Christmas Games for Kids and Adults, With Simple Rules

The games are often the part of Christmas people remember. Not the schedule, not the table setting, but the ten minutes when everyone was laughing at the same thing.

The mistake is trying to run a full game show. Two or three short games are better than a long programme. This guide helps you choose by group, explains six games with simple rules, and shows how to set them up without buying much.

Match the game to the group

Choose one game for the start, when people arrive, and one for the end, when the meal is over. The middle of the evening does not need a game.

Six games with simple rules

1. Picture bingo

Players: 2 to 40, any age. Time: 15 to 20 minutes.

Give every player a card with pictures instead of numbers. The caller reads or shows a picture, and players cover it if they have it. The first player with a full row calls bingo.

For younger children, use a smaller grid and call the pictures slowly. For a mixed group, let an older child help a younger one. Keep the calling cards in a bag so the order is random.

2. Christmas trivia

Players: 2 to 20, teams of three or four. Time: 20 minutes.

Prepare 20 questions in three levels: easy, medium and hard. Teams write their answers on a sheet. One point per correct answer, and a bonus point for a funny wrong answer if you want to keep it light.

Keep the questions about general Christmas traditions, films, food and songs. Avoid questions that depend on a specific family's customs.

3. Word scramble

Players: 2 to 30, readers. Time: 10 minutes.

Write ten Christmas words with the letters mixed up. Give everyone the same list and two minutes. The player or team with the most correct words wins.

This works well as a table activity while people are waiting for food. It needs no explanation beyond one example.

4. Charades

Players: 4 to 20, any age. Time: 15 minutes.

Write Christmas actions and objects on small cards: wrapping a gift, pulling a cracker, building a snowman, riding a sleigh. One player acts without speaking, the team guesses. Set a one-minute timer per turn.

For younger children, allow sounds and pointing. For adults, add a harder category, such as Christmas film titles.

5. Christmas scavenger hunt

Players: 2 to 20, children. Time: 20 minutes.

Hide a few picture clues around one room or the garden. Each clue leads to the next, and the last one leads to a small treat or the Christmas Eve box. Keep the hiding places safe and visible enough for the age group.

If the weather is bad, use one room and five clues. A short hunt that finishes is better than a long one that ends in tears.

6. Left-right gift exchange

Players: 5 to 20, mixed ages. Time: 10 minutes.

Everyone sits in a circle with one wrapped gift in the middle or one gift each. Read a short Christmas story with the words "left" and "right" in it. Every time the group hears "left", they pass a gift to the left. On "right", they pass to the right. When the story ends, everyone keeps the gift in their hands.

Keep the gift small and universal: a box of chocolates, a nice soap, a notebook, a Christmas ornament. The game is about the passing, not the value.

Prizes that do not cost much

You do not need a prize table. A few small things are enough:

• A paper crown or a certificate.
• The right to choose the next game or the film.
• A small treat, such as a chocolate coin or a biscuit.
• A sticker for younger children.
• A group photo with the winner, if everyone is comfortable.

If you do give a prize, make it the same for every winner so nobody feels left out.

Time the evening

A simple rhythm works for most family gatherings:

1. Arrival: one easy game, such as word scramble, while people settle.
2. Before the meal: a short active game, such as charades.
3. After the meal: bingo or trivia, when people are sitting.
4. Before gifts: the scavenger hunt or the left-right exchange.
5. End: no game. Let people talk.

Two games are enough. Three is generous. If the room is tired, stop.

Printing and setup

• Print one card per player or per pair. For bingo, print one calling sheet for the adult.
• Use normal paper for one-time games and thicker paper for cards you want to keep.
• Cut the calling cards before the guests arrive, not during the game.
• Put everything in one folder: cards, calling sheet, timer, small prizes.
• Check the rules once with the group. A game that needs a long explanation loses the room.

Frequently asked questions

What are good Christmas games for mixed ages?

Picture bingo, charades and a scavenger hunt work across ages because the rules are simple and nobody needs to read fast. Pair younger children with an adult or an older child, and keep rounds short.

How long should Christmas party games last?

Plan two or three games of 10 to 20 minutes each, not a full evening. A game works best when people are still having fun and can stop. If a round drags, end it and move on.

Do you need prizes for Christmas games?

No. A small treat, the right to choose the next game, or a paper crown is enough. For a family gathering, the game is the entertainment, not the prize table.

Can you play these Christmas games in a classroom?

Yes. Picture bingo, word games and charades work in a classroom if you keep groups small and explain the rules once. Print one card per child or per pair, and keep a calling list for the adult.

What is a good Christmas game for adults only?

Christmas trivia, a left-right gift exchange, or a memory game with Christmas objects works well for adults. Keep the questions general and avoid anything that embarrasses a guest.

A ready-made option

If you want the cards and calling sheets ready to print, our Christmas Games Printable includes picture bingo, trivia, word games and more, in US Letter and A4. For a full evening, the Christmas Activity Bundle adds coloring pages, advent cards and activity sheets. The free Christmas sampler is the quickest way to see how the pages look.