Top 10 Christmas Games for the Family

Once you’ve opened all the presents, enjoyed a festive feast and watched the Queen’s Speech, it’s time for some family games! Hopefully, with our favourite family game picks, you won’t hear the dreaded words of “I’m bored!”. Make the most of this opportunity to thrash family members and enjoy their company.

1. Noughts and Crosses Game

Noughts and Crosses, also known as Tic Tac Toe, can ignite a competitive Christmas spirit in players. Two players have to compete to complete a matching line of three noughts or crosses tokens. The ideal opportunity for little ones to develop their strategic minds. 

When the game is over, store all the pieces in the wooden frame. You can even stick on some festive stickers on the noughts and crosses pieces to make the game even more Christmassy!

2. Snowball Fights

Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash

Now, we know this depends on Mother Nature doing her thing and covering the nation in a blanket of snow…but, if we’re lucky enough to enjoy a White Christmas, get outside and build a snow fort on either side of the garden. Take it in turns to throw snowballs at the opposition!

If there’s no snow in sight, have a try of these non-snow snowball alternatives. You can use ping pong balls, cotton wool balls or loose feathers as snowballs to throw at your family instead! Whoever gets rid of their ping pong balls/cotton wool/feathers first, wins!

3. Snakes and Ladders

A classic wooden board game loved by families around the world, Snakes and Ladders can be played with up to four players at a time. Players must race to get to the top of the board, avoiding slipping down the snakes along the way. A great board game for kids, it encourages social skills and learning to take turns. Will you beat your brother or sister?

4. Snowman Drawing Competition

Photo by HousingAForest

On your marks, get set, draw! Grab a piece of paper or a (clean) paper plate to draw on. The person who draws the best snowman design wins! Use anything from colourful highlighters to metallic crayons and pastel colouring pens. Think of all the different textures too, such as tissue paper, corrugated cardboard and felt that can take the snowman to a whole new level!

5. Four In A Row

Four in a Row, also known as Connect Four, is a traditional two-player board game. Little ones will be occupied for hours as they try to wipe out their opponent (Mum, Dad, Grandma or Grandad). The first player to form a row of their four counters wins! It helps develop kids’ problem-solving skills as they learn to think strategically. 

6. Reindeer Toss Game

This game requires a little bit of DIY and scavenging. Send the kids outside to find some v-shaped twigs or sticks to use as antlers. Then, stick or “screw” the antlers into a cardboard box and use pipe-cleaner rings (or similar) to toss on the antlers. The winner is the person who manages to get all their rings on the antlers. Don’t forget to add Rudolph’s face on the front of the box.

7. Pull Back Cars

It’s the Christmas Grand Prix at the exclusive racing track venue of… The Living Room! Pull back cars are a fun activity to share with the family. Red Car and Yellow Car are ready to win the race. Simply pull them back and go! They’re sure to delight kids and grown-ups as they watch them race to the finish line.

8. Oven Gloves Challenge

Photo by Amina Filkins from Pexels

Does someone in your family get a bit eager when unwrapping their presents? Put their unwrapping skills to the test with the Oven “Christmitts” Game. With the family sitting in a circle, the youngest player picks a number from 1-6. 

Pass a plate and the die around until someone rolls the chosen number. The first person to do this puts on the oven gloves and starts opening the present. As soon as someone else rolls the chosen number, they take over with the gloves and unwrapping the gift. This carries on until someone completely unwraps the present and is crowned the winner!

9. Plant Pot Shot

Skill and accuracy are going to be tested with Plant Pot Shot! Players need to take it in turns to flip a coloured ball into its matching hole on the board. The player who successfully manages to pot all their four coloured balls in the holes first, wins! This wooden board game can be played by four players, a great way to get Granny and Grandpa involved!  

10. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

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Set up a scavenger hunt: festive style! Kids have to tick off everything they spot around the house off their list. Why not personalise it with sentimental Christmas items to make it even more special?

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Hungry for more? Find more family games here!