Who doesn't love a good party game? It's a great way to bring people of all ages together for some festive fun! We made our list (and checked it twice) of ten quick and easy Christmas-themed games that can be easily altered to include all age groups so the whole family can join in on the fun.
We've indicated which can be played in a seated position for those with mobility issues (M) and which can be enjoyed by those struggling with cognitive impairment or memory loss (C).
1. Candy Cane Pick Up (M, C)
Supplies: candy canes and baskets or trays
Place a pile of candy canes on a table and provide a tray or basket for each player. Give each player a candy cane to put in his mouth or hold between two fingers or thumb/ring finger with the hook end down. The player must use the candy cane hook to pick up the other candy canes and move them to the basket. The player with the most candy canes in their basket after one minute wins!
2. Stacking Snowmen (M, C)
Supplies: mini marshmallows
See how many snowmen you can make by stacking mini-marshmallows in 1 minute. Player with the most snowmen is the winner.
3. Snowball Fight (M, C)
Supplies: sheets of white copy paper
Provide white paper for each player or team. Place a dividing line in the middle of the room. Players or teams wad up the paper and have a snow ball fight. The player or team with the least number of "snowballs" on their side after one minute is the winner.
4. Christmas in Balance (M, C)
Supplies: 10 small ornaments with hooks, yardstick, wrapping paper tube
Players or teams must hang 10 ornaments on the yardstick that sits atop an upright wrapping paper tube. The player or team that hangs all 10 ornaments wins.
5. Snowball Toss (M, C)
Supplies: Christmas wreath, basket, marshmallows
Players stand behind a designated line and have one minute to toss marshmallows (snowballs) through the wreath into the basket. The player with the most snowballs in the basket at the end of one minute wins.
6. Scoop It Up (M, C)
Supplies: plastic spoons, bowls, marshmallows, ornaments
, or ping pong balls
Using nothing but a spoon in your mouth (or hold between two fingers or thumb/ring finger), transfer six ping pong balls or marshmallows from one bowl to another in less than one minute. No hands! Hands are only allowed if you drop the ping pong ball or marshmallow to place it back in the original bowl for another transfer attempt. 2 - 3 players compete for each round of play.
7. Do You Hear What I Hear? (M)
Supplies: 5-7 present boxes, 15-140 jingle bells
Fill the gift boxes with jingle bells ranging from 5 - 35. Have each player lift, rattle and listen to the boxes and arrange the boxes in order from least to greatest number of bells - all in one minute.
8. Stocking Stuffers or Bluffers (M)
Supplies: assorted Christmas stockings, small prizes (dollar bills, lottery tickets, gift cards), challenge/dare cards.
Hang assorted stockings on a string, mantel, or similar location. Place either a prize or a challenge/dare card in each stocking. Guests can take turns choosing a stocking, but they must be willing take the gamble and do the challenge or dare that they receive. A few suggestions for challenges/dares are wear a Santa hat for the rest of the day/evening, sing Jingle Bells in front of everyone with a mouth full of marshmallows, put your hands on your belly and share your best Santa laugh with everyone.
9. Stack the Cups (C)
Supplies: 36 plastic cups
Stack the cups in a pyramid formation using only one hand in one minute.
10. Hung with Care (M, C)
Supplies: 3 feet of string or garland, 3 candy canes.
Take the string and make it taut between 2 objects or people. Hold the candy cane by mouth or hold between two fingers or thumb/ring finger. The player must hang 3 candy canes on the string on the edge of the small hooked part of the candy cane.
And last, but certainly not least...who doesn't love a good word scramble?
Click here for a printable copy of our kid and grandma friendly Christmas Scramble.