7 Festive Games to Enjoy with the Whole Family

Materials:

• Spoons
• Cotton balls or mini marshmallows
• Ribbon or similar to mark the finish line

Objective and Rules

Two or more players must run or walk as fast as they can while balancing their “snowball” on a spoon. If the snowball falls, the player returns to the starting point (or go back 3 steps) before continuing.
 

Materials:

• One pair of thick woollen mittens or oven mitts for each player
• A small gift or wrapped candies for each player

Objective and Rules

The objective is to fully unwrap the gift or candy while wearing the mitts. The first player to finish unwrapping wins. This one is sure to get everyone giggling!

Materials:

• One ball of yarn per player
• A small treat (candy, toy) to tie to the end of the ball
• A large space, like a living room or hallway

Objective and Rules

The game leader ties the object to the end of the yarn ball, then unravels it all throughout the space (under chairs, around table legs, etc.). Players have to follow the string to the find the surprise. The first to reach the end wins the object. If you don’t have room for several players to play at the same time, use a stopwatch to time each player. Then have each player wind up the yarn ball again!

Materials:

• One pair of children’s tights per player (if you don’t have enough for everyone, compete in rounds with the same pair)
• 2 clementines for each pair of tights
• Plastic bottles filled with water or other objects for knocking over

Objective and Rules

Put one clementines in each leg of the tights. Each player pulls the waistband of the tights over their head like a hat, so that the legs hang down like a rabbit’s ears. Players then use their “rabbit ears” to knock down the bottles or objects placed on the ground in front of them. The first to knock down the objects wins.

Materials:

• A party balloon (inflated, but not too fully)

Objective and Rules

Two players must race a short distance (zigzag, back and forth, etc.) while holding the balloon between them, all without using their hands. They can hold it between their backs, foreheads, hips, stomachs, or shoulders. If they drop the balloon, they must start over from the beginning of the race. This is a great cooperative game!

Materials:

• A little elf, figurine, or Christmas decoration

Objective and Rules

One player hides the object somewhere in the room. The others have to find it. The hider gives clues by saying “cold” (far away), “warm” (getting close), or “hot” (very close). The first to find the object gets to be the next hider.

Materials:

• A light object to throw, such as a foam ball or small stuffie

Objective and Rules

Players throw the ball or stuffie back and forth. When the game leader names a category (e.g., Christmas foods), the catcher has to say a word that fits the category before they can throw it in turn. But they have to be quick so the snow doesn’t melt! Special rule: If the leader says “PRESENT,” the catcher has to say, “It’s a surprise!” instead of naming a gift before they can throw the object back. Anyone who hesitates or says the wrong word gets eliminated or faces a challenge.