Holiday Games for the Whole Family

For some, the holidays might feel like a never-ending to-do list. For others, boredom can set in rather quickly during a long holiday break. No matter what, it’s essential to have some relief from the stress of cooking an entire family feast or the ennui that accompanies the wait for said feast to hit the table.

Enter family game night. No holiday season is complete without a bit of festive family competition, and games are a great way to keep everyone entertained during those long cold nights when no one dares step outside. 

Gather around the table or cozy up by the fire with our picks for the best holiday games the whole family will enjoy.

Holiday Bingo

Holiday bingo is just what it sounds like—a holiday-themed rendering of the classic game bingo. There are plenty of printable holiday bingo cards to choose from online, with dozens of interpretations of the theme “holiday.” Choose from kid-friendly holiday bingo cards, picture-only bingo cards, Hallmark movie bingo cards, or adult-catered bingo cards.

To make things more interesting, make up your own holiday bingo cards using customizable online templates. Fill them out with funny pictures or inside jokes that will get a kick out of the entire family. You can even set your own rules on how to fill out the card or offer prizes to the winner to liven things up. 

Holiday Scavenger Hunt

A holiday scavenger hunt is a perfect way to energize everyone on a lethargic winter day. The possibilities are endless when it comes to holiday-themed scavenger hunts, and you can make the mission as relaxed or demanding as you like. Here are some of our favorite ideas for holiday scavenger hunts:

• Hide items around your house. This low-maintenance scavenger hunt option is adult and kid-friendly. Hide holiday-themed items around your home and give everyone a list of those items; whoever finds them all first wins!

• Holiday activity checklist. This option requires a bit more preparation and thought but is sure to be a blast for the whole family. Have everyone complete classic holiday activities like posing under a mistletoe, caroling to a group of strangers, and making snow angels. It may be a bit more arduous, but are the holidays really complete without everyone hopping into a pile of freshly fallen snow

• Explore the city. If you’re feeling ambitious, plan a scavenger hunt around town. You can do this by having everyone take photos in front of the holiday landmarks in your area. Alternatively, you can hide a series of clues around the city, leading to a final gathering point like a café or bar where everyone can celebrate afterward!