27 Best Christmas Board Games for Families

Every December, I pull out a stack of the best Christmas board games to help us slow down and reconnect, especially during that post-dinner lull or while waiting for cookies to bake.

Some games are just for laughs, others bring out our competitive side, but every one of them has become part of our holiday tradition.

Over the years, we’ve tried dozens of festive board games, some were instant favorites, others… not so much.

So I’ve gathered the ones that truly stand out, from silly party games for Christmas Eve to kid-friendly options that actually hold their attention.

Whether you’re hosting family, entertaining kids, or planning a cozy night in, there’s something here that’s fun, easy to learn, and full of holiday cheer.

Christmas board games for kids featuring Monopoly Elf, Merry Grinchmas, Santa Claus Game, and more fun holiday titles

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Best Christmas-Themed Games

Some of the best board games we’ve played over the years have come out during the quietest, coziest moments, right after dinner, or when the kids start asking, “What now?”

This list includes games for every age and vibe: silly trivia, fast-paced challenges, sweet ones for little kids, and a few that even keep the teens interested.

Whether you’re planning a full-on family game night or just need something fun to play by the tree, these Christmas-themed games have you covered.

TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

This is one of our go-to trivia games when the older kids are around. It’s definitely best for fans of the movie, some of the questions get pretty detailed, but that’s what makes it fun! We like to play it with hot cocoa and the soundtrack in the background. A good fit for teens and up, especially if you’ve watched the movie more than once.

Last Christmas: The Naughty or Nice Holiday Party Game

This one had everyone laughing at our holiday gathering last year. It’s super lighthearted, think silly dares, goofy challenges, and some unexpected surprises. Teens and adults will have the most fun with it. It’s less about strategy and more about just letting loose and being a bit ridiculous.

Christmas Carols & Songs Game

We pulled this out at a family brunch, and it actually surprised me how into it everyone got! Some of the questions are tough, especially the ones about international carols, but it’s a great way to mix music and trivia. Bonus: it gets people singing, even the shy ones. Best with mixed ages who love a little performance.

Tis The Season Christmas Trivia

This one is packed with questions, perfect if your family loves trivia marathons. We usually split into teams, which keeps things moving for younger players too. Some categories are easier than others (we rock the movies, not so much the food), but there’s something for everyone. A great all-rounder trivia game.

Christmas Trivia Game

This is a quicker, more casual version of a trivia game, great for younger kids or as a warm-up to something longer. The cards are easy to read, and it doesn’t take long to play a full round. We sometimes keep this in a basket near the tree for spontaneous game moments.

Santa’s Sleigh Ride

This one’s really sweet for younger kids. It mixes simple movement and matching with Christmas traditions from around the world, so it feels like play but with a tiny bit of learning snuck in. We played it with our cousin’s preschooler, and she stayed engaged the whole time. It’s gentle, low-stress, and easy to set up.

Santa Claus GO FISH

This was a big hit when we had littles visiting, it's the classic Go Fish game with a Christmas twist. The Santa-themed cards are bright and easy to match, which helped the younger ones stay focused. Great for ages 4–6, and a nice option when you want something simple that still feels festive.

The Santa Claus Game

This one feels like a Christmas version of Candy Land with a bit more learning baked in. It’s all about delivering gifts and helping Santa, so younger kids really get into the story. Ours practiced counting and taking turns without even realizing they were learning. It’s sweet, easy to play, and ideal for preschoolers.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Board Game

We played this after watching the movie, and it made the game feel even more special. The visuals are really close to the classic film, and it helps with counting and color recognition too. Younger kids enjoyed the simple mechanics, and older siblings liked helping them figure it out.

Related: Reindeer scavenger hunt clues.

Dr. Seuss: Merry Grinchmas!

If your kids love the Grinch, they’ll get a kick out of this one. It’s a cooperative game, so no tears over who wins, just working together to stop the Grinch. We used it as a calm-down activity before bedtime a few nights leading up to Christmas. Great for teamwork and low-key family bonding.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Game

This is one of those games that gets kids moving, which is gold when they’ve been cooped up. We’ve played it inside and outside, it’s super flexible. The cards are straightforward, and the activities keep kids laughing. Works well for mixed-age groups, especially if you set a timer or make it a team challenge.

You can also play our free Christmas treasure hunt

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Top Trumps Match Game

This game is part memory, part matching, with cute character tiles. It’s a fast-paced game that even adults can enjoy in quick rounds. We usually use it as a transition game, something to play between dinner and dessert, or when we have a short window. The Rudolph theme keeps it extra festive.

Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman

This one's fast-paced and silly in the best way. It’s kind of like a Christmas version of Spot It or Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. We played it with a mixed group (kids, teens, and adults), and everyone got into it, especially the part where you have to slap the card pile at just the right moment. Easy to learn, hard to stop laughing.

Herd Mentality Christmas Booster

We already loved the original Herd Mentality game, so this Christmas expansion was an easy yes. The holiday-themed questions made it feel fresh, and it worked great with both teens and adults. You do need the base game, but if you already own it, this little add-on keeps things lively during family get-togethers.

Unstable Unicorns Christmas Special Expansion Pack

Unstable Unicorns has been a long-time favorite in our house, and this Christmas expansion just adds to the chaos in the best way. It’s full of festive unicorns and holiday sabotage, perfect for teens who like a bit of strategy and a lot of mischief. You’ll need the base game, but if you’re already a fan, this is a fun seasonal twist.

Christmas Rush

This one plays out like a cooperative Christmas mission. It’s great for getting everyone working together instead of just competing. The kids especially liked moving around the themed board, North Pole, reindeer stables, toy factory, and the challenges were simple enough for all ages to join in. It feels festive without being frantic.

Monopoly Elf

We bring this one out every year, usually on Christmas Eve. If you know the movie Elf, the themed properties and cards are hilarious. It still follows the classic Monopoly rules, but the familiar places from the film make it feel fresh. Great for older kids and teens who’ve outgrown simpler games but still love a good theme.

CLUE: How The Grinch Stole Christmas

This was such a fun twist on the original CLUE! The Christmas setting and familiar characters (like Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch) make it feel totally different. Our older kids loved the mystery-solving part, and it’s nice that it keeps everyone thinking without being too competitive. Definitely one we’ll be keeping in the rotation.

Funko Christmas Story

This is a quick, light card game that works well when you don’t have time for a full board game. It’s themed around A Christmas Story, so it’s extra fun if you’ve just watched the movie. We usually play it in between bigger games or while waiting for dinner, easy to pick up, no big learning curve, and always gets a few laughs.

A Christmas Story Card Scramble Board Game

If your family loves A Christmas Story, this is a fun one to add to game night. The gameplay is simple enough for older kids, and the challenges and cards are all themed from the movie. Ours liked collecting their favorite moments (like the leg lamp, of course). Not too long, so it works well for post-dinner play.

Christmas Charades Board Game

This has been a party favorite for us, especially with mixed ages. The prompts are easy to act out, and we’ve played with groups ranging from 6-year-olds to grandparents. It’s chaotic in the best way and always ends in laughter. We usually play a few rounds after dessert or while waiting for midnight on Christmas Eve.

Buddy The Elf Game

This one's packed with themed trivia and silly challenges based on the Elf movie. Teens and adults who know the film get the most out of it, but even the younger ones have fun with the challenges. We played it with family over Zoom one year, and it actually worked great virtually too!

Ticket to Ride Nordic Countries Board Game

Not strictly a Christmas game, but the snowy setting and cozy vibes make it a perfect winter pick. It’s one of our favorite strategy games, especially when we want something that lasts a little longer. Best for older kids and adults who like route-building and don’t mind a bit of competition.

12 Games of Christmas

This set is a lifesaver for parties or when you need lots of options. We used it during a family gathering where ages ranged from toddlers to grandparents, and there was something for everyone, charades, trivia, Pictionary-style games, all with a holiday twist. Great for variety without having to learn a bunch of new rulebooks.

Merry Dissmas

We pulled this out during an adults-only game night, and it was hilarious. It’s full of snarky, Christmas-themed “diss” cards, so definitely not one for younger kids, but teens and grown-ups with a good sense of humor will love it. Think What Do You Meme? with a holiday twist. Not family-friendly, but very fun.

12 Days of Christmas

This card game is quick to set up and great for smaller groups. Each player tries to collect sets based on the classic carol, and it’s simple enough for kids but still strategic enough to hold adults’ attention. We like playing it as a countdown activity, one round a day leading up to Christmas.

Santa’s Tongue Twisters Card Game

This one is pure silliness and works best when the kids need to burn off a little energy. The tongue twisters are festive and just tricky enough to make everyone giggle. We’ve used it as a warm-up for game night or just a fun 10-minute activity before bedtime. Easy to learn, easy to laugh at.

Last Updated on 25 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Best Christmas-Themed Games

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