Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
35 Fun Christmas Games to Play with Your Family and Friends for the Holidays
These festive games are enjoyable for kids and adults alike!
The holiday season is a time for joy, peace, and gathering with your loved ones—but there's always room for a little friendly competition, too! There are dozens of other festively fun Christmas games that are just as enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Oftentimes, they’re based on classic everyday favorites like Scattergories and Jeopardy but with some extra holiday flair. Whether you want to put together a DIY Christmas game or download a simple printable option, all of these Christmas party games will entertain you and your family this holiday season.
No matter which game format you prefer—guessing games, memory games, movie references, or something else—there are dozens of creative Christmas game ideas for all ages. Turn on your favorite Christmas music, slip into your matching Christmas PJs, and get playing! Christmas game night might even turn into a longstanding family Christmas tradition.
Candy Cane Hook 'Em Game
Here's a game that'll really hook you and your family! It involves using your mouth to link together candy canes and transfer them into a bowl. Any player who can successfully move five candy canes in under one minute scores up to 5 points.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Guess That Christmas Smell Game
From peppermints to pine needles to cocoa powder, Christmas is filled with so many delicious scents. To play this holiday guessing game, bottle your favorite Christmas smells, blindfold each player, and have them guess what the mystery objects are.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
TableTopics Holiday Conversation Pack
Get the whole family chatting and laughing with this pack of holiday-inspired conversation starters. It's also a great way to get to know each other even better!
How Old Is Santa?
We know where Santa lives, who he's married to, and the names of his trusty reindeer—but does anyone really know how old he is? That's the question you'll seek to answer when you play this cute game using table tennis balls and a pair of old rain boots.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
You'll meet the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future when you play this time-traveling adventure game. Up to four players can participate so it's perfect for a family or friend group of four!
Shave Santa's Beard
Everyone loves Santa's signature white beard, but you'll give him a whole new look with this minute to win it game! To play, each team will have a barber and Santa and compete to see who can "shave" their Santa the fastest.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things to Do.
Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Tired of being cooped up in the house for Christmas? Bundle up and head outdoors for a fun holiday scavenger hunt that will take you all around your neighborhood.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY!.
White Elephant gift exchanges can get out of hand fast. To bring a little order to the chaos, try this Gift Grab game that lets the dice decide whether you can keep, trade, or return your gift.
Inflatable Reindeer Antler Ring Toss Game
Anyone can join in this reindeer game! Kids and adults alike will enjoy wearing these antler crowns and red noses as they try to land festive rings on the tines.
WHAT DO YOU MEME? Merry Dissmas
If your family enjoys a friendly roast from time to time, you'll love this mischievous game. It's all about mining your family memories for the funniest possible answers to the prompt cards.
Trim the Tree
This ho, ho, hilarious game will put everyone's tree decorating skills to the test! Split into teams then choose one person from each group to be the tannenbaum. Players will race to trim their tree using crepe paper, bows, and headbands for tree toppers. The prize goes to whoever finishes first!
Get the tutorial at Mum in the Mad House.
Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Card Game
Ever played Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza? If so, you'll definitely want to try the Christmas version. If not, then your family is in for quite a treat! The super popular game is played like this: Each player takes turn flipping a card while saying one of the five holiday-themed words. As soon as there's a match between the card and spoken word, players race against each other to slap the pile of cards. The last one to do so takes all the cards. The first person to run out of cards wins the game!
Family Feud is the ultimate game of friendly competition, so you know this festive version is sure to drum up some fun during your holiday celebrations. Who knows, you might love it so much that it becomes a yearly Christmas tradition!
Christmas Name That Tune Game
If Christmas carols are your jam, listen up! There are a few ways to play this musical guessing game. You can make a Christmas songs playlist and see who can guess each tune the fastest. Or, you can challenge each player to hum the song and then have everyone else guess!
Get the tutorial at Play Party Plan.
Christmas Scattergories
Keep with the classics and turn the beloved family game into a Christmas-themed night of excitement! Scattergories is ideal for playing with your kids after Christmas dinner or as a holiday classroom game if you're a teacher.
Get the tutorial at Creations by Kara.
Christmas Jeopardy With Scoreboard
This customizable digital Christmas game based on the iconic gameshow will test your holiday knowledge with trivia-based Christmas questions. It doesn't get much better than that! (Just keep in mind that the game works best on a PC, as Macs don't have the same sounds available.)
Christmas Emoji Movie Guessing Game
The kiddos will definitely love this one! On these printables, emojis are used to depict the most iconic Christmas movies. All your family members have to do is figure out which movie is represented by each set of images.
Get the tutorial at Crazy Little Projects.
Murder at the Ugly Sweater Office Holiday Party
This unique game takes a clue from well, Clue. The murder mystery will add a fun twist to your festivities as 4 to 20 players (any of whom could be the murderer) get into character using the ready-to-play printable kit. It can be played virtually or in-person.
Holiday Pictionary
It's Pictionary, but made festive! For this easy game, family members will come up with Christmas characters, icons, and imagery, then write each on a slip of paper. Fold the papers and toss them in a bowl, then take turns picking one and trying to draw it.
Matching Christmas Game
If you have little ones at home, they'll love this matching game that's perfect for the holidays. Laminate the cards so you can play again next Christmas.
Get the tutorial at That's What Che Said.
Rebecca Ravee Norris is a full-time freelance writer with a decade's worth of lifestyle media experience. Based out of the Washington metropolitan area, she writes for a variety of publications, covering everything from beauty and wellness to style and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University. There, she earned her B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not working, she can be found with her beloved Jack-Chi, Cash, adventuring with family and friends, working through reps at the gym, dreaming up her next home decor project, testing a new recipe, getting lost in the pages of a book, or catching up on her favorite shows.
Watch Next
Set Your Christmas Table With These Centerpieces
21 Unique Photo Gifts That Everyone Will Love
175 Christmas Dog Names for Your Festive Pet
Welcome Back the Elf on the Shelf With These Ideas
