  
• 2 or more players, divided into teams

How to play

• Set up a row of boxes for each team at one end of the room
  
• Players race one at a time to tie a bow onto a box, then run back to tag the next teammate
  
• Continue until all boxes have bows tied on them
  
• The team that finishes first wins

20 – Mistletoe Toss

What you need

• Fake mistletoe bunches
  
• Double-sided tape or reusable adhesive
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Prepare fake mistletoe with tape or adhesive so it can stick to the ceiling
  
• Players take turns tossing the mistletoe upward, aiming to make it stick
  
• Adjust throwing distance for difficulty
  
• The player who gets the most mistletoe to stick wins

21 – Christmas Pudding Race

What you need

• Plastic balls or foam balls as “puddings”
  
• Large spoons
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Each player places a ball on their spoon and lines up at the starting line
  
• At the signal, players race toward the finish line while balancing their “pudding”
  
• If the ball drops, they must stop and reset before continuing
  
• The first player to cross the finish line with their pudding still balanced wins

25 FUN CHRISTMAS GAMES + ANSWER KEYS

Memory & Card Games

Memory and card games bring out the laughter and lighthearted competition in any family gathering.

From flipping holiday-themed cards to battling it out in classic favorites with a festive twist, these games are easy to learn, fun for all ages, and full of holiday cheer.

1 – Christmas-Themed Memory Matching Game

What You Need

• Christmas matching cards
  
  You can buy these premade memory matching cards, or if you’re into DIY, get some printable matching cards.

• A table or flat surface

How To Play

• Shuffle the Christmas-themed cards and arrange them face-down in a grid pattern on the playing surface.

• Each player gets to pick two cards to find two matching cards with the same Christmas-themed pictures.

• If they are a match, the player gets another go.

• If the cards don’t match, the player returns them in the same position and passes the turn.

• The game continues till all the matching pairs have been found.

• The player with the most matching cards wins.

2 – Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Game

What You Need

• Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Game

• A flat surface/table

How To Play

• All players are given their draw pile, along with a central draw pile in the middle of the table.

• The aim is to get rid of all your cards.

• If a player says the same word as on the card while putting their card down, make sure to slap your hands on top of them in the center.

• The last player to do so takes all the cards, and the sequence continues pretty much like Uno.

3 – Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

What You Need

• A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza card deck
  
• A flat spot like a table for everyone to play around

How To Play

• Players take turns flipping cards into the center pile while saying the sequence “Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza” in order
  
• If the card matches the word spoken, everyone must slap the pile
  
• The last person to slap takes the pile and adds it to their stack
  
• Special cards have extra actions that must be done before slapping
  
• The first player to get rid of all their cards wins

4 – Exploding Kittens

What You Need

• An Exploding Kittens card deck
  
• A table or any flat spot for everyone to play

How To Play

• Shuffle the deck and deal cards to each player, then add Exploding Kitten cards back in
  
• On a turn, players draw a card hoping it’s not an Exploding Kitten
  
• If someone draws an Exploding Kitten, they’re out—unless they use a Defuse card
  
• Other cards let players skip, attack, peek at the deck, or mess with others
  
• The last player left who hasn’t exploded wins

5 – What Do You Meme?

What You Need

• A What Do You Meme? Family Edition card deck
  
• A flat spot like a table where everyone can see the cards

How To Play

• One player acts as the judge each round and puts down a photo card
  
• The other players choose a caption card from their hand they think matches the photo best
  
• The judge picks the funniest or most fitting caption
  
• The player whose card is chosen wins that round, and the next person becomes the judge
  
• The game continues until a set number of rounds or until everyone is done laughing, and the player with the most wins takes it all

6 – Rudolph Matching Game

What You Need

• A set of Rudolph and Christmas character matching cards
  
• A flat surface to lay out the cards face down

How To Play

• Shuffle the cards and place them face down in rows
  
• Players take turns flipping two cards at a time to find matching pairs
  
• If a player finds a match, they keep the pair and take another turn
  
• If not, the cards are flipped back over and play passes to the next player
  
• The game continues until all pairs are found, and the player with the most matches wins

7 – Christmas Concentration

What You Need

• A set of cards with holiday-themed pictures or words
  
• A space to lay the cards face down in rows

How To Play

• Shuffle the cards and arrange them face down on the table
  
• Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find matching pairs
  
• If a match is made, the player keeps the pair and takes another turn
  
• If no match, the cards are flipped back and the next player goes
  
• Play continues until all matches are found, and the player with the most pairs win

8 – Holiday Go Fish

What You Need

• A deck of Christmas-themed Go Fish cards
  
• A table or spot where players can sit in a circle

How To Play

• Shuffle and deal cards evenly to all players, placing the rest in a draw pile
  
• On their turn, a player asks another for a specific Christmas card they need to complete a set
  
• If the other player has it, they must hand it over; if not, the asking player “goes fish” by drawing from the pile
  
• Completed sets are placed face up in front of the player
  
• The game continues until all sets are made, and the player with the most sets wins

9 – Christmas Old Maid

What You Need

• 1 deck of Christmas Old Maid cards (pairs of Christmas characters like Santa, elves, reindeer, gingerbread, etc., plus 1 special Grinch card as the Old Maid).
  
• 2–5 players.

How To Play

• Deal the cards: Shuffle and deal all the cards evenly to players.
  
• Discard pairs: Players look at their hands and place any matching pairs face down in a discard pile.
  
• Draw a card: On each turn, a player draws one card from the hand of the player to their left. If they make a pair, they discard it.
  
• Keep going: Play continues until all pairs are matched and discarded.
  
• The Grinch card: The one card without a pair is the Grinch card. Whoever is left holding it at the end is the “Old Maid” and loses.
  
• Winners: All other players who got rid of all their cards are winners.

What You Need

• A Christmas-themed Hearts card deck
  
• A table or space where four players can sit together

How To Play

• Shuffle and deal the entire deck to four players
  
• Players pass three cards to another player at the start of each round
  
• Players take turns playing cards, following the suit if possible
  
• Points are scored for taking certain cards, like holiday hearts or a themed “Queen of Spades”
  
• The game continues until a set score is reached, and the player with the lowest score wins

Tile & Logic Games

Tile and logic games are perfect for families who love a little brain workout mixed with fun.

Whether you’re matching tiles, solving puzzles, or planning your next clever move, these games keep everyone thinking, laughing, and bonding together during the holiday season.

1 – Rummikub

What you need

• 106 tiles (numbers 1–13 in four colors + 2 jokers)
  
• Tile racks for each player
  
• 2–4 players

How to play

• Each player starts with 14 tiles
  
• Form sets (three or four of the same number in different colors) or runs (consecutive numbers in the same color)
  
• Opening play must total at least 30 points
  
• On your turn, you can:
  • Place new sets/runs
  • Add or rearrange tiles on the table (as long as all groups remain valid)
    
• Jokers can replace any tile but carry a high penalty if left unused
  
• The first player to empty their rack wins
  
• Other players count leftover tiles as penalty points

2 – Gravity Maze

What you need

• 1 player (but can also play together taking turns)

• Gravity Maze game set (grid, towers, marbles, challenge cards)

How to play

• Pick a challenge card and set up the towers as shown
  
• Use logical thinking to add the remaining towers
  
• Create a path that guides the marble from the start position to the target tower
  
• Drop the marble to test your solution
  
• Progress through different levels, from beginner to expert, as you solve each challenge

Christmas Themed Board Games

Board games are always a hit, and giving them a Christmas twist makes family time even more magical.

From holiday trivia to festive versions of classic favorites, these games bring everyone together with laughter, teamwork, and a little friendly competition by the fireplace.

1 – Christmas Monopoly

What you need

• Christmas Monopoly board game set
  
• 2–6 players

How to play

• Players take turns rolling dice and moving around the festive board
  
• Buy, trade, and collect holiday-themed properties
  
• Build snowy houses or hotels to increase rent
  
• Use special Christmas cards for fun twists in the game
  
• The goal is to bankrupt your opponents and become the holiday property tycoon

2 – Christmas Clue

What you need

• Christmas Clue board game set
  
• 2–6 players

How to play

• Players move around the festive board to gather clues
  
• Ask questions and eliminate suspects, locations, and objects from your notes
  
• Work out who committed the holiday mischief, with what item, and where at the North Pole
  
• The first player to correctly solve the mystery wins

3 – Elf on the Shelf Board Game

What you need

• Elf on the Shelf board game set
  
• 2–4 players

How to play

• Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their elf around the board
  
• Complete festive missions and collect Christmas tokens along the way
  
• Work together or compete to finish tasks before time runs out
  
• The first to complete all missions wins the game

4 – Christmas Trivia Board Game

What you need

• Christmas Trivia board game set
  
• 2 or more players

How to play

• Players roll the dice and move around the holiday-themed board
  
• Answer Christmas trivia questions to continue advancing
  
• Questions can cover traditions, songs, movies, and holiday history
  
• The player who reaches the finish line first with the most correct answers wins

5 – Santa’s Workshop

What you need

• Santa’s Workshop board game set
  
• 2–5 players

How to play

• Everyone wins if Santa’s sleigh is ready on time

• Players work together to help Santa and his elves get ready for Christmas

• Collect toys, manage resources, and complete tasks in the workshop

• Coordinate strategies to finish preparations before Christmas Eve

6 – Reindeer Games Board Game

What you need

• Reindeer Games board game set
  
• 2–6 players

How to play

• Players choose a reindeer character and line up at the starting point
  
• Roll the dice to move around the North Pole track
  
• Land on special spaces for holiday twists that speed you up or slow you down
  
• The first reindeer to cross the finish line wins the race

7 – Christmas Scrabble

What you need

• Christmas Scrabble board game set
  
• 2–4 players

How to play

• Players draw letter tiles and create words on the board
  
• Holiday-themed words score extra bonus points
  
• Place words on double or triple squares to maximize your score
  
• The player with the highest total points at the end of the game wins

8 – Christmas Yahtzee

What you need

• Christmas Yahtzee game set with dice, scorecards, and cup
  
• 2 or more players

How to play

• Players take turns rolling five dice up to three times per turn
  
• Try to create holiday-themed combinations like three-of-a-kind, full house, or Yahtzee
  
• Record your score on the sheet after each turn
  
• The player with the highest total score after all rounds wins

9 – Christmas Sequence

What you need

• Christmas Sequence board game set with cards and chips
  
• 2–12 players (play individually or in teams)

How to play

• Players draw cards and place chips on matching spaces on the board
  
• Aim to create a sequence of five chips in a row, column, or diagonal
  
• Block opponents while building your own sequences
  
• The first player or team to complete the required number of sequences wins

Party & Social Games

Christmas is all about laughter and connection, and party games are perfect for bringing everyone together.

Whether it’s silly challenges, quick-thinking contests, or team-based fun, these games keep the energy high, break the ice, and turn any holiday gathering into a joyful celebration.

1 – Pin The Nose On Snowman Game

What You Need

• A snowman poster, printed picture, or you can make your own felt snowman with the kids.

• Nose cut-outs
  
  DIY or store-bought. You can even write out the names of family members.

• Tape

• Blindfold/scarf

• Wall for the snowman

Tray for all the prepared nose stickers

How To Play

• Stick your snowman poster on a wall with tape.

• Prepare your noses by sticking tape on one side. Set them tape-side up on a tray for ease.

• Start at some distance from the snowman.

• For each turn, give the player a nose, blindfold them, and spin them around gently (3 times a charm).

• Now, they are all set to go pin the nose on the snowman. 

SEE: Stocking Stuffers For Toddlers They'll Surely Love

2 – Santa Hat Game

What You Need

• Santa/elf hats for everyone

How To Play

• The aim is to not be the last person left with Santa’s hat on.

• Make sure everyone is wearing a hat.

• The only rule is that they can’t take off their hat until you do.

• Continue with the festivities and remove your hat without drawing attention.

• Watch as people catch on, and you find your last guy.

3 – Wrap-A-Kid Game

What You Need

• A willing kid

• Gift wrap roll/ streamer

• Tape

How To Play

• Players need to wrap their kid using only ONE hand.

• Whoever finishes first wins.

4 – Fluffy Bunny

What You Need

• Big Marshmallows

How To Play

• Sitting in a circle, each player puts a large marshmallow in their mouth (no chewing), says “fluffy bunny,” and passes the turn.

• The first player who can’t put another in or accidentally eats one loses.

5 – Rudolph’s Snowstorm Scramble game

What you need

• Rudolph Snowstorm Scramble game set (cards, tokens, or board depending on the edition)
  
• 1–5 players
  
• Instructions sheet (usually included in the box)

How to play

• Set up: Shuffle the deck or mix up the game pieces and place them in the center. Each player gets their starting cards/pieces as instructed.
  
• Take turns: Players draw cards or flip pieces to collect characters, items, or scenes from Rudolph’s story.
  
• Scramble effect: Special “snowstorm” cards or actions mix up the game—players may have to swap, discard, or reshuffle cards.
  
• Collect sets: The goal is to gather matching sets of Rudolph-themed cards or complete your collection before others.
  
• Winning: The first player to finish their set or reach the winning condition on the instruction sheet is the winner.

6 – Christmas Bell Game

What you need

• Small Christmas bells for each player
  
• A group of players (the more, the better)

How to play

• Each player starts with a bell they wear or hold
  
• Mingle and talk with others, trying to catch someone saying “no” or “know”
  
• If you catch them, take their bell
  
• The player who collects the most bells by the end of the game wins

7 – Christmas Photo Booth Challenge

What you need

• Christmas-themed props (hats, glasses, beards, signs)
  
• A camera or phone with a timer

How to play

• Set up a festive photo booth area with props ready
  
• Players take turns drawing a pose or challenge card
  
• Strike the silliest or most creative holiday pose using props
  
• Keep score for the funniest or most original photos, or just enjoy the memories

8 – Holiday Would You Rather

What you need

• A list of Christmas-themed “Would You Rather” questions
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Players take turns asking each other holiday-themed “Would You Rather” questions
  
• Everyone must pick one option, even if it’s tough or silly
  
• Use the questions to spark laughter, debate, and funny stories
  
• There are no winners, just lots of fun conversation and bonding

9 – Christmas Dance Freeze

What you need

• A Christmas music playlist / Bluetooth Speaker
  
• A group of players

How you play

• Players take turns asking each other holiday-themed “Would You Rather” questions
  
• Everyone must pick one option, even if it’s tough or silly
  
• Use the questions to spark laughter, debate, and funny stories
  
• There are no winners, just lots of fun conversation and bonding

10 – Ballz UP!

What you need

• Ballz UP! party game set
  
• 2 or more players

How to play

• Players take turns stacking or balancing balls using only the tools provided
  
• Compete under time pressure while everyone else cheers (or distracts)
  
• Laughter, chaos, and fumbles are guaranteed as the game gets harder
  
• The player who successfully stacks the most wins bragging rights
  
• Fun For Adults

11 – Christmas Trivia Bowl

What you need

• A set of Christmas trivia questions
  
• A score sheet, chalkboard, or whiteboard to track points
  
• Two or more teams

How to play

• Split players into teams and prepare trivia questions in categories like songs, movies, and traditions
  
• Teams take turns answering questions to earn points
  
• Wrong answers give the opposing team a chance to steal
  
• The team with the most points at the end wins

12 – Christmas Candy Cane Golf

What you need

• Green felt or carpet as the golf course
  
• Candy canes as golf clubs
  
• White ping pong balls as golf balls
  
• Christmas decorations: white snowflakes, mini Christmas trees, Santa figures, snowman, etc.
  
• LED string lights for illumination
  
• Gift boxes as obstacles and hazards
  
• Adequate floor space

How to play

• Lay out the green carpet as your golf course.
  
• Scatter snowflakes to mark the course and indicate paths.
  
• Place Christmas decorations around the course as obstacles.
  
• String LED lights around the perimeter of the course.
  
• Set up several ping pong balls at the starting line.
  
• Each player uses a candy cane as their golf club.
  
• Hit the ball from the start to reach the farthest target or hole.
  
• Players take turns hitting their ball.
  
• Count strokes — fewer strokes to reach the target is better.
  
• Avoid obstacles like Christmas trees and gift boxes.
  
• If the ball goes off the green carpet, add a +1 stroke penalty.
  
• If you hit an obstacle, restart from your previous position.
  
• The winner is the player with the fewest strokes.
  
• Playable with 2–6 players.
  
• You can create multiple “holes” with varying difficulty levels.

13 – Christmas Karaoke Competition

What you need

• Karaoke machine or microphone with speaker
  
• A playlist of Christmas carols
  
• Two or more teams

How to play

• Divide players into teams and give them a list of Christmas carols to choose from
  
• Teams take turns performing their selected songs in front of the group
  
• Judges or other players can score performances based on creativity, singing, and holiday spirit
  
• The team with the highest score wins the competition

Physical & Active Games

If your family loves to move, physical games are the perfect way to shake off the holiday sugar rush.

From silly races to playful challenges, these activities keep everyone laughing, energized, and connected.

It’s all about making memories while staying active together this Christmas.

1 – Candy Cane Fun

What You Need

• Candy canes

How To Play

Each player has to balance a candy cane on their finger and run around the room trying to knock off others’ candy canes.

2 – Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe Relay Race

What You Need

• Painter’s tape for making the grid

• Christmas-themed prizes for winners

• 2 sets of similar objects (one for each team)

How To Play

• Dividing players into two teams, queue up some distance away from the grid.

• Each team will have the first member race toward the grid and mark a box.

• Then they race back to the team, tagging the next player who continues the same way.

The goal is to have all 3 boxes in a row before the opponents.

3 – Snow Shovel Race Game

What You Need

• Cotton balls/ white pompoms

• Plastic Spoons

• Bowls

How To Play

• Put all the cotton balls on a counter/table.

• Each player has to scoop the snow into the bowl with a spoon in their mouth.

The team with the most snow wins.

4 – Christmas Ping-Pong Game

What You Need

• Ping-pong balls

• Cups

• Paper

• Tape

• Money

How To Play

• Set the cups with their prize tags($1, $2, $5, etc.) on a big table.

• Each player gets 5 turns to aim their ping-pong balls for the prize cups. Repeat once everyone has had a turn.

The player with the most cash wins. 

5 – Snowball Fight

What you need

• White socks rolled into balls or crumpled white paper (you can also find indoor snowball sets on Amazon)
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Divide players into two teams and set boundaries for the play area
  
• Start tossing the “snowballs” back and forth, aiming to tag opponents
  
• Players hit by a snowball are temporarily out or follow house rules
  
• The team with the last players standing or the most hits wins

6 – Reindeer Limbo Game

What you need

• A Christmas garland, pole, or broomstick decorated with tinsel
  
• Holiday music playlist or speaker
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Hold the garland horizontally and play festive holiday music
  
• Players take turns leaning back and limboing under the garland without touching it
  
• Lower the garland a little after each round to increase the challenge
  
• The last player to successfully limbo under wins the game

Word & Trivia Games

Word and trivia games are a fun way to mix brainpower with holiday cheer.

Whether you’re guessing festive words, answering Christmas trivia, or racing against the clock.

These games spark laughter, competition, and clever moments that keep everyone engaged and entertained all season long.

1 – Christmas Mad Libs

What You Need

• Christmas Mad Libs

• Pencil/Pen

How To Play

• Gather the words as per Mad Libs rules (ask random words from players without giving them context).

• Write those words in one of the Mad Libs’ stories.

Enjoy the hilarious story you all just created.

2 – Finish The Christmas Carol Game

What You Need

• Hand-written or pre-made Christmas Carol cards

• Timer

• Scoreboard

How To Play

• Divide players into 2 teams.

• From each team, a player will pick a card from the draw pile, read the carol/Christmas song, and the team will have to finish the lyrics.

• If they guess correctly, the reader will pick another card for their team to guess.

• This goes on till the time’s up (60 seconds) or if the team is unable to guess correctly.

• Then move on to the next team and repeat.

• A card cannot be passed or exchanged. 

• The team with the most points wins.

3 – Christmas-Themed Words Game

What You Need

• Christmas-themed words list

• Scissors

• Timer

How To Play

• Get two copies of the Christmas-related word list, so that everyone can have a word.

• With the words cut and mixed up, give one word to each player.

• Set the timer and have the players find the other player with the matching word.

• Once found, the partners have to draw out their Christmas word.

• When the timer goes off, have everybody guess the word from the drawing.

• If guessed correctly, the players get a point.

4 – Christmas Jeopardy

What you need

• Christmas Jeopardy board game set or a printable Jeopardy-style template
  
• 3 or more players

How to play

• Set up categories such as Christmas movies, songs, traditions, or word anagrams
  
• Players take turns picking a category and point value, then answer the trivia question
  
• Correct answers earn points; wrong answers can give other players a chance to steal
  
• The player with the most points at the end wins

5 – Christmas Movie Trivia

What you need

• A set of Christmas movie trivia cards or a printable quiz
  
• 2 or more players

How to play

• Players take turns reading and answering questions about popular holiday films
  
• Questions can cover storylines, characters, quotes, or fun behind-the-scenes facts
  
• Keep score for correct answers to make it competitive, or just play casually for fun
  
• The player with the most correct answers wins

6 – Holiday Rhyme Time

What you need

• A list of Christmas-themed words
  
• 2 or more players

How to play

• One player calls out a Christmas-themed word, like “tree” or “snow”
  
• Other players take turns coming up with rhyming words
  
• Keep going until someone gets stuck or repeats a word
  
• The last player still able to rhyme wins the round

7 – Christmas Alphabet

What you need

• A printed alphabet sheet or notepad
  
• 2 or more players

How to play

• Players take turns naming Christmas-related items that start with each letter of the alphabet
  
• Go from A to Z, using words like “angel,” “bells,” “candy cane,” and so on
  
• If a player can’t think of a word for their turn, they’re out for that round
  
• The last player left, or the one who finishes the alphabet, wins

Acting & Guessing Games

Acting and guessing games always bring out the silliest side of the holidays.

From charades to impersonations, players act out festive clues while others try to guess.

It’s hilarious, lively, and guaranteed to get everyone laughing and joining in the Christmas fun.

1 – Christmas Charades

What You Need

• Christmas Charades Phrases/Words

• Timer

• Scoreboard

• A bowl for the paper slips

How To Play

• Divided into two teams, one player from each team picks up a paper slip from the bowl and silently acts out the Christmas phrase for their team members to guess.

• They cannot mouth the words or draw letters in the air.

• If the team guesses correctly within a minute, they get a score.

The team with the most score wins.

2 – Christmas Pictionary

What you need

• Christmas Pictionary set or printable holiday clue cards Paper, pencils, or whiteboard with markers
• 4 or more players (teams work best)

How to play

• Players take turns drawing holiday-themed words or phrases without using letters or numbers
• Teammates must guess the correct answer before the timer runs out
• Rotate turns so everyone gets a chance to draw and guess
• The team with the most correct guesses wins

3 – Holiday Freeze Dance

What you need

• Christmas music playlist or speaker
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Play festive holiday music while everyone dances around
  
• When the music stops, the host calls out a Christmas character, like Santa, reindeer, or elf
  
• Players must instantly freeze and pose as that character
  
• Anyone too slow or off-theme is out, and the last player standing wins

Scavenger Hunt Games

Scavenger hunts are a Christmas favorite for all ages. Hide holiday-themed items around the house and watch the fun unfold as everyone searches high and low.

With clues, surprises, and plenty of laughter, these games turn an ordinary space into a festive adventure.

1 – Christmas-themed Scavenger Hunt

What You Need

• Christmas Scavenger Hunt game cards or DIY list of things

• Prizes (for the list)
  
  Ornaments, snacks, small toys, Elf hat, Santa/Rudolph figurines, etc.

How To Play

• Each player is given these game cards or a DIY list, and they need to find the objects or take pictures of said objects.

• The player who finishes first wins.

You can team up or play individually.

2 – Candy Cane Hunt

What You Need

• Candy Canes

• Collecting bags/baskets

How To Play

• Hide the candy canes beforehand.

• When the game begins, have all the players collect a set number of candy canes and return to the starting point.

The player with the most candy canes collected wins.

3 – Ornament Hunt

What you need

• A selection of unique or themed Christmas ornaments
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Hide specific ornaments around the house before the game begins
  
• Give players a list or clues describing which ornaments they need to find
  
• Players search the space, collecting the correct ornaments as quickly as possible
  
• The player who finds the most ornaments or completes the list first wins

4 – Christmas Color Hunt

What you need

• A list of Christmas colors like red, green, gold, silver, and white
  
• A group of players

How to play

• Players search around the house to find items matching the listed Christmas colors
  
• Each item must clearly represent the chosen color to count
  
• Decide whether players collect the items or simply point them out
  
• The first player to complete the color list wins

Bingo & Pattern Games

Bingo and pattern games are timeless holiday favorites that bring all ages together.

With festive cards, markers, and plenty of cheer, these games are simple to play but always full of excitement.

They’re the perfect mix of luck, laughter, and Christmas spirit for family gatherings.

1 – Christmas Bingo

What You Need

• Xmas Bingo cards (pre-made or printables)

• Pen/marker for everyone

• Bingo caller (the one that announces)

• Red and green candies to cover the crossed items.

How To Play

• Have the caller announce a random Bingo item as they draw the cards from the drawing pile, and the players get to cross that picture.

Once someone has five in a row, they shout out bingo and they win that round.

2 – Holiday Movie Bingo

What you need

• Printable Holiday Movie Bingo cards
  
• Bingo markers, pens, or festive candies to cover squares
  
• A holiday movie to watch together

How to play

• Each player gets a bingo card filled with common holiday movie tropes
  
• Watch a Christmas movie and mark off each trope as it appears
  
• First player to get five in a row shouts “Bingo!”
  
• Keep playing with different movies for endless fun

3 – Christmas Carol Bingo

What you need

• Printable Christmas Carol Bingo cards
  
• Bingo markers, pens, or holiday candies to cover squares
  
• A Christmas music playlist or speaker

How to play

• Give each player a bingo card with popular Christmas carols listed
  
• Play Christmas songs one by one and let players mark them off as they hear them
  
• The first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins
  
• Keep playing rounds for more holiday fun

Get teens off their phones this holiday with these fun outdoor games for teenagers that will have the whole family bonding and making memories.

Wrapping Up Christmas Games For Family

With this bunch of jolly games up your sleeve, you’re all set to rock your next family shindig.

But hold your reindeer – don’t hoard the fun!

Spread the love, and share these epic family Christmas games with your buddies and even those folks next door.

Let’s turn it into one epic holiday showdown!

Here’s to smashing more rounds of your go-to card game, owning those gingerbread house battles like a champ, and showing your cousins who’s boss in Christmas movie trivia.

You’ve got this, holiday hero!

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