Free Printable Scattergories Lists for Holidays & Educational Fun

These printable Scattergories lists are one of our favorite low-prep ways to mix learning and laughter, whether it’s during the holidays, family game night, or a quiet afternoon.

From Christmas to Earth Day, these free themed boards are perfect for classrooms, family gatherings, or rainy-day fun.

Whether you’re playing at home or with a group, each holiday Scattergories sheet includes custom categories and letters that work without the official game.

Just grab a pen, pick a board, and let the creativity (and competition) begin.

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Holiday Scattergories Printables

You don’t need the official board game to enjoy this fast-paced word challenge, just a pen, a timer, and one of these free Scattergories lists printables.

Each version is themed for a specific holiday or season, with kid-friendly categories and festive designs. They’re great for classroom brain breaks, family game nights, or low-prep party fun.

How to Get Your Scattergories Cards

1. Scroll through the holiday and educational options below and click on the one you want.
2. On that post, scroll to the bottom of the page.
3. Enter your email in the form provided.
4. The PDF will be sent straight to your inbox, ready to print and play.

All printables are full-page PDFs designed for elementary-age kids but fun for all ages.

Special Occasion Games

• Birthday Scattergories – Add a creative twist to party games with quick-thinking wordplay. Perfect for guests of all ages.
• Valentine’s Day Scattergories – A fun way to celebrate love and friendship, great for classrooms or intimate gatherings.
• Super Bowl Scattergories – A competitive game to liven up your football party, perfect for halftime entertainment.
• St Patrick’s Day Scattergories – A festive way to explore Irish culture and folklore in an engaging, educational way.

Spring Word Games

• Spring Scattergories – Challenge players with everything spring-related, from blooming flowers to seasonal traditions.
• Earth Day Scattergories – A fun, lighthearted way to encourage discussions about conservation and environmental awareness.
• Easter Scattergories – Add an educational touch to Easter celebrations with themed word challenges.

Summer Fun

• Cinco de Mayo Scattergories – A colorful way to celebrate Mexican culture in classrooms or at festive gatherings.
• Mother’s Day Scattergories – Honor mothers with a thoughtful family-friendly game.
• Summer Scattergories – Perfect for indoor fun during hot summer days, whether at home, camp, or a barbecue.
• Father’s Day Scattergories – A great way to celebrate Dad with family game night.
• Back to school Scattergories – A fun brain-boosting activity for students returning to school or homeschool.

Fall & Holiday Activities

• Fall Scattergories – Capture the essence of autumn with categories inspired by harvest festivals, seasonal foods, and cozy traditions.
• Halloween Scattergories – A spooky twist on the classic game, perfect for parties or classroom fun.
• Thanksgiving Scattergories – Encourage gratitude and storytelling while exploring Thanksgiving traditions.

Winter Word Challenges

• Winter Scattergories – Celebrate the season with categories related to snow, holidays, and winter sports.
• Christmas Scattergories – Bring holiday cheer to family gatherings, classroom activities, or parties.
• New Year’s Scattergories – Reflect on the past year and make predictions for the new one in a fun and interactive way.

Educational Word Lists

If you’re looking for something beyond holiday themes, these printable games focus on learning while still keeping it fun:

• Geography Scattergories – Boost memory and global awareness by thinking creatively about geography terms.
• Science Scattergories – A fun way to integrate word games into your homeschool science curriculum.

How to Play (No Game Box Needed)

You don’t need the official board game set to play, just print one of the themed printable Scattergories lists, grab a pen, and set a timer. Here’s how to play using the freebies:

What You Need:

• A pen or pencil for each player
• A timer (phone, watch, or kitchen timer works)
• Any of the printable lists from above

Game Setup:

1. Gather everyone around a table or comfy spot
2. Hand out a game sheet and something to write with
3. Decide how many rounds you’ll play (3 is typical)
4. Pick a starting letter and set the timer (2–3 minutes per round)

How it Works:

• Players write one word per category that starts with the chosen letter
• When time’s up, compare answers, duplicates get crossed out
• Each unique answer earns 1 point
• Repeat with new letters for each round

Winning the Game:

• Repeat for the remaining rounds, selecting a new letter each time.
• Tally up the points after all rounds. The player with the most unique answers wins.

Optional Twist:

Add house rules like themed bonus rounds, points for alliteration, or a no-repeats rule across rounds for extra challenge.

More Free Printable Games

Looking for even more ways to add fun to your holiday parties, classroom activities, or family game nights? These low-prep games are easy to set up and always a hit:

• Word scramble printables – Challenge players to unscramble themed words in a race against the clock.
• Word search worksheets – A fun, brain-boosting activity for all ages, perfect for seasonal or educational themes.
• Scavenger hunt printable ideas – Turn any event into an exciting adventure with themed scavenger hunts.
• Free printable memory games – Improve focus and concentration with printable memory games for kids and adults.
• Free printable bingo cards – A classic game with themed variations for holidays, parties, or educational fun.

These games are great for reinforcing learning, breaking the ice at gatherings, or just having fun with family and friends. Click on each link to grab your free printables and start playing today!

Last Updated on 1 July 2025 by Clare Brown