Get ready to make spirits bright! Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, entertaining the kids or creating new traditions, our festive collection of games and activities has something for everyone. From laugh-out-loud party games to cozy crafts and crowd-pleasing desserts, these ideas will turn your holiday gathering into a memory-making success.
Fun Christmas Games for Families & Holiday Parties
When it comes to Christmas party games, variety is key. Whether you’re wrangling kids, teens or adults, these family-friendly activities bring out the joy of the season with just the right mix of competition, laughs and holiday magic.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
A white elephant gift exchange is the perfect way to keep things light, silly and fun during your holiday get-together. Guests bring a wrapped gift, then take turns choosing or “stealing” a present from someone else! It’s full of surprises and laughter — as long as you don’t get too attached to your first pick.
Plastic Wrap Unwrapping Game
Turn up the holiday hijinks with this hilariously fast-paced game. Wrap small prizes (like candy, money and trinkets) in layers of plastic wrap to create a giant prize ball. Each player has a chance to unwrap the ball while wearing gloves — but only until the next person rolls doubles with the dice!
You’ll Need:
- Winter gloves or oven mitts
- Plastic wrap
- 2 dice
- Assorted candy like KIT KAT® Snack Size Candy Bars or HERSHEY’S NUGGETS Assortment
- Small trinkets, money or gift cards
How to Play:
- Wrap small prizes in a tight plastic wrap ball.
- Players sit in a circle. One player wears the gloves and tries to unwrap the ball.
- The next player rolls two dice until they get doubles — that’s when it’s their turn to unwrap.
- The unwrapped prizes are yours to keep.
Guess the Candy in the Jar
This is a super simple and super sweet game that’s fun for all ages. Just fill a clear jar with a variety of holiday candies (our favorite is HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolates) and let guests guess how many are inside. The closest guess wins the jar and the goodies!
Holiday Cookie Exchange & Hot Cocoa Bar
Imagine a cookie swap plus a hot cocoa bar. Yes, please! Invite guests to bring a batch of their favorite holiday cookies and then vote on “Most Festive,” “Best Flavor,” or “Prettiest Presentation.” You could even have guests decorate their own sugar cookies and treats by offering a decorating station. Pair it with a cozy cocoa station for the ultimate sweet setup.
Gift Wrapping Race
In this game, it pays to have fast hands! Set up a table with gift wrapping supplies and challenge players to wrap awkwardly shaped and sized gifts as quickly and as neatly as possible.
You’ll Need:
- Boxes or assorted items from around the house in all shapes and sizes
- Wrapping paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Stopwatch or timer (optional)
How to Play:
- Players have a time limit to wrap as many items as possible.
- Judges can score based on neatness, creativity and speed.
- Bonus points get awarded for wrapping unusually shaped objects.
- The player with the most points wins.
Candy Cane Relay
This competitive and past-paced relay is fun for kids and grown-ups alike. It’s a festive twist on a traditional race — but no hands are allowed!
You’ll Need:
- JOLLY RANCHER Holiday Candy Canes
How to Play:
- Divide the participants into two teams.
- The starting team member of each team is given a single candy cane. At the opposite end of the table or room, there is a cup of more candy canes.
- The starting team member must run to the cup of more candy canes and, using only their mouth, fish out another candy cane for the next team member.
- Once hooked, the team member must carefully transport the candy cane to the next team member.
- The first team to finish their relay wins.
Holiday Movie Bingo & Trivia
Get cozy and test your movie knowledge! Set up a bingo station or host trivia rounds based on popular holiday films. This activity will be a hit with both families and classroom parties.
Crafts & Christmas Activities for Kids
Are you looking for festively fun activities or ways to keep little hands busy? These kid-friendly games and crafts are easy, joyful and full of holiday charm.
Letters to Santa
If ever there were a timeless tradition for the holidays, this is it! Set up a letter-writing station with festive paper and stickers. Kids can drop their notes into a “North Pole Express” mailbox.
Holiday Coloring Pages & DIY Christmas Cards
From images of Hanukkah to Christmas and Kwanzaa, our printable coloring pages offer creative fun for every kid. Add glitter and stickers for extra flair. These masterpieces can also easily be transformed into DIY Christmas cards. Just include a thoughtful message, fold and place into an envelope.
Holiday Candy Crafts
Build the sweetest holiday memories with edible crafts made with your favorite Hershey candies and chocolates. They’re festive, family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy.
Stocking-Stuffer Scavenger Hunt
Who doesn’t love hunting for holiday surprises? Hide small toys or candies around the house for a merry scavenger hunt.
You’ll Need:
- Chocolates or candies
- Stocking stuffers
- Clue cards
How to Play:
- Hide treats and clues around the house.
- Let kids follow the hints to find each item.
- Finish with a “stocking surprise” at the end.
Gingerbread House Decorating
Whether it’s from a kit or homemade, decorating a gingerbread house is a classic holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy. The best part is it doesn’t even need to be made out of gingerbread. Get inspired by this HERSHEY’S house, which you can accessorize with REESE’S trees. It just takes is a little candy and frosting and a whole lot of imagination.
DIY Hot Cocoa Bombs
Hot cocoa bombs are not only a warm winter treat but also a crafty delight. Personalize them with marshmallows, sprinkles, candy, melted chocolate or anything that sounds delicious.
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Turn sugar cookies into edible art. All you need are icing, candy and sprinkles to decorate cookies your way.
Christmas Tic-Tac-Toe
Here’s a deliciously playful twist on a classic game — using candy!
You’ll Need:
- TWIZZLERS Twists Merry Berry Punch Candy
- TWIZZLER’S Twists Strawberry Flavored Candy
- HERSHEY’S KISSES Holiday Milk Chocolate Candy (as game pieces)
- Plate (as game board)
Directions:
- Arrange your TWIZZLERS Twists into the shape of a tic-tac-toe grid.
- Give each player five HERSHEY’S KISSES Candies of a single color.
- Have players take turns putting HERSHEY’S KISSES Candies in the grid of TWIZZLERS Twists. The first person who gets three in a row wins.
Holiday & Christmas Dessert Recipes for a Crowd
Whether you’re baking for a potluck or planning a dessert table, we have plenty of crowd-pleasing recipes that will hit all the sweet spots. Give these a try:
Frequently Asked Questions
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A White Elephant Gift Exchange, Holiday Movie Bingo or the Plastic Wrap Unwrapping Game can keep everyone entertained after dinner.
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Games and activities like Guess the Candy in the Jar, cookie decorating and trivia are easy and budget friendly.
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Check out our guide to white elephant gift exchanges for ideas that mix humor and usefulness.
