14 Fun Family Holiday Games to Play
The holiday season is a time for family, togetherness, and creating lasting memories. One of the best ways to foster connection and bring joy to your gatherings is through family games.
Playing games together encourages communication, teaches important social skills like turn-taking and sportsmanship, and creates shared experiences that strengthen family relationships.
This holiday season, why not start a new tradition or mix up your usual family game nights? To help you get started, we've compiled a list of fun and engaging holiday games that are perfect for players of all ages. Whether you're looking for something competitive, cooperative, or just plain silly, there's a game here for every family member to enjoy.
1. Santa Drawing Race
Divide everyone into two teams and then race to create a complete Santa by taking turns drawing specific body parts from clues. Players run to a poster, draw their assigned part in random order, and then return to the line. The first team to finish their Santa wins a holiday prize.
2. Christmas Pictionary
Put a holiday spin on the classic game of Pictionary. Write down Christmas carols, holiday movies, or festive objects on notecards. Players take turns drawing while their team tries to guess the holiday-themed word or phrase. This game is perfect for unleashing creativity and fostering teamwork.
3. Reindeer Antler Disc Toss
This team-based game is a crowd-pleaser. Players wear silly reindeer antler headbands and work together to transfer plastic rings from one antler to another without using their hands. It's a test of coordination and teamwork that's sure to result in plenty of laughter!
4. Holiday Family Feud
Create your own holiday-themed version of the popular game show, Family Feud. Divide into teams and come up with survey questions related to Christmas traditions, favorite holiday foods, or popular gifts. Teams take turns guessing the top answers. This game is great for sparking conversations and learning more about each other's holiday preferences.
5. Christmas Carol Charades
Put a festive twist on the classic game of charades. Write down popular Christmas carols on slips of paper. Players take turns acting out the songs while their team tries to guess. This game is perfect for music lovers and encourages creativity and non-verbal communication.
6. Stocking Guessing Game
Fill a stocking or festive basket with various small objects. Pass the stocking around, allowing each player to feel the contents without looking inside. Everyone writes down their guesses, and the person with the most correct answers wins. This game engages the sense of touch and encourages creative thinking.
7. Candy Cane Hook 'Em
This minute-to-win-it style game is both challenging and hilarious. Players must use a candy cane held in their mouth to "hook" other candy canes and transfer them to a bowl, all within a time limit. It's a test of dexterity that's sure to provide plenty of laughs!
8. Winter Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of winter-themed items for players to find around the house or neighborhood. This can include things like a candy cane, an evergreen tree, a snowman decoration, or a specific holiday decoration. The first person or team to find all the items wins. This game gets everyone moving and encourages exploration.
9. Ornament Bowling
Set up empty wrapping paper tubes as "bowling pins" and use round plastic ornaments as bowling balls. Players take turns trying to knock down the pins. This game repurposes holiday decorations for a fun, physical activity that's suitable for all ages.
10. Christmas Movie Trivia
Test your family's knowledge of holiday films with a trivia game. Prepare questions about popular Christmas movies, from classics to modern favorites. You can play individually or in teams. This game is perfect for movie buffs and can spark discussions about favorite holiday films.
11. Build-a-Snowman Race
For this game, you'll need white marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and small candies. Divide into teams and set a 3-minute time. Teams race to build the best snowman using these edible materials. This creative game combines art and speed, and the best part is you can eat your creations afterward!
12. Jingle Bell Toss
Set up several buckets or bowls at varying distances. Players take turns tossing jingle bells, trying to get them into the containers. Assign different point values based on distance. This game improves hand-eye coordination and can be easily adapted for different skill levels.
13. Christmas Tree Decorating Relay
Divide into teams and set up small artificial trees. Give each team the same number of decorations that they have to use up. On "go," teams race to decorate their tree with their set of ornaments and garlands. The first team to use up all their decorations (or the team with the best-decorated tree) wins. You can make this game funny by giving them ridiculous decorations to use or make it delightful by providing beautiful holiday decor.
14. Gingerbread House Competition
While not a traditional "game," a gingerbread house-building competition can be a fun and creative activity for the whole family. Provide each team with a gingerbread house kit or supplies to build from scratch. Set a time limit and judge the houses on creativity, structural integrity, and overall design. Alternatively, you can have two groups of kids decorate separate gingerbread homes and then have other relatives anonymously vote for the one they like best!
Plan Your Family’s Holiday Games and More
Family holiday games offer a variety of ways to engage with family members of all ages during this special season. From active, physical games to more cerebral challenges, there's something here for everyone. The most important aspect of family game night isn't winning or losing, but the quality time spent together and the memories created.
As you plan your holiday gatherings and game nights, why not streamline your family scheduling with a shared scheduling app? Family Daily is an all-in-one tool that helps busy families manage schedules, plan meals, and coordinate activities. With Family Daily, you can easily organize your holiday events, assign tasks for game preparation, and even set reminders for family game nights. Download the Family Daily app today and make this holiday season the most organized and enjoyable one yet!
