Fun Family Christmas Games: 30 Ideas for All Ages
Family Christmas games can be as easy as playing charades, tossing paper snowballs, or trying a round of ‘would you rather.’ These 30 ideas include…
Family Christmas games can be as easy as playing charades, tossing paper snowballs, or trying a round of ‘would you rather.’ These 30 ideas include seated games, team games, and options for younger kids, so you can choose what fits your group best.
Begin with three games: a simple warm-up, a more active one, and a quiet game to end. Most of these can be played with just paper, pencils, and items you already have at home. You don’t need to make it a big competition.
Which Christmas games will be suitable for your family?
Use the table to make a list of what you need before gathering supplies. The suggested ages are just a guide, and the times are for planning only. Adults will play, and kids who need help can join an adult’s team. Adults should lead the games and get everything ready.
The age suggestions show how complex the rules are. They are not safety ratings, so please check that the materials and activities are safe and suitable for your child.
| # | Game | Suggested ages | Players | Estimated play time | Supplies |
| 1 | Christmas charades | 5–adult | 4–12 | 10–15 min | Paper prompts, timer |
| 2 | Holiday would you rather | 4–adult | 2–12 | 5–10 min | None |
| 3 | Christmas alphabet | 7–adult | 2–10 | 5–10 min | Paper, pencils |
| 4 | Finish the holiday story | 5–adult | 3–10 | 5–10 min | None |
| 5 | Guess the Christmas drawing | 5–adult | 4–12 | 10–15 min | Paper, markers, timer |
| 6 | Who wrote that Christmas wish? | 7–adult | 4–12 | 10 min | Paper, pencils, bowl |
| 7 | Christmas picture bingo | 3–adult | 2–12 | 10–15 min | Homemade picture grids, crayons |
| 8 | Find the paper stars | 3–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Large paper stars |
| 9 | Santa says | 3–adult | 3–12 | 5 min | None |
| 10 | Christmas freeze dance | 3–adult | 2–12 | 5–10 min | Music player |
| 11 | Copy the reindeer | 3–adult | 2–8 | 5 min | None |
| 12 | Christmas color hunt | 3–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Optional color cards |
| 13 | Paper snowball toss | 4–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Crumpled paper, basket |
| 14 | Build a cup tree | 5–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Paper cups, table |
| 15 | Snowball spoon walk | 5–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Large spoons, paper balls |
| 16 | Christmas sock match | 4–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Clean paired socks |
| 17 | Wrap the empty box | 7–adult | 2–8 | 10–15 min | Boxes, paper, tape |
| 18 | Holiday card tower | 7–adult | 2–8 | 10 min | Old greeting cards |
| 19 | Guess the holiday tune | 6–adult | 3–12 | 10–15 min | Song list |
| 20 | Christmas movie emoji quiz | 8–adult | 2–12 | 10–15 min | Homemade clue sheet |
| 21 | Christmas category sprint | 8–adult | 2–12 | 5–10 min | Paper, pencils, timer |
| 22 | Christmas five-second challenge | 8–adult | 3–12 | 10 min | Prompts, timer |
| 23 | Two holiday truths and a fib | 8–adult | 3–10 | 10–15 min | None |
| 24 | What changed on the tray? | 5–adult | 2–8 | 5–10 min | Large safe objects, tray, cloth |
| 25 | Christmas scavenger hunt | 5–adult | 2–12 | 15–20 min | Written or picture list |
| 26 | Holiday drawing telephone | 8–adult | 4–10 | 15–20 min | Paper, pencils |
| 27 | Make a paper Christmas character | 4–adult | 2–10 | 10–15 min | Paper, crayons, pre-cut shapes |
| 28 | Family Christmas trivia | 7–adult | 3–12 | 10–15 min | Agreed questions, answer key |
| 29 | Secret kindness detective | 5–adult | 3–12 | 15–30 min | Optional paper clues |
| 30 | Christmas memory circle | 4–adult | 2–12 | 10–15 min | None |
What are some fun Christmas games for family get togethers with no preparation at all?
1. Christmas charades
Act out wrapping a present, decorating a tree, building a snowman or carrying a very heavy present. Split the players into two teams and give each player 45 seconds. Award one point for a correct guess. The younger players can of course choose from pictures or act with a partner.
2. Holiday Would You Rather
Ask things like “Would you rather deliver the presents in a sleigh or on a giant bicycle?” and “Would you rather have a singing Christmas tree or a dancing snowman?” Go round the room and get each person to explain their choice. Don’t give points and anyone can pass.
If you want more ideas beyond Christmas, take a look at our Family Questions Game Guide. It has lots of funny prompts and great ways to start conversations.
3. Christmas alphabet
Choose a letter and name something festive that starts with it: a stocking for S, ribbon for R or a tree for T. You could work through a few letters together or give the teams two minutes to fill in an alphabet sheet. Agree that the tricky ones can be left blank. One point for each valid answer.
4. Finish the holiday story
Start with “On Christmas morning a tiny reindeer knocked on our door”. Each person adds one sentence. Stop after everyone has had two goes and then ask the final storyteller to give it a conclusion. An adult can assist a younger child in turning a single word into a sentence.
5. Guess the Christmas drawing
Draw a wreath, a mitten, a sleigh or a snowman whilst your team guess. One minute per turn, one point per correct answer. The drawer cannot write any words or letters at all. Keep the prompts simple so that a fairly basic drawing will be sufficient.
6. Who wrote that Christmas wish?
Everyone writes down a pretend wish, like a talking dog or a kitchen that cleans itself. Fold the papers and put them in a bowl. Read each one out loud and let the group guess who wrote it. Keep the wishes imaginary so no one feels pressured to share a real gift idea.
What Christmas games are easy for the younger kids?
7. Christmas picture bingo
Draw a 3 by 3 grid for each player with nine festive pictures. Change the positions of the pictures on each sheet. Make a matching set of caller cards and draw them one at a time. The players cross off the pictures with crayons. Three in a row wins or you just keep going until everyone has filled their card.
8. Find the paper stars
Place big paper stars in easy-to-see spots around a room. Challenge everyone to find all ten. Make sure the stars are at a height kids can reach and not near anything breakable. For a seated version, hide the stars in a large picture and let players point them out.
9. Santa says
Play Simon Says with festive actions: “Santa says wave”, “Santa says pretend to wrap a present” or “Santa says make a snowman face”. Use very gentle actions that everyone can do. If someone does an action without Santa saying it, just reset and carry on rather than get rid of them.
10. Christmas freeze dance
Play a holiday song and pause it at different times. Everyone freezes when the music stops. You can dance while sitting, use hand movements, or strike a pose. Let the kids take turns picking the next freeze shape, like a star or a sleepy reindeer.
11. Copy the reindeer
One person leads by doing a short pattern of actions, like clapping, waving, or tapping knees. Everyone else copies the pattern. Add one new action each round, then switch leaders. For younger kids, start with just two actions. If someone forgets the sequence, the leader can simply repeat it.
12. Christmas color hunt
Call out a color like red, green, gold, or white. Players point to something that matches the color without picking it up. You can also put safe household items on the table and find the colors there, which keeps the game in one spot if the room is crowded.
What Christmas party games can you do using household supplies?
13. Paper snowball toss
Crumple scrap paper into balls and toss them into a basket. Each person gets five tries and scores a point for every ball that lands in the basket. For younger kids, move the throwing line closer. Make sure the basket is far from the tree, windows, and people’s faces.
14. Build a cup tree
Give each team 10 paper cups. Stack 4 cups on the bottom, then 3, then 2, and finally 1 on top to make a tree shape. You can time one round or let everyone build at their own pace. Use a low, stable surface so it’s easy to pick up if the stack falls.
15. Snowball spoon walk
Carry a paper ball on a large spoon from one marker to another, walking instead of running. If the ball drops, just pick it up and keep going. For a seated version, pass the ball between two bowls on a table. If you want to compete, see how many trips each person can finish in one minute.
16. Christmas sock match
Mix up six pairs of clean socks on the table. Each team tries to match the pairs and checks their own work. For a memory version, cover the socks with paper and uncover two at a time. Each correct pair earns a point.
17. Wrap the empty box
Give each pair an empty box, a pre-cut sheet of wrapping paper, and some tape. One person holds the paper while the other tapes. After three minutes, check the results and switch roles. Judge by agreed categories like neatest fold, not by giving out prizes.
18. Holiday card tower
Fold old greeting cards into tent shapes and see who can build the tallest tower in five minutes. Measure from the tabletop after the tower stands on its own for 10 seconds. Use cards that can be folded and play away from any drafts.
Which Christmas games are good for teens and adults?
19. Guess the holiday tune
Hum a short part of a well-known holiday song. Teams earn a point for naming the song. Use songs your group knows, and people can hum or tap the rhythm. If everyone knows different songs, let each person pick one before you begin.
20. Christmas movie emoji quiz
Create clues using symbols that hint at movies your family has seen. For example, a house and a surprised face could mean Home Alone. Once you share the answer list, accept any reasonable guesses. Give one point for each agreed answer. No one needs to know every movie.
21. Christmas category sprint
Give everyone 60 seconds to list items in a category, like festive foods, winter clothes, or things you hang on a tree. Each unique valid answer earns a point. Agree on what counts in each category before you start to avoid any arguments.
22. Christmas five-second challenge
Ask a player to name three things, like stocking fillers, festive colors, or holiday movies, in five seconds. If needed, give them up to ten seconds. Award one point for a complete answer. Avoid asking for expensive gifts or fancy traditions.
23. Two holiday truths and a fib
Each person shares three statements about their holiday experience, with one being a fib. Everyone else tries to guess which one is not true. Keep it light, like a wrapping mishap or a special decoration. You can also make up fibs about a fictional character if you prefer.
24. What changed on the tray?
Place six large, safe objects on a tray, like a mitten, wooden spoon, or folded napkin. Give players 30 seconds to look at them. Cover the tray, take one object away, then show the tray again. Players earn a point for naming the missing item. Avoid using glass or small loose pieces.
How can we get everyone playing together without it being too competitive?
25. Christmas scavenger hunt
Make a list of things to find, like something star-shaped, a red ribbon, a holiday card, and something that makes noise. Give teams 15 minutes to find or record the items without moving any decorations. If kids leave the room, an adult should go with them.
For a daytime version, check out our outdoor family activities guide for nature scavenger hunt ideas. Keep the hunt in a supervised area and focus on spotting things instead of collecting them.
26. Holiday drawing telephone
Each player writes a simple festive message and passes the paper to the next person. That person draws what they think the message means, then folds the message so it’s hidden. The next player writes what they think the drawing shows. Keep alternating between writing and drawing until the papers return to their original owners. Then, everyone unfolds the papers and compares the results.
27. Make a paper Christmas character
Set out paper, crayons, and large pre-cut shapes. Each pair has 10 minutes to create and name a reindeer, snowman, or elf. Afterward, each pair gives a short introduction to their character. If you want to give awards, use a different category for each creation instead of picking just one winner.
28. Family Christmas trivia
Write ten questions about facts everyone knows, like whose stocking is striped, what was served at last year’s meal, or where the paper stars are. Make an answer key and avoid questions about memories that people might disagree on. Mix ages on each team and give one point for each correct answer.
29. Secret kindness detective
Pick someone to do a small helpful act in the next half hour, like putting away napkins or offering a seat. The rest of the group tries to spot the act and guess who the helper is at the end. If no one guesses, the helper can reveal themselves.
30. Christmas memory circle
Ask everyone to share a holiday memory or something they’d like to do this year. Kids can draw their answer or have an adult speak for them. This round isn’t scored, and anyone can pass. It’s a calm way to end after the more active games.
How do you set up a Christmas game session?
For a 30-minute session, you might spend 5 minutes on ‘would you rather,’ 10 minutes drawing, 10 minutes on the paper snowball toss, and 5 minutes on the memory circle. These are just suggestions, so feel free to adjust the times as you like.
Explain one rule at a time, show how to play, and go over the scoring before you begin. Pair younger kids with an adult, write prompts in large letters, and offer a seated version. Anyone can watch, help with the timer, or skip a round if they want.
Before you start, check age labels and choking hazard warnings. The U.S. CPSC says to keep toys with small parts away from kids under 3 and deflated balloons away from kids under 8. These games use paper, pictures, and large household items instead of balloons or small pieces. Clean up wrapping after playing and keep the game area away from candles.
Printable Christmas game score sheet
Print this section or copy the table onto paper. Choose three scored games and write their names at the top of each column. For guessing games, give one mark for each correct answer. For the snowball toss, each player gets five tries. Decide on any other scoring rules before you start. Leave the creative and conversation rounds unscored.
Date: ____________________
Game 1: ____________________ Game 2: ____________________ Game 3: ____________________
| Player or team | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Total |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
| ____________________ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ |
Our favorite game to repeat: ________________________________________
One rule we would change next time: ________________________________________
If the scores are tied, share the win. Keep the score sheet with your decorations so next Christmas you’ll have a head start on picking games.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Holiday Safety. Reviewed October 6, 2026. Supports the guidance on toy age labels, small parts, deflated balloons, packaging and candles. The suggested game ages and timings are editorial estimates, not CPSC recommendations.
