- Christmas Memory Game
- Reindeer Ring Toss
- Christmas Charades
- Festive Alphabet Game
- Christmas Bingo
1. Christmas Memory Game
Object of the game: Remember the most items on the tray to win
What you will need: a tray and at least 12 small Christmas items, paper and a pencil for each person playing
How to play:
Out of sight of those who are playing, place all the items on the tray.
You can use things like small tree decorations, a Christmas bow, mini ornaments, a mince pie, a chocolate sweet, some wrapping paper etc or be extra creative and make different designed cookies and have an edible treat once the game is done.
Cover the tray, bring it into the room and place on a table or on the floor for everyone to see clearly.
Remove the cover and give everyone 1 or 2 minutes to study the tray, then cover it again and take it out of the room.
Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil and ask them to write down as many of the items as they can remember.
The person with the most correct items is the winner!
2. Reindeer Ring Toss
Object of the game: Score the most points by ringing the reindeer antlers
What you will need: a headband with reindeer antlers, 6 white and 6 red pipe cleaners twisted together and shaped to make rings, paper and pencil to keep score and 2 chairs
How to play:
This game is best played in teams and you will need one person from each team to be the reindeer. This person puts the antler headband on and sits in a chair. Decide on a throwing distance that’s fair for everyone and place a marker on the floor to stand behind to avoid confusion.
Give each team 3 rings. Each person takes a turn at throwing the rings.
Score 2 points for circling the antler point or 1 if it is leaning on or touching the antler
First team to score 21 points wins!
3. Christmas Charades
Object of the game: Act out Christmas words and phrases for your team to guess. The team with the highest points total wins.
What you will need:
Slips of paper to write words and phrases on
2 tubs to hold the folded slips of paper
A notepad and pen to keep score
A stopwatch or timer
How to play:
Divide everyone into 2 teams. Each team gets a tub and half the paper slips to write Christmas theme words or phrases on for the opposing team to act out. Put all the folded paper slips into your tub and exchange with the other team.
Decide which team goes first and set a time limit for each round. First player picks out a slip of paper from their tub without showing it to their team. They then act out the word without speaking for their team to guess. If your team guesses correctly you get 1 point. Play passes to the other team. Play until you run out of paper slips and the team with the most points wins!
4. Festive Alphabet Game
Object of the game: Be the first team to write down a Christmas theme word for each letter of the alphabet
What you will need: each team gets 1 pencil and 1 sheet of paper with the letters A-Z written vertically down the side
How to play:
Divide all the players into small teams and give each team a pencil and an alphabet sheet. Ask them to think of a Christmas related word for each letter. First team to finish all the letters wins!
Make it a bit more challenging with a Christmas Movies theme or Christmas food theme etc.
5. Christmas Bingo
Object of the game: Be the first to cover all your squares on the board and shout House!
What you will need:
Bingo boards for all players
Set of calling cards
Counters, coins or sweets to cover the squares
How to play:
Each person playing gets a Bingo board. You can make your own or print out a full set of free boards with matching calling cards online. We really liked this set at fun-squared.com
Give each player enough counters or sweets to cover each square. Place all the calling cards in a container. When everyone is ready, pull out one card, describe it and show it to the players. Players cover the matching image on their board with a sweet or counter. First to cover all their images and shout House! is the winner.
I hope this has helped with keeping the family amused and getting everyone into the Christmas Spirit. If you have any to add feel free to let us know and help spread the christmas cheer. Happy Holidays!