Everyone knows that one of the best holiday activities is playing festive Christmas games. This is especially true if you spend the season with a large group of folks, have a bunch of parties to attend (or host!) or just find yourself to be, well, super competitive.
For those of you who are looking to up the fun factor this year, you’ve come to the right place. Not only do we have games for kids that will keep them entertained for hours, but we have also included contests that will also be a ton of fun for adults. And for teachers who are looking for some holiday-themed ideas, there are a bunch of free printables you can use. From cheery spins on classic games like Bingo to more inventive ideas like the Rudolph Race, we guarantee your Christmas won't have a dull moment.
For more ways to keep the holiday merry and bright, check out our list of hilarious Christmas jokes and Elf on the Shelf ideas.
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1
Guess the Number of Candies
Icebreakers are a must at any holiday party. Kick yours off with a fun guessing game. Fill a clear jar with peppermints or themed M&Ms (or another candy of your choice), and have everyone who enters the party take a guess at how many are in the jar. The person who guesses correctly, or comes the closest, wins. You can even take the time to decorate the top of the jar with Christmas bows and tinsel to really bring in the holiday spirit.
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2
Christmas I Spy
Challenge your little ones to a festive game of I Spy. Have them find out how many Santas, snowflakes, Christmas trees and more they can find on this printable.
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3
Cookies for Santa Game
For a festive take on the Oreo race challenge, give this game a try. First, create stick-on Santa beards for those who will participate. Then, have everyone attempt to get an Oreo into their mouths without using their hands.
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4
Rudolph Race
For a fun race against the clock, gather the people in your home to play Rudolph Race. The game requires each player to attempt to pin the nose on Rudolph using only their nose, Vaseline and a pom ball. Challenge accepted!
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5
Hold Sled Races
Bundle up and get ready to work off that post-dinner slump with sled races. Have participants line up at the top of a hill (a safe distance apart to prevent crashes) and let 'er rip. First to the bottom wins!
TRENDING NOW: Best Christmas Party Games for Adults Only
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6
Play Christmas "Heads Up"
Write the name of classic Christmas characters on sticky notes and have each player paste one to their forehead without looking at what it says. Then, everyone has to help each other guess whose name is on their heads without saying the word. It's a guaranteed laugh fest! There's also an app, for a higher-tech version.
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7
Host Christmas Family Trivia
Get to know the faces around the table even better with a rousing game of family trivia. Have everyone write down a little-known fact about themselves when they arrive, then read them out after dessert or whenever you've got some downtime. Ask everyone to guess which piece of trivia belongs to who. It's a game and bonding experience all rolled into one!
TRENDING NOW: Holiday Facts for Trivia Night
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8
Christmas Mad Libs
Get all of your [nouns] together to [verb] an [adjective] game of Mad Libs. The silliest, most creative or just downright weird combo wins the day. It's also a great way to work on the kids' vocabulary, to sneak some learning into the festivities.
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9
Christmas Wrapping Race
Instead of stressing about how beautifully your gifts are wrapped, gather some helper Elves and see who can wrap their gift as quickly as possible. Sure, you may not exactly save paper this way, but it does take the pressure off the perfectionists among us.
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10
Ring the Reindeer Antlers
Think of this game like the holiday version of ring toss. Pick up a reindeer antler headband or make your own if you're feeling crafty. Twist red and white pipe cleaners together to make candy cane-striped rings. One person puts on the headband, while the rest try to hook the rings onto the antlers. Don't want to DIY? Pick up cute inflatable versions on Amazon.
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11
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Instead of sitting around the TV digesting after dinner or while waiting for the roast to come up to temp, embark on a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. Personalize it by including items that have sentimental value to your family. Get help from this deck of more than 200 cards that has an indoor deck and an outdoor deck, so there's an option for all kinds of weather.
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12
Christmas Guess Who
Personalize the iconic game of Guess Who by making cards with pictures of family members. Polaroid photos would give it an easy, vintage twist. To get your competitor to guess the correct person, use holiday prompts like, "Who makes her signature Christmas dessert?" or "Who's celebrated the most Christmases in our family?" When you're finished playing, incorporate the pictures into your decor.
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13
Christmas Dance Freeze
Turn rockin' around the Christmas tree into a competition by holding a holiday dance-off. Turn on the music and get groovin', then shut it off without warning and shout, "freeze!" Whoever stops moving last is out. You'll get the giggles, guaranteed.
USE OUR LIST FOR YOUR PLAYLIST
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14
Oven Mitts Game
Opening Christmas gifts while wearing oven mitts is just as challenging (and hilarious) as you think. As an added perk, giving unwrapping an element of difficulty will make everyone slow down and savor the moment when tearing into those presents on Christmas morning — not to mention result in some really fun photos.
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15
Play Christmas Movie Bingo
Turn your Hallmark movie marathon into a more collaborative activity when you just can't resist attaching your backsides to the couch. This movie Bingo board will turn it into a fun family activity and keep everybody off their devices.
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16
Snowman Bowling
For a few weeks before the big day, save a stack of uniform-sized containers like tissue boxes or shipping packaging. Then, paint them white and attach a paper hat and nose, painted-on eyes and a mouth, pom-pom buttons and some sticks for arms. Grab a ball and you're ready to bowl! Not only is it an adorable and easy activity, it also helps repurpose some cardboard.
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17
Guess the Christmas Smell Game
If you've ever been to one of those kid-friendly haunted houses, you already know what a fun challenge it can be to test your nose. Put a few classic Christmas scents like peppermint, nutmeg and pine needles into separate jars with tight lids. Blindfold your guests and ask them to guess the smell. No peeking!
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18
DIY Christmas 'Sorry!' Board Game
This super crafty blogger made her own clay game pieces and cork board for this festive spin on the classic board game Sorry!. If you don't have the time or skills to do the same, use Christmas Hershey's Kisses on a regulation board to give it a little more holiday spirit. The winner gets to eat their team (and maybe the opposing ones, too).
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19
Christmas Bingo
Bingo makes a great family game because pretty much everyone can play, from the little ones right on up to great-grandma (the real expert). Print out a handful of free Christmas bingo boards to put the whole crew in a holly jolly mood. Use red and green candy pieces for markers so you can reuse the cards again and again.
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20
Gingerbread House Competition
Up the ante on your gingerbread house project to keep even reluctant builders engaged. Challenge each team to construct a replica of their own home, an iconic favorite from a Christmas movie or the zaniest structure they can dream up. Just don't eat too many of your materials before you're done! The end results will double as decor.
