Christmas games are a great way to encourage a little fun and family teamwork (or friendly competition) at holiday gatherings. We’ve rounded up some free Christmas games you can make yourself, as well as some fun Christmas games you can buy. These games are great for Christmas at home—or any kid-friendly holiday event. Most of the games on this list are easy for kids and adults of all ages to enjoy, and when you find one your whole family adores, playing it can become a new family annual tradition. Read on below for our favorite Christmas games – family edition. Let the giggles and holiday fun begin!
Don't miss our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids for more holiday-themed family fun from the Best Christmas Movies for the Whole Family to Christmas Cookies To Bake With Kids and more.
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Free Christmas Games for the Whole Family
The best part about the Christmas games below is that they are free and easily made using stuff you already have at home.
1. Holiday Spoons (Candy Cane Edition)
For this game, you’ll need a deck of playing cards and three or more players. You’ll also need a pile of candy canes to place in the middle. There should be one less candy cane than players. Everyone takes turns pulling cards. The object of the game is to be the first one to get four of a kind. Once you get four queens, for example, you grab a candy cane—as discreetly as possible. The last person without a candy cane is eliminated. Keep going until there’s one person left. (For directions to regular Spoons, and more great card games, check out our list of 25 card games every kid should know.)
2. Holiday Charades
Start by making a list of Christmas terms for everyone to act out. Separate your group into two teams. Just like regular charades, you choose one player from each team to act out the term. The other players guess what they are acting. Set a time limit for each round as well as how many points you’re going to play until. Remember—you’re not allowed to sign any letters or talk.
3. Holiday 20 Questions
One player picks a Christmas-themed object for everyone to guess what it is. The other players are only allowed to ask yes or no questions. After 20 questions, if no one guesses, the same person picks another object and it begins again. Whoever guesses the object correctly chooses the object for the next round.
4. Santa-Style Limbo
One of Santa’s signatures is his large belly. For Santa limbo, you’ll need a pillow and a limbo stick, such as a broom. Two people hold the ends of the broom so that one person can try and get under the limbo stick. The person going under the limbo stick puts the pillow under their shirt to create Santa’s belly. Each round, you lower the stick. The person who can "go the lowest" wins.
5. Christmas Song Pictionary
Write down a list of Christmas songs on different pieces of paper. One player draws from the pile of paper. They will have one minute to draw clues for what Christmas song it is. If their team guesses correctly, they win one point. Choose another artist from the next team and alternate until one team reaches 10 points.
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Make your own Christmas memories with a Christmas Memory Game.
6. Make Your Own Christmas Memory Game
To make your own Christmas memory game, start by cutting a piece of paper into 12 squares. On each square draw a Christmas object. Make an identical sheet on another piece of paper so you have 24 squares with 12 Christmas items. Shuffle the squares and flip them all over on the table. Each player takes turns flipping a card over and trying to find the match. 12 different objects are great for 2-3 players, but you can easily double this for a larger group.
7. Holiday Family Feud
To play Holiday Family Feud, begin by breaking players into two teams. Then, make a list of Christmas or holiday-themed questions with answers. You’ll want to have a few possible answers to each question. Rank each answer. Your top answer is worth 20 points, for example, and your next is worth 15 points, and so on. Each team is given a time allotment to write down three guesses to the question. If their answers were on the list, they receive a set number of points. You receive more points if their answer was the top choice. Here are some sample questions and answers to get you started.
8. What’s in the Stocking?
Start with an empty stocking. One player chooses an object to put inside. Tie the stocking shut so no one can see inside. Now the rest of the players pass it around and try to guess what’s inside. The player with the most correct answers wins.
9. Christmas Blindfold Drawing
To start, grab some white paper plates and markers. Give each player a marker and a plate. You’ll also need a blindfold for each person. One person gives instructions on a Christmas scene to draw. Everyone tries to draw the scene without looking. The person with the best drawing wins.
10. Fill the Stocking Race
To play this game, you’ll need a stocking for each team. You’ll also need small objects or candy that fit on a spoon. Place the stocking on one end of the room and have the players line up on the opposite side. Each team sends one player to walk with a spoon full of candy to fill up the stocking. The first team to fill the stocking wins.
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Because tails and donkeys aren't festive enough.
Fun Christmas Games You Can Buy
11. Pin the Nose on Rudolph
This game is great for kids and adults of all ages. It’s a fun and festive twist on pin the tail on the donkey. Make sure to grab a blindfold and give everyone a spin beforehand.
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Antler Ring Toss Game: The only time you actually want kids to throw things at each other.
12. Antler Ring Toss Game
This ring toss game comes with two different style rings. Each player chooses a style and tries to get the ring on the reindeer’s antlers. The best part about this game is that it’s completely inflatable. You can blow it up when you're ready to play, and deflate it to store for next year.
13. The Santa Clause Game
Teach kids about the joy of giving with The Santa Claus Game. With songs and silly challenges, this game is fun for the whole family to play.
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Since all you have to do is find a picture, even the littlest kids in the family can play Bingo.
14. Christmas Bingo
BINGO! This Christmas Bingo game can be played with up to 40 players. This is perfect for a big family gathering, church, or community event. You can even play it on Zoom! This game is played just like the original with a special holiday twist.
15. ‘Tis the Season Christmas Trivia
How much do you know about Christmas? This holiday trivia game will have everyone in the family testing their Christmas knowledge. With questions from The Grinch, Elf, and Home Alone, this game is perfect for kids who know their holiday movies. This is also a great holiday gift idea and is another fun family game that can be played on Zoom, to celebrate with family members who aren't traveling this year.
16. Holiday Card Games Christmas Edition
These are classic card game favorites with a holiday twist. This set includes Old Maid, Slapjack, Crazy 8s, and more. There are also new holiday games such as Snowball Fight, Holiday Monster, and Memory Match.
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Christmas Bean Bag Toss is portable, so you can bring it anywhere.
17. Christmas Bean Bag Toss
This cute family Christmas game has a festive twist: Instead of trying to get a beanbag into a corn hole, you try and get it down Santa’s chimney. You can play this game with two players, create teams, or set up a tournament. This game has a foldable cardboard chimney, making it compact enough to play indoors.
18. Christmas Memory Game
If you’re not up for drawing your own Christmas memory game, this set is for you. There are 48 tiles with adorable holiday images. Flip the cards over and try to make a match.
19. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
This Christmas game can be played with two players or a team. It features cards with holiday items you already have on display at the house. You can play this game inside or outdoors. Kids will love trying to find a wreath, a Christmas candle, a Santa, and more. The whole family will get into this game.
Nightmare Before Christmas Monopoly is a great way to spend a whole afternoon.
20. Nightmare Before Christmas Monopoly
If you have any Nightmare Before Christmas fans in your family, they will love this themed version of Monopoly. This is a fun twist on the classic family game, and you can play it every Christmas, getting more competitive as the kids get older...
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