Introduction

Christmas is one of the few times in the year when friends and family slow down, gather under one roof, and make memories together. When it is cold outside (or simply too busy to go out), Christmas indoor games can turn a normal evening into a laughing, unforgettable celebration.

In this guide, you’ll find 21 best Christmas indoor game ideas that work for kids, teens, adults, and mixed-age families. You can play them in small apartments or big living rooms, with just a few people or a full house. Most games use simple items you already have at home, so you can focus on fun instead of planning.

Why Christmas Indoor Games Make the Season Feel Special?

Playing games at home during Christmas:

• Brings people closer and breaks the ice
• Helps everyone put phones away and be present
• Creates memories that kids and adults remember for years
• Works even when the weather is bad or shops are closed

Whether you’re planning a family get-together, a holiday party with friends, or a cozy Christmas Eve at home, these Christmas indoor game ideas give you plenty of options to keep everyone happy and engaged.

Choosing the Right Christmas Indoor Game

Before you jump into the list of the 21 best Christmas indoor game ideas, keep these points in mind:

• Check the age range – Make sure younger kids can join or have a simpler version.
• Think about space – Some games need room to move; others are perfect for a couch.
• Match the energy level – Early evening might be good for active games; later you may want calm, relaxing ones.
• Prepare basic supplies – Paper, pens, tape, plastic cups, and small prizes are often enough.

Now let’s dive into the 21 games you can use to fill your Christmas with laughter and connection.

1. Christmas Charades

Charades is a classic party game, and turning it into a Christmas theme makes it even better.

How to play:

• Write Christmas-related words or phrases on small pieces of paper, such as:
  • Santa delivering gifts
  • Wrapping presents
  • Decorating a tree
  • Snowman melting
• Put them into a bowl.
• One player picks a slip, acts it out without speaking, and the others guess.

Why it works:

• No special equipment needed
• Great for mixed ages
• Always creates lots of laughter

2. Holiday Pictionary

If you like drawing and guessing, Holiday Pictionary is one of the easiest Christmas indoor game ideas to prepare.

How to play:

• Divide players into two teams.
• Use a whiteboard, chalkboard, or sheets of paper.
• Write holiday words or phrases (like “reindeer,” “mistletoe,” “Christmas market”) on cards.
• A player from each team draws the word while teammates guess within a time limit.

Tip: Don’t worry about drawing skills. Bad drawings usually make the game even funnier.

3. Christmas Bingo

Christmas Bingo is perfect for kids, older relatives, and anyone who enjoys a calm but fun indoor game.

How to play:

• Create Bingo cards with Christmas symbols instead of numbers:
  • Santa
  • Bells
  • Candy cane
  • Gingerbread man
  • Stars
• Call out or show images one by one.
• First to get a full row (or whole card) shouts “Merry Christmas!”

You can give small prizes like chocolate, candy canes, or stickers.

4. Christmas Scavenger Hunt (Indoor Edition)

You don’t need to go outside for a scavenger hunt. You can easily turn your home into a treasure map.

How to play:

• Hide small items or clues around the house, such as:
  • A red ornament behind curtains
  • A note under a sofa cushion
  • A candy cane in a shoe
• Make a list of things to find or create clue cards that lead from one place to another.
• Players or teams race to finish the list.

Variation:

• For younger kids, use pictures instead of written clues.
• For teens and adults, make riddles to solve.

5. Christmas Movie Trivia

This game is perfect for fans of classic holiday films.

How to play:

• Prepare trivia questions from famous Christmas movies such as:
  • “Which city is Home Alone set in?”
  • “What is the name of the Grinch’s dog?”
• Divide into teams or play individually.
• Ask questions and keep score.

You can play this before or after a Christmas movie marathon.

6. Name That Christmas Tune

Music adds magic to the season, and guessing songs is one of the most fun Christmas indoor games.

How to play:

• Make a playlist of Christmas songs (carols, pop songs, classics).
• Play only a few seconds of each song.
• Players shout out the title, and extra points if they know the singer.

Tip:

• Make a “kids version” with well-known songs like “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

7. Snowball Toss (Soft Indoor Version)

Even if you don’t have snow, you can still enjoy a “snowball” game indoors.

How to play:

• Make “snowballs” from crumpled white paper, soft balls, or cotton-filled socks.
• Place several bowls, buckets, or boxes at different distances.
• Assign points to each target (farther is worth more).
• Players take turns throwing snowballs and trying to score as many points as possible.

This is a great way for kids to burn off energy without going outside.

8. Gift Wrap Race

Wrapping presents can become a game instead of a chore.

How to play:

• Prepare empty boxes, wrapping paper, tape, and ribbon.
• Players (or teams) race to wrap a box as quickly as possible.
• You can judge not only speed but also neatness and creativity.

Variation:

• Make it harder by asking players to wrap with one hand behind their back or while blindfolded (with supervision).

9. Christmas Minute-to-Win-It Challenges

If you like fast-paced, silly tasks, this is one of the best Christmas indoor game ideas for a party. You can prepare a series of 60-second challenges.

Examples of challenges:

• Stack as many plastic cups as possible into a tree shape
• Move ornaments from one bowl to another using only a spoon held in your mouth
• Balance a small gift box on your head and walk across the room

How to play:

• Set a timer for one minute.
• Each player or team tries to complete the challenge or beat the others.

This style keeps everyone active and entertained.

10. Stocking Stuffer Mystery Game

Turn Christmas stockings into a guessing game.

How to play:

• Fill stockings with small items (toys, fruits, candy, mini gadgets).
• Without looking, each player reaches into the stocking and tries to guess what they are touching.
• Give points for correct answers.

Tip:

• Use a mix of obvious and unusual items to keep it interesting.

11. Gingerbread House Challenge

Gingerbread houses are fun to make, and they become even more exciting with a competition.

How to play:

• Set up a table with gingerbread pieces (or crackers), icing, and candies.
• Divide players into teams.
• Give them a time limit (for example, 30 minutes) to build and decorate a house.
• Judge houses based on:
  • Creativity
  • Stability
  • Christmas theme

This game is both creative and delicious.

12. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest

Similar to gingerbread houses but simpler and perfect for younger children.

How to play:

• Bake or buy plain sugar cookies in shapes like trees, stars, and bells.
• Provide icing, sprinkles, and toppings.
• Everyone decorates their own cookie.

You can judge cookies or simply admire them and then eat them together. This is one of the sweetest Christmas indoor games for a cozy family night.

13. Two Truths and a Lie: Christmas Edition

This is a great party game that helps people learn funny facts about each other.

How to play:

• Each player thinks of three “facts” about their Christmas experiences:
  • Two are true.
  • One is made up.
• They read them out loud.
• The group guesses which one is the lie.

Examples:

• “I once dressed as an elf for a school play.”
• “I have never tasted eggnog.”
• “I opened my presents a week early without anyone knowing.”

This game often leads to interesting stories and laughter.

14. Christmas Would You Rather…? 

This is a simple talking game that works at the dinner table or around the tree.

How to play:

• Prepare a list of Christmas-themed “Would you rather” questions, such as:
  • Would you rather have snow every day of December or sunshine and warm weather?
  • Would you rather get one big present or many small ones?
  • Would you rather decorate the tree or bake cookies?
• Go around the room and let each player answer.

This game is perfect when you want low-energy but engaging Christmas indoor game ideas.

15. Pass the Parcel with Holiday Dares

Pass the Parcel is fun for kids and adults when you add a Christmas twist.

How to play:

• Wrap a small gift in many layers of wrapping paper.
• Between each layer, place a note with a task or dare, such as:
  • “Sing one verse of a Christmas carol.”
  • “Do your best Santa laugh.”
  • “Share your favorite Christmas memory.”
• Players sit in a circle and pass the parcel while music plays.
• When the music stops, the person holding the parcel unwraps one layer and does the task.

The final layer reveals the main prize.

16. Christmas Story Building Game

This creative game can be sweet, funny, or completely silly depending on the group.

How to play:

• One person starts a Christmas story with one sentence, for example:
  • “On Christmas Eve, the lights suddenly went out in the whole town…”
• The next person adds another sentence.
• Continue around the circle, building the story together.

You can record the story or write it down to keep as a memory. This game works well with both kids and adults.

17. Christmas Indoor Obstacle Course

If you have a bit of space, you can set up a simple obstacle course with a holiday twist.

How to play:

• Use cushions, chairs, and tape to create a path.
• Add Christmas challenges, such as:
  • Crawling under a “tinsel tunnel” (a blanket with tinsel)
  • Walking while balancing a small present on your head
  • Tossing a “snowball” into a basket before moving on

Time each player and see who completes the course fastest. Make sure everything is safe and soft to avoid injuries.

18. Ornament Balance Challenge

This is another funny Christmas indoor game idea that uses basic decorations.

How to play:

• Give each player a spoon and a lightweight ornament or ping-pong ball.
• Players must walk from one side of the room to the other while balancing the ornament on the spoon.
• If it falls, they go back to the start.

Variation:

• Make it a relay race with teams.

19. Christmas Guess the Scent

This game focuses on smell and is very unique compared to typical indoor games.

How to play:

• Prepare several small containers filled with Christmas-related scents, such as:
  • Cinnamon
  • Orange peel
  • Vanilla
  • Hot chocolate powder
  • Pine needles (or pine-scented items)
• Blindfold players and let them smell each container.
• They guess the scent and score points for correct answers.

This is a gentle, sensory game that many people enjoy, especially when you want a calmer activity.

20. Christmas Karaoke Contest

If your group loves music, this can become the highlight of the evening.

How to play:

• Use a TV, laptop, or phone with karaoke videos of Christmas songs.
• Players take turns choosing a song.
• You can judge based on:
  • Enthusiasm
  • Creativity
  • Audience reaction

You can also sing together as a group, turning it into a mini Christmas concert at home.

21. Christmas Gratitude Circle Game

This final game is quiet but powerful. It helps end the night on a warm, meaningful note.

How to play:

• Everyone sits in a circle.
• Pass around a small object, like an ornament or candle (unlit for safety).
• When someone holds it, they share one thing they are grateful for this Christmas.
• You can turn it into a “game” by challenging everyone to share something different from what has already been mentioned.

This simple activity reminds everyone what the season is really about.

How to Mix and Match These Best Christmas Indoor Game Ideas

You don’t need to play all 21 games in one night. Instead, you can:

• Pick 3–5 games for a family Christmas Eve
• Choose active games (like Snowball Toss and Obstacle Course) for kids in the afternoon
• Save calm games (like Gratitude Circle and Guess the Scent) for later in the evening
• Use creative games (like Cookie Decorating and Story Building) for a holiday party with mixed ages

A good rule is to start with simple icebreakers, move into more active games, and finish with relaxing, reflective activities.

Conclusion

These 21 best Christmas indoor game ideas are designed to bring joy, laughter, and connection to your holiday season. Whether you’re playing with children, friends, or extended family, indoor games help you create moments that feel warm and unforgettable, even long after the decorations are taken down.

You can adapt every game to your space, your budget, and your group. Add music, snacks, and a few small prizes, and your home will become the most festive place to be.

Most of all, remember: the real goal of these Christmas indoor games is not to win, but to spend time together, share stories, and build traditions that you’ll look forward to every year.