These 15 free printable Christmas games cover acting, drawing, guessing, storytelling and quiet pencil games. Download the complete pack without an email sign-up, then print only the pages you need. Each game has its own instructions, and the final page includes preparation notes and the gift logic puzzle answer.
Pick games that suit your gathering
For a lively family party, I would start with charades, follow with Match the Majority and finish with the parcel pass. Stars and Snowballs or the logic puzzle work better when two people want a quieter activity. An adult can read prompts for children who are still learning to read; choose games by reading ability and attention span rather than age alone.
The pages use white backgrounds, dark text and small green and red accents to keep the instructions clear without filling the sheet with ink. The previews below show the actual game pages, in the same order as the PDF.
Explore the 15 Christmas games
1. Christmas Charades
Start with charades when guests need a reason to mingle. These 12 cut-apart prompts use actions such as wrapping a present and untangling lights. Split four or more players into teams and allow 30 seconds per turn. Younger children can act with a partner.
2. Draw and Guess
Give the drawing game its own table, a stack of scrap paper and a thick pencil. The 12 prompts name objects rather than actions, so players must communicate through shapes. For a mixed-age team, let the youngest artist choose between two cards.
3. Category Sprint
Category Sprint rewards an unexpected answer rather than the fastest handwriting. Every response must start with S, but the eight categories cover food, gifts, sounds and more. Give each player a copy and count only valid answers that nobody else chose.
4. Indoor Christmas Hunt
An indoor hunt gives children a short movement break. The checklist asks them to spot textures, shapes and festive details instead of collecting small objects. Walk through the room first and cross out any unavailable item so every remaining task can be completed.
5. Would You Rather
Use these eight either-or choices while everyone is seated. Read a pair, take a show of hands and invite a brief explanation from each side. This is the quietest option for a group that enjoys conversation without keeping score.
6. Left and Right Parcel Pass
A single wrapped prize is enough for this passing game. Seat at least four players in a circle and ask a host to read the included story slowly. Pass once for every LEFT or RIGHT cue, including dialogue; the last holder keeps the prize.
7. Match the Majority
Match the Majority asks guests to predict this group, so it needs no survey answers or trivia knowledge. Everyone writes privately, then reveals one response at a time. If two answers tie for the largest group, both groups earn a point.
8. Mystery Stocking
Prepare six numbered opaque bags with one familiar object in each, such as a spoon, mitten or ribbon spool. Guests feel through the outside and record their guesses. Avoid sharp, fragile or tiny items, and keep the contents hidden until everyone finishes.
9. Festive Memory Pairs
The memory sheet contains exactly six matching word pairs. Print it on opaque card, or attach identical plain backing before cutting, so the words cannot show through. Keep matches and take another turn; when the cards are gone, count each player’s pairs.
10. Stars and Snowballs
Stars and Snowballs is a pencil-only version of tic-tac-toe with three boards on one page. Draw stars and circles directly in the squares, and alternate the starting player. Keep it at the children’s table for a game that needs no cutting or loose counters.
11. Roll and Decorate
Roll and Decorate turns a coloring page into a chance game. Each player needs a tree, crayons and access to one die. The roll key covers nine ornaments, a star, a trunk and three branch areas; an already completed result means the turn passes.
12. Christmas Dots and Boxes
Dots and Boxes suits two players who prefer a little strategy. This seven-by-seven dot grid makes 36 boxes. Complete a box to claim it and take another turn; use different pencil colors so the final score is easy to check.
13. Secret Gift Grid
Secret Gift Grid is a coordinate guessing game. Each player hides three two-square gifts on the left grid and tracks guesses on the right. Set an upright folder between the sheets. Announce hits, misses and completed gifts; the first to uncover all six opposing squares wins.
14. Christmas Story Dice
Story Dice works well when the group would rather create something together. Three rolls select a character, a setting and a surprise from separate columns. Build a story one sentence at a time, with no winner and no need to write the whole tale down.
15. Who Brought the Gift
Finish with a short deduction puzzle instead of another speed round. Four clues identify which gift each guest brought. The grid gives space to mark impossible matches; the host page supplies the single checked solution so it can be kept out of sight.
Print and prepare your game pages
The PDF contains 16 portrait pages on US Letter paper, 8.5 × 11 inches. Pages 1–15 are the games; page 16 is for the host. Print single-sided at Actual size or 100% on Letter paper. For A4, 210 × 297 mm, choose Fit and check the preview. Adobe explains the difference in its PDF print scaling guide.
Ordinary printer paper suits the answer sheets. Use opaque cardstock or identical plain backing for the memory cards, and have an adult cut the card pages for young children. The pack also prints in grayscale. Depending on the games you select, gather pencils, spare paper, crayons, scissors, a timer, one die, six opaque bags, a wrapped prize and a folder to screen the secret grids.
Add another activity if you need one
For a longer puzzle session, try the Christmas crossword and word puzzle pack. If you are setting up a craft corner alongside the games, the Christmas tree and ornament templates provide separate shapes to cut and decorate.
Download the free Christmas games PDF
16 pages · US Letter · approximately 27 KB. Free for personal use, your own classroom and small non-commercial gatherings. Please share this article link rather than redistributing the file. See the terms of use for details.
Looking for more pencil games? Grab these free printable crossword puzzles: 12 crosswords, easy to hard.
More free Christmas printables
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- Free printable Christmas cards: 8 fold-in-half designs
- Free printable Christmas wish list: 6 list templates for kids and adults
- Gingerbread house template: a printable paper house
- Elf arrival letter: a fun start to December
