21 Holiday Games For the Family

The holidays have always been a big deal in our household. I remember one year when the kids, fueled by holiday cookies and the thrill of Christmas lights, were bouncing off the walls.

My husband and I exchanged that knowing glance — the one that says, “We need to burn off some of this energy!” That’s when I pulled out an old favorite: a holiday-themed scavenger hunt.

Suddenly, the house was filled with laughter, teamwork, and a whole lot of joy as the kids scoured every corner looking for hidden candy canes. That night, the energy turned into holiday magic, and it was one of the best family moments we’ve ever had.

If you’re like me, keeping the kids engaged and the whole family bonding is a top priority during the holiday season.

Below are 21 fun and easy-to-organize holiday games that everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, can enjoy.

Trust me, these are perfect for keeping everyone off screens and fully in the moment!

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Holiday Games Your Family Will LOVE

1. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Hide holiday-themed items like candy canes, ornaments, or small gifts around the house. Create simple clues or just let the kids loose to find them. You can grab a scavenger hunt set that comes with everything you need!

2. Pin the Nose on Rudolph

A holiday twist on Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Draw a reindeer or get a Pin the Nose on Rudolph kit, then let the blindfolded fun begin!

3. Holiday Bingo

Print out some holiday-themed bingo cards or get a festive Bingo game set. It’s easy, fun, and great for all ages.

4. Snowman Slam

Use empty cans or plastic cups to build a snowman, then let the kids take turns “knocking him down” with a soft ball or bean bag. You can get a pre-made Snowman Slam game if you’re short on time.

5. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Nothing says holiday fun like a gingerbread house competition. Whether you bake them yourself or get a gingerbread house kit, it’s an activity that everyone can enjoy.

6. Ornament Guessing Game

Fill a jar with small ornaments and have everyone guess how many are inside. The winner gets a small prize or the honor of picking the next holiday movie to watch.

7. Christmas Charades

Write down holiday-themed actions or phrases and play a round of charades. If you’re feeling fancy, pick up a Christmas charades game for some ready-to-go fun!

8. Hot Chocolate Relay

Divide the family into teams, and have them race to assemble a cup of hot chocolate—one person grabs the mug, another the cocoa powder, and so on. The first team to make their hot chocolate wins!

9. Holiday Pictionary

Draw out holiday-themed words and have the family guess what they are. If you don’t have a dry-erase board, you can get a Pictionary set.

10. Christmas Carol Lip Sync Battle

Pick a favorite holiday tune and let each family member lip-sync their heart out. Add props or costumes to make it even more fun! For some extra holiday cheer, grab some festive accessories.

11. Gift Wrap Relay

Give each team a roll of wrapping paper, tape, and a box. The goal? Wrap the gift as quickly and neatly as possible! You can find holiday-themed wrapping paper.

12. Holiday Movie Trivia

Test your family’s knowledge of classic holiday movies. You can even grab a Christmas movie trivia card game to get started!

13. Reindeer Ring Toss

Get a reindeer antler headband and toss rings onto the antlers! You can buy a Reindeer Ring Toss game for some simple and hilarious fun.

14. Snowball Toss

Make “snowballs” out of white socks or cotton balls and have a fun tossing competition. Or you can grab a snowball toss game.

15. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest

Bake some sugar cookies and let everyone get creative with icing and sprinkles. A cookie decorating kit can make it even easier!

16. Christmas Freeze Dance

Play some holiday music and have the kids dance around the room. When the music stops, everyone has to freeze. The last one to stop moving is out until you have a winner. Here is a great playlist for this game.

17. Santa Hat Stack

How many Santa hats can you stack on your head before they all tumble down? Grab a pack of Santa hats to get in on the fun!

18. Christmas Memory Game

Set up a tray with various holiday items (ornaments, candy canes, etc.). Let everyone look at it for 30 seconds, then cover it up and see how many items they can remember.

19. Stocking Stuffer Relay

Divide into teams and race to fill stockings with small toys or candy. The first team to fill their stocking wins! Grab a few stocking stuffers to make it extra exciting.

20. Candy Cane Hunt

Hide candy canes all over the house and let the kids find as many as they can. You can get a set of festive candy canes to make this a quick and easy game.

21. Holiday Puzzle Race

Pick up a few holiday-themed puzzles and divide the family into teams. The first team to complete their puzzle wins! You can find holiday puzzles.

Bottom Line

The holidays are a time for family, laughter, and making memories. With these 21 games, your family will be entertained for hours and create moments you’ll cherish for years to come. Whether you’re looking to bond, laugh, or just burn off that holiday sugar rush, there’s a game here for every family!