Holiday Family Games: Joyful Fun For All Ages

This is a list of Holiday family games that we like to play, and I think you’ll love them too.

As a mom of three, I understand the importance of keeping the holiday spirit alive while juggling all the responsibilities that come with the season.

That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive list of holiday games that will not only entertain your kids but also bring the whole family closer together. So, grab your Santa hat and let’s dive into the world of holiday game fun!

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Holiday Games Your Family Will LOVE

Christmas Dance Freeze

I’m sure you know how to play this classic game. Simply put on some Christmas music and dance your little hearts out! When the music stops, everyone has to FREEZE!

Whoever stops moving last is out.

OR if you play like we play, we just keep playing until we are tired, and no one gets out. This is a good option if you have little little kids.

Christmas Mad Libs

This is one we got on Amazon, but it’s so funny! There are a lot of version of this on Amazon, but I liked this one.

These were my favorite as a kid too. Simply fill in the nouns and the verbs and the adjectives and create silly sentences that no one would ever write on purpose.

Christmas Family Trivia

Another great Christmas activity is playing round of trivia. You can do Trivia questions around Christmas movies (that’s our favorite) or you can do a personal trivia where the people who play the game write down some facts about themselves, and then read them around the desert table.

Then simply try to guess who the trivia piece belongs to.

Downhill Races

Take your kid’s sleds out and hold races on a big hill. We all need to get these kids outside, and this is a great and fun way to get that done!

Cookies For Santa Clause

This is a fun game for kids. Just create some paper or felt beards for each person who is playing the game. Then place a cookie on the foreheads of the players. The goal of the game is to get the cookie to their mouths without using their hands.

Christmas I Spy

Whether you make your own I spy game or use an official I spy book like this one, this is a great game that actually has a lot of learning benefits too. Have your kids find all the Christmas tree, snowflakes or Santa’s on the page! Here is a free I spy printable you might like.

Plastic Wrapping Ball

This a great family game, especially if you have a lot of people to play. Basically you jus take little gits like chocolates, ornaments, gift cards and trinkets in a plastic ball. You’ll want to layer the items, so it’s hard to see what the prizes are.

Here is a set of instructions on how to play this game.

20 Questions

Kids are particularly good at this game. This game is simple. Each family member gets to ask 20 questions, to one person who holds the Christmas item, that can be answered with a YES or a NO and everyone has to figure out what Christmas themed object is hidden behind the persons back.

Pass the Bow

Just like the classic game of hot potato, pass the bow is a pretty fun game that family members of all ages can play. Simply put on some music and pas the bow around in a circle, whoever has the bow when the music stops, is out. The last person standing wins the game.

Secret Santa

This is is a fun holiday game, and it’s one of our Sibling Traditions during the season too.

Your kids can give each other a gift, and it cane be home made or bought. You make the rules according to your budget and time.

Let your kids try to guess who their secret Santa is, if the gift givers can keep their secrets long enough for that to happen.

We usually give the kids about $20 each and they buy each other gifts!

Cupcake Decorating

While not really a game, a super fun activity. The rules are simple, decorate the cupcakes with Christmas themes sprinkles, red and green and blue icing (or whatever colors you have). the prize is…the cupcake to eat at the end.

Easter Egg Hunt – But with Candy Canes

This a game we like to play with mini candy canes. It’s simple! Just give your kids some sort of container (plastic Tupperware, Christmas stocking, whatever).

Then throw the candy canes around the house, just like easter eggs for the egg hunt, and have the kids search for them.

The prize is all of those candy canes!

Candy Guess

This is a simple game, one that I used to play as a kiddo a lot. Full a clear see through jar with candy (any candy!) and have the kids guess how many candies are in the jar. The closest answer gets to keep the jar of candies. Hopefully they share the winnings! Cany idea: peppermints, Hershey’s kisses, mini candy canes…and to keep it really challenging, mini m&m’s.

Gift Wrap With Oven Mitts

Do you think it’s fun to wrap gifts? I do, but not everyone does.

Anyway, imagine wrapping up gifts, with OVEN MITTS ON. That’s…tricky to say the least.

Basically, each person is given a box of wrapping paper (usually scraps) and they have to get creative wrapping a gift with what they have, while wearing oven mitts.

This is a high energy game. It gives lots of opportunity for laughter and it’s guaranteed fun.

Find the Christmas Pickle

This is a fun holiday game that is basically a scavenger hunt for a Christmas ornament in the shape of a pickle. Here it is on Amazon.

So it’s pretty simple, just hide the ornament in the Christmas tree, and let the kids go on a little hunt. It’s actually pretty tricky to find the pickle because it totally blends into the Christmas tree so well.

We like to give a little reward for the child who gets the pickle, a baked Christmas treat, or a small toy!

Pin The Nose On the Donkey

Take this classic game, and tweak it to your Holiday of choice!

Christmas? Pin The Nose On the Reindeer
Thanksgiving? Pin the Tail On The Turkey
St. Patrick’s Day? Pin the Hat On The Leprechaun

Anyways, you get it.

Just print off a photo of your character and the item you a “pinning” and make your own version of this game OR peek on Amazon to see what they have!

Here is Pin the tail on the donkey on Amazon. Here is pin the nose on the reindeer on amazon too! This is cute, pin the cheery on the ice cream.

Oh i love this pin the hat on the cat. And for a fun summer twist there is pin the sunglasses on the pineapple.

I had NO idea there were so many options on Amazon for this game. I always grew up playing the classic donkey version.

Guess The Christmas Smell

This is a lovely game, and it can be challenging too! Put some classic Christmas smells into little jars. Some ideas could be cinnamon, peppermint, nutmeg, pine needs or gingerbread cookies! You can also do oranges or wine too! Just make sure to blindfold the guests or they will see what’s in the jar.

Have everyone smell the jars and try to guess the scents.

Holiday Pictionary

Take your favorite family game of drawing and add a holiday twist! Your Pictionary prompts can be movie titles, Christmas songs and Christmas symbols.

Santa Hats Cup Stacking Game

Take some red solo cups like these and stack up as many cups as you can. Add a white pom pom to the top to create the Santa hat effect!

Ornament Bean Bag

We love a good bean bag toss, and this one isn’t too hard either!

Just take a bean bag – or make a holiday shaped one if you’re crafty, and draw a Christmas tree with some points spots like 5, 10, or 20 points.

Here is a tutorial on how to play and make this game.

Christmas Movie Bingo

We like these Christmas movie bingo cards Or you can totally make your own.. but the game is simple. Be sure to add popcorn and brownies and have lots of fun!

Liven Up Your Holiday Gathering

Whether you’re hosting a big family get-together, having a cozy night in, or just looking to keep the kids entertained during the holiday break, these games will do the trick. From classic board games to creative DIY activities, there’s something here for everyone.

Best Holiday Family Games

The beauty of these games is that they don’t have to end with the holidays. These interactive family activities and holiday game ideas can be tweaked and enjoyed all year round. So whether it’s Thanksgiving game ideas you’re after, or you’re already planning for next year’s Christmas party activities, remember that the heart of the holidays is family—and what better way to celebrate that than with a little competitive spirit and a whole lot of fun?

I know how precious these moments are, and I hope these games help you create lasting memories with your loved ones. So, grab that hot cocoa, gather your family, and let the holiday game marathon begin! Wishing you all a joyful and game-filled holiday season.

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