Are you throwing a Christmas party for teenagers and looking for some fun Christmas games to play during the party? If you're like me, a mom of two enthusiastic party-loving teens, you know the challenge of keeping everything fresh and exciting, not what they'd dub "mid."
Over the years, I've gathered a collection of go-to activities that keep the energy high and the eye-rolls low.
This post is designed to help you navigate the holiday party scene for your teens with ease and confidence. Drawing from experience, I'll share a collection of games that have been tested and approved by my own family. These aren't just any games—they are the ones that have brought laughter and cheer to our holiday gatherings, ensuring a fun-filled atmosphere.
You'll learn about innovative game ideas that integrate technology, creativity, and just the right amount of competitive spirit to keep everyone engaged. By the end of this post, you'll be equipped with a toolkit of teen-approved Christmas party games that promise to spread the holiday cheer and make your party a memorable hit. Let's dive into some fun and festive activities that will keep your teens entertained this holiday season!
Easy Christmas Party Games for Teens
Organizing a Christmas party for teens doesn't have to be stressful. With these easy, teen-approved games, you're sure to keep the holiday spirit lively and fun for everyone!
Christmas Charades (using Christmas movies, songs, and carol themes)
How to Play: Just like regular charades, but all the prompts are Christmas-themed. Write down names of popular Christmas movies, songs, or carols on slips of paper. Players take turns drawing a slip and acting out the prompt without speaking, while the rest of the team guesses.
What You'll Need:
- Slips of paper
- Pen or marker
- A bowl or hat to hold the slips
- A timer (optional)
Charades is a classic game that brings a lot of laughs, making it a great way to light up the room with Christmas cheer.
What's in Your Phone?
How to Play: This game is perfect for a tech-savvy group. Create a list of items they might have on their phones, like a selfie with a Santa hat, a Christmas playlist, or a photo of a Christmas tree. Guests score points for each item they have.
What You'll Need:
- A list of Christmas-related items
- Pens and scorecards
It's a simple game that requires little preparation but guarantees a good time as everyone digs through their phones to win points.
Two Truths and a Lie - Christmas Edition
How to Play: Each player thinks of two true stories and one false story about their past Christmas experiences. The other players have to guess which story is the lie. This version adds a fun Christmas twist, involving Santa stories or winter adventures.
What You'll Need:
- Just your creativity!
This game is a fantastic icebreaker and gets everyone chatting and laughing about their holiday misadventures or magical moments.
These games are not only easy to set up with minimal materials needed but are also a surefire way to keep your teen guests engaged. From guessing games to creative challenges, these activities are a great addition to any teen Christmas party, ensuring everyone has a festive and fun time!
Creative and Crafty Games for a Teen Christmas Party
Crafts and creativity can turn any teen Christmas party from fun to fabulous. Here are some crafty game ideas that everyone can enjoy.
DIY Christmas Crafts Station
How to Play: Set up a station where teens can make their own Christmas ornaments or custom t-shirts. Provide all the materials they need and let their creativity flow. They can take these home as party favors.
What You'll Need:
- Plain ornaments or t-shirts
- Fabric markers, paints, and brushes
- Glitter, stickers, and ribbons
- Tables and protective coverings for the crafting area
Crafting not only sparks creativity but also gives everyone a little something special to remember the party by. Plus, it's a great way for guests to mingle.
Gingerbread House Contest - Teen Style
How to Play: Give each guest or team a gingerbread house kit and let them go wild with decorations. The more outrageous, the better. Set a time limit to raise the stakes.
What You'll Need:
- Gingerbread house kits
- Extra decorating supplies like candy canes, mini marshmallows, and colored icing
- Judging criteria and a small prize for the winner
This contest is perfect for bringing out the competitive spirit in a fun and tasty way. It's a highlight of the party!
Candy Cane Game
How to Play: This simple game involves catching as many candy canes as possible using a large candy cane as a hook. Each player hooks other candy canes from a table or off a tree without using their hands.
What You'll Need:
- Large candy canes (one per player)
- Smaller candy canes
- A stopwatch or timer (you can use your phone)
It's quick to set up, fun to play, and perfect for getting everyone in the holiday spirit.
These games not only fill the room with holiday cheer but also help teens interact in a light-hearted, festive environment. Whether crafting or competing, there's a game here for every type of teen at your Christmas party.
Active and Engaging Games for Teen Christmas Parties
Keeping a large group of teens engaged at a Christmas party calls for some active and fun games. Here are a few games that are sure to keep the energy high and bring loads of laughter.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Set up a scavenger hunt with clues or riddles related to Christmas themes around your home or yard. Give each team a list of clues and see who can solve them the fastest to find hidden objects or locations.
What You'll Need:
- Printable clues or riddles (you can find free printables online)
- Small prizes for the winning team
- Optional: cameras or phones for taking pictures as proof of finding items
This game is perfect for making everyone move around and work together, boosting the holiday spirit!
Holiday Relay Races
How to Play: Organize relay races that incorporate festive items like Santa hats or pretzel rods. You might have races where teens balance a candy cane on a spoon or wear a Santa hat that they pass to teammates.
What You'll Need:
- Santa hats
- Pretzel rods or other Christmas items
- Spoons for balancing
- A designated race area
Relay races are a great way to get teens laughing and competing in a friendly way.
Christmas Murder Mystery Game - Murder in a Box
How to Play: This is a super fun game and can serve as the theme for the entire party. This game involves solving a mystery during the party. Each guest receives a character role ahead of time, and throughout the evening, they gather clues to figure out who the 'murderer' is among them.
What You'll Need:
- A murder mystery kit (available for purchase online)
- Character cards and scripts for each player
A murder mystery is an exciting way to engage older teens with a bit of drama and detective work.
Saran Wrap Game
How to Play: Wrap small prizes and treats in a large ball of Saran Wrap. Teens take turns unwrapping the ball to reveal prizes until the entire ball is unwound.
What You'll Need:
- Saran wrap
- Small gifts, candy, or novelty items
- Dice (to take turns)
This game is a hit because each layer unwrapped brings a small reward and anticipation builds with each round.
Christmas Pictionary
How to Play: Like traditional Pictionary but with a Christmas twist. Players draw holiday-themed prompts for their team to guess.
What You'll Need:
- Whiteboard and markers or paper and pens
- List of Christmas-related words or phrases
Christmas Pictionary is a laugh-filled game that tests drawing skills and quick thinking.
Secret Santa or White Elephant Gift Exchange
How to Play: In Secret Santa, each person buys a gift for someone else in secret. In White Elephant, each person brings a wrapped gift and players take turns choosing from the pile or stealing from others.
What You'll Need:
- Gifts within a set budget
- Rules for the exchange process
Gift exchanges are a classic holiday game that adds excitement and mystery to your party.
Reindeer Toss
How to Play: Set up antler-shaped targets and give each player rings to toss onto the antlers.
What You'll Need:
- DIY or store-bought reindeer antlers
- Rings or hoops
The Reindeer Toss is simple to set up and provides a festive challenge for guests.
These games will ensure your teen Christmas party is full of activity and merriment, making it a memorable event for all attendees.
Team Games for a Teen Christmas Party
Team games are perfect for a teen Christmas party, especially when you can mix in some of today's hottest trends like TikTok. Here are some great options that will keep your tech-savvy teens engaged and entertained.
TikTok Dance Challenge - Christmas Edition
How to Play: Challenge your teen guests to create dance routines based on popular Christmas songs. They can work in teams to choreograph their own dances and then perform them for the group, or even record them to share on TikTok.
What You'll Need:
- A list of popular Christmas songs accessible via a music streaming app
- A designated space for performances
- A smartphone or camera for recording
This game taps into the creativity and current trends that teens love, making it a hit at any holiday party.
Smartphone Scavenger Hunt
How to Play: Use smartphone apps to create a scavenger hunt where teams have to find objects, solve riddles, or complete challenges. You can use GPS features, QR codes, or social media posts as part of the hunt.
What You'll Need:
- A list of items or tasks to find or complete
- Smartphones with access to necessary apps
- Prizes for the winning team
Smartphone scavenger hunts are a great way to get teens moving around and interacting with each other in a fun and modern way.
Name That Christmas Carol
How to Play: Play a short snippet of a Christmas carol and have teams guess the song title. Choose some well-known songs and some that are less familiar to make the game more challenging.
What You'll Need:
- A playlist of Christmas carols
- A music player or smartphone
- Scorecards to keep track of points
This game tests their knowledge of Christmas music in a fun and competitive setting.
Christmas Movie Trivia
How to Play: Test your guests' knowledge of classic and popular Christmas movies with a trivia game. Ask questions about movie plots, characters, and famous lines.
What You'll Need:
- A list of trivia questions based on Christmas movies
- Buzzer or bell for each team to answer questions
- Prizes for the winning team
Christmas movie trivia is a fantastic way to bring everyone together for some good-natured competition and festive fun.
These games not only cater to the interests and tech-savvy nature of today's teens but also promote teamwork and holiday spirit in an engaging way. Whether they are dancing, hunting for clues, or showing off their movie knowledge, there's plenty of fun to be had at your teen's Christmas party.
Family-Friendly Christmas Games Everyone Can Enjoy
Ensuring that everyone from the youngest kids to grandparents can join in the fun at your Christmas party is key to a memorable family gathering. Here are five Christmas games that are perfect for all ages.
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
How to Play: A festive twist on the classic 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey'. Blindfolded players try to pin a red nose on Rudolph, rather than a tail on a donkey.
What You'll Need:
- A large poster of Rudolph
- Red paper circles with adhesive on the back
- A blindfold
This game is gentle enough for younger children but still fun for the adults who want to join in.
Candy Cane Mouth
How to Play: This game challenges players to hold as many candy canes in their mouth as they can, handle end in the mouth, without using their hands.
What You'll Need:
- Candy canes
- A timer (optional)
This game is sure to cause giggles and is perfect for lighthearted, casual fun.
Candy Cane Hunt
How to Play: Hide candy canes throughout your party area and have a hunt similar to an Easter egg hunt. It's simple and sweet, literally!
What You'll Need:
- Candy canes
- Areas to hide them around your home or yard
This hunt is fantastic for getting all age groups moving and excited, plus everyone gets a little treat!
Christmas Carol Pictionary
How to Play: Draw clues related to popular Christmas carols and have your team guess the song. This adds a musical twist to the drawing game and challenges the memory of your party-goers.
What You'll Need:
- Whiteboard or large pad of paper
- Markers
- List of Christmas carols
This game is enjoyable for those who love music and adds a festive soundtrack to the background of your party.
These games are not only fun but also easy to set up, ensuring that your Christmas party is a hit across generations
Engaging Church Christmas Party Games for All Ages
Hosting a church Christmas party can be a great opportunity to bring the community together in a fun and festive setting. Here are some engaging games that can be played by all age groups, ensuring a joyful and spirited gathering.
Christmas Bingo
How to Play: Classic bingo with a holiday twist! Use cards that feature Christmas-themed images or words instead of numbers. As the caller reads out the items, players mark them on their cards. The first to complete a line wins.
What You'll Need:
- Printable Christmas-themed bingo cards
- Markers or small candies to cover the spaces
- A list of Christmas items or images to call out
Christmas Bingo is simple and a great way to get everyone involved, from young children to grandparents.
White Elephant Gift Exchange
How to Play: A fun and often hilarious gift exchange game. Each participant brings a wrapped, inexpensive or humorous gift. Players take turns choosing a gift from the pile or stealing a previously opened gift from another player.
What You'll Need:
- One wrapped gift per participant
- Rules for the exchange (determine order of play and rules for stealing gifts)
This game adds an element of surprise and excitement to your party, as players unwrap and swap gifts.
Christmas Story Game
How to Play: This game involves creating a spontaneous Christmas story. Start with a basic story prompt and go around the room, allowing each person to add a sentence to the story.
What You'll Need:
- A story starter to kick things off
- A recording device if you want to keep the story for posterity
It’s a creative and engaging way to foster a fun group interaction and laughter.
Christmas Memory Game
How to Play: Set up a tray with various Christmas items (like ornaments, tinsel, a Santa hat, etc.), and show it to everyone for a minute. Then cover it up, and see who can remember the most items.
What You'll Need:
- A tray
- Assorted Christmas items
- Paper and pen for players to list items
Memory games are excellent for cognitive exercise and are enjoyable for players of all ages.
These games are not only enjoyable but also help in building a sense of community and shared joy, making your church Christmas party a memorable and festive occasion for everyone involved.
Fun and Affordable Christmas Game Prizes for Teenagers
When it comes to choosing prizes for your teen's Christmas party games, think about items that are both exciting and budget-friendly. Here are some great ideas that teens are sure to love:
- Gift Cards: Small denomination gift cards (around $5-$10) to popular spots like Starbucks or local ice cream shops make perfect prizes. They give teens the freedom to choose what they want and are always a hit.
- Tech Accessories: Items like phone cases, pop sockets, or phone charging block (my kids are somehow always losing them) are practical and trendy options that teens will appreciate. These are especially relevant for games involving technology or social media challenges.
- Creative and Crafty Items: Dollar Stores arts and crafts supplies such as gel pens, DIY kits, or other fun items encourage creativity and can be a lot of fun.
- Funny and Unique Items: Consider quirky gifts like light-up spinning tops, fidget rings, or humorous socks. These can add a fun twist to the prize table and are perfect for bringing smiles.
- Snack Packs: Teens love snacks! Putting together a snack pack with their favorite treats like candy bars, chips, or even a box of their preferred soda can be a great prize that they can enjoy right away.
Wrapping Up Your Teen Christmas Party
Ending your Christmas party on a high note is key to making it a memorable event for everyone involved. Here’s how to close out the evening with warmth and festive cheer.
Movie Time
How to End the Party: One perfect way to wind down after the games and activities is by setting up a cozy movie viewing. Choose a couple of favorite holiday films that appeal to teens and families alike. Add some comfy seating, dim the lights, and let everyone relax and enjoy.
What You'll Need:
- A selection of holiday movies
- A projector or large TV
- Blankets and pillows for comfortable seating
- Hot chocolate and a variety of snacks like popcorn or homemade cookies
This movie time not only gives everyone a chance to settle down after all the fun but also brings everyone together to enjoy the spirit of the season.
Creating Lasting Memories
Tips for a Memorable Close:
- Take group photos with everyone in their holiday outfits or props from the games.
- Have a small closing ceremony where you hand out any remaining prizes or awards for game winners.
- Play some gentle Christmas music as background to maintain the festive atmosphere as people start to leave.
Conclusion
We've explored a variety of fun and engaging games that are perfect for any teen Christmas party. From high-energy team games to creative craft stations and cozy movie time, these suggestions are designed to capture the diverse interests of teenagers today. Each game offers flexibility, allowing you to tweak them to match the unique theme of your party or the preferences of your teen guests.
I hope these ideas inspire you to throw a festive and memorable Christmas party filled with laughter and joy. May your celebration be a wonderful time for everyone involved!
Call to Action
Do you have favorite Christmas party games that your teens love? Or maybe some heartwarming or funny stories from your holiday celebrations? I’d love to hear about them! Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below to help inspire other readers. Your contributions can help make someone else’s holiday party a smashing success!
