Between Christmas dinner and opening presents there is often a lull: children get restless, adults chat, and nobody knows which game to suggest. This wheel makes the call for you, with games that need at most a pen, paper and a few things from around the house.
Each result shows the rules in two or three sentences, enough to start straight away. Some games suit the youngest players (mystery stocking, elf hunt), others bring teenagers and grandparents together around the same table (Christmas categories, who’s the leader).
How to use it
- Gather everyone and spin the wheel: the game it lands on is the next one you play.
- Read the rules aloud and choose a host, ideally an adult who sits out the first round.
- Spend two minutes getting the props ready: paper, pens, small objects, music.
- After a round or two, spin again to switch games before attention fades.
All the options
- Christmas charades
- One player acts out a Christmas word (reindeer, chimney, sleigh, mince pie) without speaking or pointing at objects. Their team has one minute to guess; one point per word, then the other team plays.
- Pass the parcel
- Wrap a small prize in several layers of paper. It passes from hand to hand while music plays; each time it stops, the holder removes one layer, and whoever unwraps the last one keeps the prize.
- Yes/No game
- One player fires quick questions at another for one minute. The player in the hot seat must answer without ever saying “yes” or “no”; if they slip, they become the questioner.
- Musical statues
- Everyone dances to a Christmas song. When the music stops, freeze: anyone who moves becomes a judge and helps spot the next wobblers.
- Who am I?
- Stick a note on each player’s forehead with a Christmas or fairy-tale character. In turn, players ask yes-or-no questions to work out who they are.
- Draw and guess
- One player draws a Christmas word with no letters or numbers while their team guesses. One minute per drawing, then hand over the pen.
- Christmas categories
- Pick a letter; everyone writes one word for each column: toy, carol, festive food, country, colour. The first to finish shouts “stop”, then score one point per word nobody else wrote.
- Mystery stocking
- Hide an object in a thick stocking (an eraser, a pine cone, a spoon, a key). The player guesses it by touch alone, without peeking, within 20 seconds.
- Kim’s game
- Lay about ten decorations on a tray and let players study them for 30 seconds, then cover the tray and remove one. The first to name the missing item wins the round.
- Santa says
- The host gives orders (“touch your nose”). Only obey if the order starts with “Santa says”; anyone caught out spends a round helping the host.
- Elf hunt
- An adult cuts out ten paper elves and hides them around the house at a child’s eye level. Whoever finds the most chooses the next game.
- Hum that carol
- One player hums a Christmas song with their mouth closed, no words. The first to name it scores a point and hums the next one.
- Dice gift game
- Everyone brings a small wrapped gift and places it in the middle. Players take turns rolling a die: a 6 lets you take a gift, and once the pile is empty, a timed second round lets each 6 steal one from someone else.
- Who’s the leader?
- A detective leaves the room; the others choose a leader whose movements everyone quietly copies. The detective stands in the middle and has three guesses to spot the leader.
Frequently asked questions
What Christmas games can a family play with no equipment?
The yes/no game, charades, who’s the leader, Santa says and hum that carol need nothing at all. Add a sheet of paper and a pen per person and you can also play Christmas categories and draw and guess.
Which Christmas games work for young children?
Under six, choose games where everyone moves and nobody sits out for long: musical statues, elf hunt, mystery stocking, Santa says. Keep rounds short, five minutes at most.
How does the dice gift game work?
Each player brings a small wrapped gift. Players take turns rolling a die, and a 6 lets them take a gift from the pile. Once the pile is empty, a second round of a few minutes begins in which every 6 lets you take a gift from another player. When time is up, you keep what you are holding.
What game can we play at the table during Christmas dinner?
The yes/no game and hum that carol are played seated, need no paper and pause easily between courses. Christmas categories works well over dessert, once pens and paper can come out.