Hey friends! The most magical time of year is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with games, laughter, and family?

Whether your crew is young, mixed ages, or full of teens (or “almost-adults”), I’ve got ideas that will keep everyone smiling. This is your go-to list of games you can play at your Christmas party.

Why games make the best Christmas memories

Before we get into the list, here are a few Mom-tricks I’ve learned over the years:

• Games break the “awkward small talk” barrier. When everyone’s hands are busy (or brain is racing), the chit-chat flows naturally.

• Printables = sanity saver. You prep once; you can reuse.

• Mix active with chill. Alternate high-energy games (relay races, scavenger hunts) with calmer ones (charades, trivia).

• Prizes don’t have to be big. Little treats, candy, a funny certificate, they add sparkle.

• Rotate players. If someone’s feeling shy, let them sit one round and jump back in.

Okay, ready? Here are 30+ Christmas family party games (grouped by style) that will keep your party hopping.

Classic “party & group” games

Jingle Bell Toss

Grab bells, two buckets (or baskets), divide into teams. Each player races to toss a bell into their team's bucket, then runs back. First team to 10 wins.

Christmas Charades

Write down Christmas songs, movies, carols, or holiday actions. Players mime, team guesses. Use two hats or bowls if you want “song vs movie.”

Rudolph Says

A holiday twist on “Simon Says.” The person who is “Rudolph” gives commands (“Rudolph says hop on one foot,” etc.). Anyone who messes up is out.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Hide Christmas-themed items (candy canes, ornaments, wrapping paper bits). Give teams or individuals a list, set a time limit. First to collect all wins. Or set up a fun Christmas treasure hunt for the kids complete with rhyming festive clues.

Secret Santa / White Elephant / Roll the Dice Gift Exchange

– Secret Santa: each person draws a name ahead of time, buys a small gift, and gives it anonymously.
– White Elephant: everyone brings a wrapped gift; on their turn, they choose a present or “steal” someone else’s.
– Roll the Dice Gift Exchange: Use dice to add twists (swap, unwrap, steal). 

Christmas Emoji Pictionary

Use emoji combinations to represent Christmas movies, songs, or phrases. Teams guess.

Christmas Trivia / Feud

Use holiday trivia questions (movies, songs, history). Or try a “Christmas Feud” style: split into teams, survey your family beforehand (“Top 5 Christmas songs,” etc.).

Christmas Would You Rather

A simple, chatty game where you pose two holiday options and players choose one. For example: “Would you rather have a snowball fight or build a snowman?”
I have lots of Christmas Would You Rather Questions for ideas and printable versions. 

Minute to Win It / Fast & Funny” games

These are awesome for bursts of energy, transitions, or getting wiggles out.

• Snowball Toss: Toss cotton balls or pom-poms into a bucket in 60 seconds.

• Mitten Madness: Put on thick gloves or mittens and try unwrapping candy or small gifts.

• Snowman Stack: Stack marshmallows into a tower. The highest stick wins. 

• Jingle Bell Shake: Tape a tissue box to someone’s waist, fill with bells, and shake them out by wiggling. 

• Frosty’s Nose Challenge: Roll a carrot to knock over cups. 

• Snowflake Blow: Blow paper snowflakes across a table, no hands allowed. 

• Marshmallow Chopsticks: Use chopsticks to pick up mini marshmallows and transfer to a bowl. 

• Penguin Waddle Race: Place a balloon between your knees and waddle across. 

• Candy Cane Hook-Up: Hold a candy cane in your mouth and hook others from a pile. No hands!

Sprinkle these in between other games, they keep momentum high.

Click here for more Christmas themed Minute to Win It Game Ideas

Candy Cane & Themed Games

Because candy canes = Christmas magic. Here are games just around them:

• Candy Cane Escape Room
  A printable escape room where players solve puzzles (often 7–13 yrs) to “catch the candy cane bandit.”
  
  

• Candy Cane Treasure Hunt
  Hide candy canes (or clue cards) around the house/yard, hand out printable clue lists, and let the hunt begin.
  

• Candy Cane Balance
  Balance a candy cane on your finger, nose, or head for as long as possible.

• Candy Cane Wrap
  One person stands still (the “cane”), others wrap them with red & white crepe paper to look like a candy cane. First done wins.

• Candy Cane Relay
  Teams carry candy canes hooked to each other, passing them along in a relay. Drop = restart.

• Pin the Candy Cane
  Like “Pin the Tail,” but use a gingerbread house (or candy cane image) and blindfold players to pin their candy cane in the right spot.

• Candy Cane Face Off
  Place a candy cane on your forehead and try to get it into your mouth without hands.

• Candy Cane Fishing
  Use a candy cane (hook shape) in your mouth to “fish” other candy canes from a pile into a cup. No hands allowed!

Party Tips

1. Pre-print and prep
   Print ahead, cut clues, bag up small prizes. The day of, your job is cheerleader, not printer jockey.

2. Station style for multiple games
   If you have different rooms or corners, label stations: “Candy Cane Hook,” “Dice Swap,” “Trivia Corner.” Let people rotate.

3. Tier the difficulty
   For mixed ages, have “kid” and “grown-up” versions of the same game (e.g. easier clue versions, shorter distances).

4. Prizes 
   Little keychains, Christmas treats, or even the chance to pick the next game.

5. Photo & memory station
   Set up a corner with holiday props and a sign: “We played these games on Christmas 2025!” Let people snap pics.

6. Keep a “warm up” filler game in your pocket
   Something like Would You Rather or Christmas Jingle & Mingle Bingo can rescue you if a scheduled game falls flat.

7. Be flexible with rules
   If a game is dragging, shorten it. If people are more excited, stretch the time. You’re the party director!

There you go, a merry, jam-packed roundup of Christmas Family Party Games you can use, mix, match, and customize. Whether you use printable games or wing it with classic favorites, the goal is the same: laughter, togetherness, and memories.