10 Christmas Party Games for Families (All Ages, Easy Prep)

Quick answer: the easiest Christmas party games for families are the ones that work for every age at once: picture bingo, charades, a gift-wrap race, a festive scavenger hunt and the left-right gift exchange. Most need nothing more than paper, a pen and a few small prizes.

Family Christmas parties mix toddlers, teens, parents and grandparents. The best games are simple to explain in one sentence, quick to play and fun even when you lose. Here are ten tried-and-tested options.

1. Christmas picture bingo

Bingo is the ultimate mixed-age game: young kids match pictures, adults enjoy the suspense, and you can play round after round. Use chocolate coins or mini marshmallows as markers. Our guide to playing Christmas picture bingo explains rules, patterns and party tips.

Make it easier: print and play tonight with the Christmas Picture Bingo Printable (30 unique cards).

2. Christmas charades

Write holiday words on slips: snowman, wrapping presents, reindeer, ice skating, Santa stuck in the chimney. Split into teams and set a one-minute timer.

3. Gift-wrap race

Give each team a box, paper, tape and scissors. The fastest neat wrap wins. For a funny twist, wrap while wearing oven mitts.

4. Left-right gift exchange

Everyone holds a small wrapped gift in a circle. The host reads a short Christmas story, and every time the word “left” or “right” is read, gifts pass in that direction. Whatever you hold at the end is yours.

5. Festive scavenger hunt

Hide paper ornaments, candy canes or small toys around the house and give each child a picture list to check off. Older kids can solve clues.

6. Holiday Pictionary

Use the same word slips from charades, but draw instead of act. Great for grandparents who prefer to sit.

7. Name that Christmas song

Hum or play the first three seconds of a song. The first team to guess gets a point.

8. Snowball toss

Crumple white paper into “snowballs” and throw them into buckets from different distances. Simple, active and zero cost.

9. Pass the parcel

Wrap a prize in many layers with a small treat in each one. Pass it while the music plays and unwrap one layer when the music stops.

10. Family Christmas quiz

Ask questions about your own family: “Who cried at the nativity play in 2019?” These become the funniest moments of the night.

How to plan a stress-free game night

Pick 3 games: one seated, one active, one for prizes.
Print anything you need a day or two before. Check our tips on printing at home and choosing US Letter or A4.
Keep a bowl of small prizes so everyone wins something.
Let kids be the “callers” and scorekeepers.

Keep the fun going all month

Games are a great way to fill a December countdown. Our Christmas countdown activity ideas include a game night, and the Christmas Countdown Cards give you 24 printable family activities plus blank cards for your own traditions.

Frequently asked questions

What are good Christmas games for a family party?

Picture bingo, Christmas charades, a gift-wrap race, Pictionary with holiday words, the left-right gift exchange story and a festive scavenger hunt all work for mixed ages.

What Christmas games work for large groups?

Bingo scales to almost any size because you just print more cards. Charades and team quizzes also work well with 10 or more people.

What Christmas games can toddlers play?

Picture bingo with big images, a jingle bell hunt, freeze dance to Christmas songs and passing a wrapped parcel with layers are all simple enough for toddlers.

How do I host a game night on Christmas Eve without much prep?

Pick two or three games, print anything you need the day before, put prizes (candy canes or small treats) in a bowl and set a timer so each game stays short.

10 Christmas Party Games for Families (Printable Ideas for All Ages)