The holiday season brings families together, and finding ways to connect and have fun is more important than ever. Family Christmas games online offer the perfect solution for gathering loved ones around a screen during the festive months. Whether you’re separated by distance or looking to add entertainment to your holiday gatherings, these interactive activities bring joy and laughter to every celebration.
December doesn’t need expensive outings or complicated setups anymore. With the right Christmas games, you can host memorable gatherings from the comfort of your own home. Many of these games require minimal prep and work well for all age groups, making them perfect for families with kids and grandparents. The best part about these Christmas games is their flexibility; you can play whenever it works for you, with however many people you have available.
In this article, we’ve compiled 18 family Christmas games online that will turn your holiday season into an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, connection, and genuine entertainment.
Best Family Christmas Games Online for Every Age and Interest
1. Virtual Scavenger Hunts: Finding Christmas Magic at Home
Scavenger hunts take the excitement of treasure hunting and give it a festive twist. During a virtual scavenger hunt, family members race around their homes looking for specific items from a list you provide. Start with items like candy canes, wrapped presents, ornaments, or Christmas socks. Set a timer for five to ten minutes and watch as everyone scrambles to locate their treasures.
The lightning round variation adds an extra layer of fun; instead of giving the complete list upfront, you call out items one by one, keeping everyone on their toes. This keeps the energy high and prevents younger players from getting overwhelmed. Alternatively, try the riddled list approach where clues replace straightforward items. For example, ask for “something red and sparkly” or “a symbol of a cherished tradition.” Video calls work exceptionally well for this type of holiday entertainment because you can see the items as people hold them up to their cameras, confirming each find in real time. Playing family Christmas games online through this format keeps everyone engaged and accountable.
2. Christmas Movie Trivia: Test Your Holiday Film Knowledge
For families who love cozy nights watching their favorite holiday films, Christmas movie trivia becomes both a competitive and nostalgic experience. Prepare questions that span different decades and genres of Christmas films. Ask players to identify movie titles from famous quotes, recognize scenes from brief descriptions, or identify actors from their roles in holiday films.
One creative approach involves playing short audio clips of iconic lines and having participants guess the movie title and character who spoke them. Another variation asks players to describe scrambled scenes from well-known Christmas movies, while others race to identify the film. Family Christmas games online like this work brilliantly because they combine entertainment with reminiscing about beloved holiday classics. Keep score and award small prizes to make the competition feel more engaging for all skill levels.
3. Jingle Mingle Bingo: A Festive Twist on a Classic Game
Bingo has entertained families for generations, and a Christmas version keeps that tradition alive in the digital age. Create bingo cards with Christmas-themed descriptions instead of numbers, items like “has decorated their house” or “has baked cookies this week.” During the game, read off clues, and players mark their cards when they match someone who fits that description.
To play on a video call, split participants into teams using breakout rooms. Give each team a link to a bingo card and read off clues from the main room. The first team to get five squares in a row and return wins the round. This format keeps family Christmas games online interactive and encourages people to learn more about each other. Even family members who haven’t spoken recently can reconnect through the stories shared during the game.
4. Cookie Decorating Challenge: Edible Art and Friendly Competition
Nothing portrays Christmas celebration quite like making and decorating cookies together. Arrange a time for family members to bake sugar cookies or gingerbread ahead of time, then set up cameras in their kitchens for a decorating session. Have everyone gather frosting, sprinkles, candies, and other edible decorations.
Once everyone is ready, set a timer for fifteen to twenty minutes and begin the decorating competition. Family members can show off their artistic skills while commentary and laughter flow through the video call. Afterward, take photos of each masterpiece and have everyone vote on categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Humorous,” or “Best Use of Sprinkles.” This type of interactive celebration creates memorable moments while producing tasty treats that people actually eat and enjoy. The beauty of playing family Christmas games online in this way means your family bonds over baking and creativity.
5. Virtual Christmas Charades: Acting Without Speaking
Charades strips down to pure acting ability and team spirit. Prepare a list of Christmas-themed words and phrases, such as “decorating a tree,” “building a snowman,” “singing Christmas carols,” or classic characters like Santa and Rudolph. One family member draws or acts out the prompt without speaking while their team races to guess correctly.
Set a timer for one to two minutes per round and watch as grown adults become animated performers acting out holiday activities. Everyone gets a clear view of the action through their camera, which is why online celebrations suit this game so well. Laughter comes easily when someone dramatically mimes wrapping presents or pretends to feed reindeer. Keep score across multiple rounds to determine the winning team. These types of entertainment options show how family Christmas games online bring out people’s playful side.
6. Christmas Emoji Quiz: Decode the Festive Messages
Modern families enjoy this contemporary twist on word games. Create combinations of emojis that spell out Christmas-related words, phrases, or even song titles. For example, use a calendar emoji with the number 25 to represent Christmas Day, or combine a bell and a tree to hint at a carol title.
Players race to decipher the emoji combinations and type their answers in the chat. Assign points for correct guesses and offer bonus points for creative interpretations or speedy answers. Family Christmas games online like this work wonderfully because everyone has instant access to emojis on their devices. Younger family members often excel at this game, giving them a competitive advantage that makes the experience feel fair and inclusive.
7. Never Have I Ever: Christmas Edition
This talking game encourages family members to share stories and learn surprising facts about each other. Start with ten fingers up and take turns making statements beginning with “Never Have I Ever” using Christmas themes. If someone has done the thing mentioned, they lower a finger.
Sample prompts include: “Never Have I Ever forgotten to buy presents until Christmas Eve,” “Never Have I Ever made cookies from scratch for the holidays,” or “Never Have I Ever spent Christmas in a different country.” The game continues until only one person remains or until a set number of rounds have been completed. These conversation starters naturally spark interactions and create deeper connections as people share the stories behind their experiences.
8. Secret Santa Exchange: The Remote Gift Swap
Even from a distance, families can participate in Secret Santa traditions. Use online platforms like Elfster or DrawNames to organize the entire exchange. Participants create wishlists and budget limits on the platform, which then randomly assigns gift givers.
Once assigned, gift givers purchase and mail presents to their assigned recipients before a scheduled date. On Christmas Day or a designated evening, everyone hops on a video call to open presents together. The guessing game begins as recipients try to determine who sent their gift based on the present’s contents. This method successfully maintains holiday traditions while accommodating real-life distance and logistics. Distributing family Christmas games online in this format lets distant relatives participate in meaningful gift-giving moments.
9. Ugly Sweater Competition: Fashion Meets Fun
Bring back the beloved ugly sweater party in a virtual format. Ask all participants to wear their tackiest Christmas sweater, whether it’s genuinely ugly, hilariously garish, or delightfully vintage. Set a judging time and have everyone model their sweaters on camera.
Create voting categories like “Most Lights,” “Most Mismatched,” “Most Likely to Cause a Power Outage,” or simply “Overall Ugliest.” Award silly prizes or bragging rights to the winners. This celebration format embraces humor and celebrates the kitsch that makes holiday fashion entertaining. The stories behind how people acquired their sweaters often provide as much entertainment as the sweaters themselves. Choosing family Christmas games online that focus on self-expression, such as this one, allows everyone to showcase their personality.
10. Christmas Pictionary: Drawing and Guessing
Pictionary combines creativity, quick thinking, and a competitive spirit. Choose an online platform with digital whiteboard capabilities—most video conferencing software includes this feature. Divide family members into teams and assign Christmas-themed prompts to artists.
One family member draws their assigned word or phrase while their team races to guess correctly within a time limit. Topics could include “Santa’s sleigh,” “Snowball Fight,” “Gingerbread House,” or “Christmas shopping.” Points go to the team that guesses correctly first.
11. Hot Cocoa Blind Tasting: Testing Your Taste Buds
For the cocoa lovers in your family, this game combines treats with friendly competition. Before the video call, mail different hot cocoa mixes to participants in numbered packages. Purchase varieties like classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate with peppermint, salted caramel, or specialty flavors.
During the game, everyone prepares their hot cocoa together while on the call. Then, participants taste each variety and try to identify the flavors. The person who correctly identifies the most flavors wins. This celebration brings warmth and sensory engagement to your gathering. Enjoying family Christmas games online like this one gives families an excuse to have warm drinks together during a festive evening while engaging their taste buds.
12. Name That Christmas Song: Testing Musical Memory
Christmas music fills homes during the season, making this game a natural fit for holiday celebrations. Prepare audio clips of popular Christmas carols with just a few seconds of melody. Play brief snippets and have participants race to identify the song title.
For an added challenge, provide creative clues instead of playing the actual music. You might describe the lyrics in poetic terms or share facts about the song’s history. Family members can provide answers by typing in the chat or raising their hands to respond. Award points for correct guesses and bonus points for speed. This nostalgic approach to holiday entertainment connects people through shared musical memories and childhood experiences. Playing games online centered on music creates bonding opportunities across age groups.
13. Minute to Win It Christmas Edition: Speed Challenges
These quick games pack maximum entertainment into sixty-second bursts. Gather small items beforehand, such as marshmallows, candy canes, cookies, and ordinary household objects. Create challenges like “stack marshmallows as high as possible,” “move a cookie from your forehead to your mouth using only facial muscles,” or “hang candy canes on your face.”
Participants gather necessary supplies before the video call begins. When you call out each challenge, everyone has exactly one minute to complete it. Score points based on performance and track overall winners. The rapid-fire nature of this entertainment style keeps everyone energized and laughing throughout. Selecting family Christmas games online with time pressures like these keeps the energy high and prevents any dull moments during your celebration.
14. Christmas Two Truths and One Lie: Storytelling and Guessing
This icebreaker takes on holiday flair with Christmas-themed content. Each family member prepares three statements about their Christmas experiences—two true stories and one fabrication. During the game, people take turns sharing their statements while others guess which one is false.
Encourage creative storytelling, such as “I once received a live reindeer as a gift” or “I’ve spent Christmas Day at the beach.” The competition intensifies as family members debate which statements are genuine based on what they know about each other. Stories emerge that nobody has heard before, creating opportunities for authentic connection. Integrating Christmas games online that emphasize storytelling helps build understanding and brings family members closer together than typical video calls.
15. Digital Wheel Spin: Unpredictable Holiday Fun
Create a digital spinning wheel with festive sections filled with different challenges. Use online tools or presentation software to design your wheel with sections like “Sing a Christmas Carol,” “Share Your Funniest Holiday Memory,” “Do a Silly Christmas Dance,” or “Imitate a Christmas Character.”
Participants take turns spinning the wheel and completing whatever challenge their spin lands on. The spontaneous nature keeps energy high and creates moments of unexpected hilarity. Nobody knows what comes next, which maintains genuine excitement throughout the entire gathering. Technology has made it simple to run family Christmas games online with this unpredictable format that keeps people actively engaged from start to finish.
16. Christmas Trivia Challenge: Testing Holiday Knowledge
Beyond movies, general Christmas trivia spans traditions, history, and pop culture. Prepare questions about Christmas facts, traditions from different countries, holiday movie release years, or famous Christmas songs. Divide family members into teams for added competition.
Questions might include “In what year was ‘A Christmas Story’ released?” or “Which country started the tradition of putting up Christmas trees?” Award points for correct answers and consider bonus points for partially correct responses. This format teaches family members interesting holiday facts while maintaining competitive energy. Organizing family Christmas games online around trivia allows participants to showcase their knowledge and learn from each other simultaneously.
17. Gingerbread House Building Competition: Sweet Architectural Challenge
Take creativity to the next level with remote gingerbread house building. Before the game, mail gingerbread kits or ingredient sets to participants. These kits include pre-made gingerbread pieces, frosting, candies, and decorations.
During the video call, family members work on their creations simultaneously while others watch and offer encouragement. Set a time limit of thirty to forty-five minutes. When time expires, everyone stops and shows off their finished creations. Have family members vote on categories like “Most Creative,” “Most Structurally Sound,” or “Best Candy Placement.” This hands-on activity demonstrates how family Christmas games online blend competition with artistic expression, creating physical keepsakes from your celebration.
18. Christmas Costume Contest: Holiday Fashion Showcase
Invite family members to dress as their favorite Christmas character, holiday icon, or any festive outfit they choose. Ask people to dress up before the video call begins. When everyone is ready, have each person model their costume and explain their choice.
Create voting categories that celebrate different aspects of the costumes. Vote on categories like “Most Recognizable Character,” “Most Creative DIY Costume,” “Best Group Costume,” or “Judge’s Choice.” Award fun prizes or celebrate each person’s effort and imagination. Dressing up adds theatrical flair to your celebration and brings everyone’s playful nature to the surface. Selecting family Christmas games online that involve costumes gives participants the freedom to express their creativity and have fun without judgment.
Wrapping Up: Making Christmas Magic Together
Family celebration through digital means has revolutionized how loved ones connect during the holidays. These eighteen options cater to different interests, energy levels, and group sizes. Whether your family enjoys competitive games, creative challenges, or casual entertainment, this collection provides something for everyone.
The key to successful family celebrations lies in selecting games that align with your group’s personality and preferences. Start with one or two games per gathering to keep things relaxed and enjoyable. Hosting family Christmas games online transforms ordinary video calls into meaningful celebrations that your relatives will remember long after the season ends. These digital gatherings remind us that the holiday season ultimately celebrates togetherness, and technology allows us to maintain those precious connections despite physical distance.
