Christmas Game Ideas – Fun Holiday Activities

Christmas Game Ideas – Christmas games are a fantastic way to bring family and friends together, adding laughter and fun to any holiday gathering. There are countless games suited for all ages and group sizes. For kids, simple and engaging games like “Pin the Nose on Rudolph,” “Christmas Bingo,” or “Holiday Scavenger Hunts” keep them entertained and immersed in the festive spirit. For adults and mixed-age groups, more interactive games like “Christmas Charades,” “White Elephant Gift Exchange,” or “Name That Christmas Song” are always hits. Trivia games that test knowledge of Christmas movies, carols, and traditions can spark both nostalgia and friendly competition. If you’re looking for something hilarious, try “Reindeer Antler Ring Toss” or “Wrap Battle,” where players compete to wrap a gift blindfolded. Many of these games require minimal supplies and can be customized to suit the group’s energy and preferences. Whether you’re hosting a big party or a cozy family evening, Christmas games bring joy, bonding, and unforgettable memories.

Christmas Game Ideas

Christmas Charades

Credit @Little Halo J

Description: A festive version of classic charades where players act out Christmas-related words or phrases.

How to Play:

1. Write down Christmas-themed words/phrases (e.g., “Wrapping Presents,” “Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bells”) on slips of paper.

2. Divide players into two teams.

3. One player from a team picks a slip and acts out the phrase without speaking.

4. Their team has 1 minute to guess correctly.

5. Alternate turns between teams.

6. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Credit @Love & Renovations

Description: A holiday-themed scavenger hunt with clues leading to hidden festive items.

How to Play:

1. Hide Christmas-related objects (like ornaments, candy canes, or bells) around the house.

2. Create clues that lead from one item to the next.

3. Divide players into teams or let them play individually.

4. Give the first clue and let the players begin the hunt.

5. The first team/player to find all items wins a prize.

Pin the Nose on Rudolph

Credit @You are In Good Company

Description: A holiday twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” using Rudolph’s red nose.

How to Play:

1. Hang a large poster of Rudolph without his nose.

2. Blindfold a player and spin them gently three times.

3. Give them a paper nose with tape.

4. Guide them toward the poster and let them try to place the nose.

5. The player who pins the nose closest to the correct spot wins.

6. Repeat for all players.

Christmas Bingo

Credit @ukinseychelles

Description: A fun Bingo game with a Christmas twist using themed icons or words.

How to Play:

1. Create or print Bingo cards with Christmas symbols (tree, star, Santa, etc.).

2. Make matching calling cards.

3. Hand out cards and markers to players.

4. Randomly draw a calling card and announce it.

5. Players mark the matching image/word on their cards.

6. First to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Merry Christmas!” to win.

Gift Wrap Relay

Credit @The Zone

Description: A fast-paced team relay race wrapping gifts under pressure.

How to Play:

1. Divide players into two teams.

2. Set up a station with unwrapped boxes, wrapping paper, tape, and scissors.

3. One player from each team runs to the table, wraps a gift, then tags the next player.

4. Continue until all team members have wrapped one gift.

5. Judges rate wrapping for neatness and speed.

6. Fastest, neatest team wins.

Christmas Pictionary

Credit @Pickler and Ben

Description: A drawing game where players illustrate Christmas phrases or objects.

How to Play:

1. Write Christmas-themed phrases on cards.

2. Divide into two teams.

3. One player draws a card and sketches the word/phrase without writing letters or numbers.

4. Their team has 1 minute to guess.

5. Alternate turns between teams.

6. Tally correct guesses; most points wins.

Candy Cane Hook Game

Credit @Mix 108

Description: Players use candy canes to hook other canes without using their hands.

How to Play:

1. Place many candy canes in a bowl with their hooks facing up.

2. Give each player a candy cane to hold in their mouth (by the straight end).

3. Set a timer for 1 minute.

4. Players try to hook as many candy canes from the bowl as possible using only the cane in their mouth.

5. Most candy canes hooked wins.

Snowball Toss (Indoor)

Credit @gaylordnational

Description: A fun tossing game using fake snowballs or cotton balls.

How to Play:

1. Set up small buckets at varying distances.

2. Give each player a handful of soft snowballs (cotton balls or pom-poms).

3. Players try to toss the snowballs into the buckets.

4. Assign point values to each bucket based on distance.

5. Tally scores after everyone has tossed.

6. Highest score wins.

Christmas Freeze Dance

Credit @booksandcookiesla

Description: A dance-and-stop game using Christmas music.

How to Play:

1. Play upbeat Christmas music.

2. Players dance around the room.

3. Pause the music randomly—players must freeze instantly.

4. Anyone who moves is out.

5. Continue until one player remains.

6. Winner gets a holiday treat or prize.