iStock
72 Festive Christmas Games the Whole Family Will Enjoy
Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
When it comes to Christmas activities, what are some of your family’s favorites? Do like to bake sugar cookies together? Are you the type of family that prefers to stay in your pajamas and binge Christmas movies all day? Or do you enjoy playing a ton of Christmas games with each other to keep the fun going throughout the day? If you answered play games, you’re not alone.
Tons of people around the world enjoy embarking on a little festive competition with their friends and family during the holidays and we can see why: it’s a fun way to get everyone’s spirits up and a chance to interact more with each other. That’s why we put together 72 of our favorite Christmas games so you can add them to your list of things to do this year.
From games like Christmas Tree Bowling and Guess The Christmas Quote to Switch and Steal Or Unwrap and Christmas Bingo, we found so many amazing games that your whole family will enjoy. Some are silly, some are classic, some will test your Christmas knowledge and some will even require you to sing. There’s basically a game for everyone—even the so-called Grinch in your crew. And when your kiddos end up going to bed, you don’t have to stop playing—we included a couple of Santa-approved drinking games that adults can play too!
Check out all 72 Christmas games below and see how many of them you can play this Christmas! Trust us, you’ll be sure to have a merry little celebration with these activities this year.
Related: These 35 Christmas 'Would You Rather' Questions Are Perfect for the Whole Family
72 Christmas Games
1. Reindeer Antler Toss
Reindeer ringtoss game from Amazon.
Amazon
What game is more perfect to play during the holidays than Reindeer Antler Toss? You can split into teams and see who can get the most rings on the antlers or play by yourself. Either way, it’s loads of fun.
2. Christmas Saran Wrap
This is a game that kids will love. Just wrap a present up in Saran Wrap until it resembles a huge ball. Then have people take turns unwrapping it for 20 seconds at a time. Whoever is the one to finally unwrap the item, gets the gift.
Related: 100 of the Best Christmas Vacation Quotes
3. Telephone: Christmas Edition
If you’ve played this game before, you know just how funny it can be. Each person takes turns coming up with a Christmas-themed phrase and then they have to whisper it in the person’s ear next to them and then they do the same and so on. Once it gets to the last person, they have to say the phrase they heard out loud and see if it’s right.
4. Christmas Word Scramble
Christmas Scramble game cards.
Amazon
This game is so much fun! All kinds of holiday-themed words like, “snowman,” are scrambled up and you have to see who can solve the most words.
5. Christmas Bingo
Christmas bingo cards.
Amazon
Got a large family? Then Bingo is the perfect game for your bunch. Up to 40 people can play if you get this Bingo game package. Plus, it’s fun for all ages.
Related: 35 Elf Quotes That Are Sure to Spread Christmas Cheer
6. Christmas Mad Libs
If you feel crafty, come up with some Christmas-themed mad libs. They will keep everyone laughing as they fill them out and read them aloud.
7. Monopoly Elf
'Elf '-themed Monopoly game
Amazon
Calling all Monopoly lovers, this is the Christmas game for you. It’s played just like the original game, but it’s Elf-themed, so you’ll get to experience the game with all of your favorite movie characters and places. It’ll feel like you’re in the movie.
8. Candy Cane Game Hunt
This game is inspired by Easter Egg Hunts, but it’s done with candy canes instead. To play, hide candy canes all over your house and then have your guests try to find them. Set a timer and when it goes off have everyone count up their candy to see who found the most.
9. Grinch Grow Your Heart Card Game
Grinch Grow Your Heart card game
Amazon
What’s better than playing cards? Playing cards that are Grinch-themed! For this game, players get to take turns being the Grinch and playing his tricks on other players.
10. Holiday Never Have I Ever
To play, have everyone hold up five fingers. Then, go around and take turns naming something Christmas/holiday related you’ve never done, like taking a picture with Santa. If someone else has done whatever you mentioned, then they put down a finger. The last person with a finger up, wins.
Related: Best Never Have I Ever Questions
11. White Elephant
If you’ve never played the White elephant game, you’re missing out! Basically, everyone coming to your holiday party has to bring a gift—the gifts can be gag gifts or real gifts, it’s up to them! Then, players draw numbers to see the order that they get to pick out their gifts. Once everyone has one, everyone should sit in a circle in that order and the first player selects a gift from the gift pile and opens it. The next player then can choose to take that player's gift (if this happens, that player can choose another gift from the gift pile) or choose a brand new one.
12. Christmas Tree Bowling
Christmas bowling set with trees for pins.
Amazon
Who says bowling can’t be turned into a holiday game? All you need are these festive bowling pins that are shaped like Christmas trees and you’re all set!
13. Stocking Guessing Game
Buy a bunch of cheap stockings and then fill each one with random Christmas objects, like an ornament, a snow globe, a candy cane, etc. Make sure each one is numbered and then have people write down what they think is inside. The person who guesses the most right, wins them all.
14. Guess the Amount of Peppermint Candy
Leave a giant jar that’s filled with peppermint candy on your counter and have everyone write their name on a piece of paper with the amount of candy they think is in there. At the end of the party, announce the winner and give it to them as a gift to take home.
Related: 14 Can’t-Miss Classic Christmas Movies
15. Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe
This version of Tic-Tac-Toe ditches the Xs and Os and replaces them with two different types of Christmas candy. Choose whichever ones you want and then play the game with them to make it more festive. The winner of the most games gets all the candy at the end.
16. Gingerbread Shuffle
This is a fun (and delicious) game that people of all ages will enjoy. All you have to do is tilt your head back and put a gingerbread cookie on it. Then, when someone says “Go!” you have to try to slowly move your head around and get the cookie to your mouth without using your hands. If your cookie falls off, you’re out.
17. Snowman Darts
A felt dartboard that looks like a Snowman with sticky balls as "darts."
Amazon
Give darts a Christmas spin with this Snowman-themed dart board. Players can take turns tossing them at the board and seeing who can get the closest to the bullseye.