12 Holiday-Themed Games for Seasonal Fun

The holiday season is a time for gathering with family and friends, and what better way to create lasting memories than through fun and engaging games? Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or simply looking for ways to keep your kids entertained during the break, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore 12 holiday-themed games that are sure to bring joy and laughter to your celebrations.

1. Christmas Charades

Christmas Charades is a classic game that is sure to entertain both young and old. Simply write down a list of Christmas-related words or phrases on small pieces of paper, and have players take turns acting them out. The other players must then guess what is being acted out. It’s a great way to get everyone involved and keep the holiday spirit alive.

2. Holiday Scavenger Hunt

A holiday-themed scavenger hunt is a fun and interactive game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Create a list of holiday-themed items or clues and hide them around your house or yard. Divide your guests into teams and let the hunt begin. The team that finds all the items or solves all the clues first wins!

3. Snowball Toss

If you’re lucky enough to have a snowy holiday season, a snowball toss game is a perfect way to get active and have fun outdoors. Set up targets, such as buckets or hula hoops, at varying distances and have players take turns throwing snowballs to try and hit the targets. You can even turn it into a friendly competition and keep score.

4. Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Gingerbread houses are a staple of the holiday season, and turning it into a decorating contest adds an extra element of fun. Provide each participant or team with a pre-assembled gingerbread house and a variety of decorating supplies. Set a time limit and let creativity run wild. Once the time is up, have a panel of judges or everyone vote for their favorite creation.

5. Holiday Movie Trivia

For movie enthusiasts and fans of holiday films, a holiday movie trivia game is a perfect choice. Create a list of trivia questions about popular holiday movies and have players or teams take turns answering. You can set up teams and keep score or play individually for a more casual game. It’s a great way to test your knowledge and rekindle memories of beloved holiday classics.

6. Ornament Guessing Game

The ornament guessing game is a simple yet entertaining game that requires minimal preparation. Fill a jar with various holiday ornaments and have players guess the number of ornaments in the jar. The player with the closest guess wins a prize. It’s a great icebreaker game and can be played throughout the holiday season.

7. Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest

If you’re looking for a fun and festive game that also doubles as a fashion statement, an ugly Christmas sweater contest is the way to go. Encourage your guests to wear their most outrageous and tacky holiday sweaters and have everyone vote for the ugliest one. The winner gets bragging rights and a small prize.

8. Santa Says

Santa Says is a holiday-themed twist on the classic game of Simon Says. Designate one person as “Santa” and have them give commands for the other players to follow. The catch is that the commands should be related to holiday activities or objects. For example, “Santa says touch your nose like a reindeer.” It’s a great way to get everyone moving and laughing.

9. Holiday Bingo

Bingo is a timeless game that can easily be adapted to fit any theme, including the holidays. Create bingo cards with holiday-themed images or words and distribute them to all the players. Call out random holiday-related items and have players mark them off on their cards. The first person to get a row or a full card wins!

10. Pin the Nose on Rudolph

A holiday twist on the classic party game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” Pin the Nose on Rudolph is a fun and interactive game that can be enjoyed by all ages. Draw a large picture of Rudolph without his red nose and cut out small red circles as noses. Blindfold the players, spin them around, and have them try to pin the red nose in the correct spot. The player who gets closest to the correct spot wins.

11. Holiday Pictionary

Pictionary is a popular drawing and guessing game that can be easily adapted to a holiday theme. Create a list of holiday-related words or phrases and have players take turns drawing while their team tries to guess. Set a time limit for each round and keep score. It’s a great game for fostering creativity and teamwork.

12. Musical Chairs with a Twist

Musical chairs is a classic party game that can be given a holiday twist by playing holiday-themed music. Set up chairs in a circular formation, one less than the number of players. When the music starts, have players walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone must find a seat. The player left standing is eliminated. Remove one chair and continue until there is one player left standing, who is the winner.

These 12 holiday-themed games are just a starting point to bring fun and laughter to your holiday celebrations. Feel free to adapt and modify them to suit your preferences and the ages of your participants. Remember, the most important thing is to create lasting memories and enjoy the festive spirit with your loved ones. Happy holidays and happy gaming!