Christmas Party Games for the Whole Family, Kids and Office
Every December the same question comes up: what are we actually going to do once everyone has eaten? A few well-chosen games turn a long afternoon on the sofa into the part of the day people remember. The trick is matching the game to the group. What works for a table of six-year-olds falls flat at an office party, and the other way round.
This guide is organised by who is in the room, with timing advice and ideas you can set up in minutes.
Before you start: three rules that help any group
- Plan for 20–30 minute games. Attention drops after that, especially after a big meal.
- Have one quiet game and one loud game ready. Read the room and pick.
- Print and sort everything the day before. Pens, scorecards and prizes in one box saves a scramble on the day.
Games for young kids (ages 3–8)
Little ones need games with simple rules, lots of turns and no long waiting.
Christmas picture bingo
Bingo is perfect for this age because children do not need to read. Call out pictures such as a snowman, stocking or reindeer, and let them cover the squares with sweets or buttons. Christmas Bingo has 40 different picture cards, so a big family gathering does not end in ten winners at once. If you want to make your own words or themes, try our free bingo card generator.
Musical statues, festive version
Play Christmas music and freeze when it stops, but in a pose called out by the host: "Freeze like a snowman!" No printing needed and it burns off sugar.
Treasure hunt
A hunt with rhyming clue cards keeps a group of kids busy while adults clear the table. Hide a small prize or a bag of chocolate coins at the end.
Games for the whole family (mixed ages)
These are the games where grandparents, teenagers and seven-year-olds can all play together.
A printable family games set
The easiest route is a ready-made set. Christmas Family Game Night has 12 printable games for kids and adults, so you can pick two or three on the day depending on who is still awake.
A board game everyone can learn in a minute
Long strategy games divide families. A simple race game works better because luck keeps things even between ages. Race to the Gingerbread Village is a printable Christmas board game designed for exactly that.
Fill-in-the-blank stories
One person asks for a noun, a verb or a silly adjective without revealing the story; everyone shouts suggestions; then the finished story is read aloud. Children love it, and adults usually laugh harder. Christmas Fill-in-the-Blank Funny Stories has the stories ready to go.
Charades and "guess the Christmas film"
Write film titles, songs and objects on slips of paper, fold them into a bowl and play in two teams. Pair young children with an adult so they can whisper ideas.
Team quiz
Split into mixed-age teams so each one has someone who knows the old songs and someone who knows the new films. A short seasonal quiz of 20–30 questions is enough.
Games for adults
Once the kids are in bed, the evening can shift.
Murder mystery dinner
If you are hosting adults for a Christmas dinner, a murder mystery turns the whole meal into the entertainment. Each guest plays a character and the plot unfolds course by course. A Killer Christmas at Frostmere Manor is set up for a festive dinner party. Send characters a week ahead so people can find a costume.
Gift-swap games
A white elephant or "steal the gift" swap works with any budget. Set a clear spending limit and make sure every gift is wrapped so nobody can guess.
Pub-style quiz
Six rounds of ten questions, teams of four, and a scoreboard on the fridge. Add a picture round to pass around during dessert.
Games for the office party
Workplace games have different rules: nothing too personal, nothing that embarrasses people, and it all needs to work in a meeting room or restaurant.
What works
- Team games over individual ones. People who are shy relax when they are part of a team.
- Short rounds that fit around food and speeches.
- Games that mix departments, so the party is not just people standing with their usual colleagues.
The Office Holiday Party Games Pack has 12 team games written for work parties, which saves the organiser from inventing something at the last minute.
Office party tips
- Keep any game optional. Some people prefer to watch, and that is fine.
- Avoid games involving drinking or personal questions.
- If part of the team joins remotely, choose a game where answers can be typed into a chat.
- Small prizes such as a box of chocolates, an extra coffee voucher or a desk trophy go down well.
A sample Christmas day running order
| Time | Activity | Who |
|---|---|---|
| After lunch | Picture bingo | Kids + everyone |
| Mid-afternoon | Board game or fill-in-the-blank stories | Mixed ages |
| Before tea | Charades in two teams | Everyone |
| Evening | Quiz or murder mystery | Adults and teens |
Quick checklist
- Choose one game per group: kids, mixed, adults
- Print and sort everything the day before
- Prepare pens, scorecards and a few small prizes
- Keep games to 20–30 minutes
- Have a quiet backup game for when energy drops
FAQ
What are good Christmas games with no preparation? Charades, musical statues and "guess the Christmas song" from humming need nothing but people.
How many games should I plan? Three or four is plenty for a family gathering. You will rarely play more than that, but having options helps.
What is a good game for a large office party? Team-based games where tables compete work best, such as a quiz or a group challenge, because they include everyone without putting anyone on the spot.
