If you're celebrating the holidays at a distance, having some great socially distant holiday games can help things feel normal and make sure everyone has a good time. Don't let the coronavirus spoil your seasonal get-togethers; these ideas will have you laughing and enjoying yourselves like always.
Socially Distanced Games for Family Holiday Celebrations
The holidays are a time of family, and that doesn't change when you're six feet apart. These games are perfect for big groups of all ages.
Reindeer Ball Toss
For this game, you'll need a reindeer ear headband, available on Amazon or at any store during the holiday season. Make sure you choose one that has felt or another semi-fuzzy fabric for the ears. Then pick up some soft and light hook and loop balls, such as Sporttime hook and loop balls, or attach hook and loop dots to holiday colored pom-poms. To play, have one person put on the antlers, and give everyone their own color of ball. The person who gets the most of their color of balls to stick to the antlers is the winner.
Christmas Coloring Contest
Young and old can compete together in a Christmas coloring contest with this easy socially distanced activity. Print out free Christmas coloring sheets ahead of time and set out lots of art supplies. People can take the sheets to separate tables, and those who can't be at the party in person can print out the sheets and play at home. The person with the most beautiful coloring sheet is the winner. Consider having multiple categories for each age group.
Holiday Funny Fashion Contest
Get out the glittery garlands and all the goofy hats and glasses you can find and put them on a big table. Don't forget to include scarves, feather boas, and other fun items. If you're feeling extra creative, you can even encourage people to get crafty and make their own accessories. Then put on some holiday music and take turns walking up to the table to claim fashion statements. Once everything is claimed, everyone gets two minutes to get dressed. At the end of the two minutes, have a fashion show and vote on the best costume.
What's in Santa's Hat?
A version of the popular adult Christmas game, What's in the Stocking?, this is easy to play at a distance. Simply get a Santa hat and ask everyone to bring mystery items. Place the hat on a table and put something inside it. Then people can take turns going up to the table to try to guess what's in the hat without looking. They can write their guesses on a scrap of paper and put it in a box. When everyone has guessed, read the guesses aloud for some laughs. If someone guesses correctly, that person is the winner.
Candle Luminary Scavenger Hunt
You can create a luminary scavenger hunt for any holiday celebration. Simply pick up lots of white or colored paper bags and some battery-operated candles such as Vivii flameless tea lights. Place a tea light in each bag and throw in some holiday treats and prizes. For Halloween, you could use Halloween candy. For Thanksgiving, it might be turkey-themed toys. For Hanukkah or Christmas, it could be candy treats. Hide the luminaries around your house and send everyone outside to hunt for them after dark. The person who finds the most luminary treasures is the winner.
Christmas Bean Bag Toss
Everyone enjoys a good bean bag toss, and a Christmas-themed set is a great way to have some holiday fun without getting too close. You can make a Christmas bean bag toss by making red and green bean bags, or you can buy a bean bag game for about $16. Either way, everyone can take turns throwing the bean bags at a target.
Socially Distant Holiday Games for Friends and Neighbors
Just because you can't be close, doesn't mean you can't have fun. If you're celebrating holidays with friends or neighbors who aren't in your "bubble," these fun games will help you have a great time.
Candy Cane Ring Toss
A ring toss is a great socially distant holiday game for adults and kids. You buy a candy cane ring toss for indoor or outdoor use or make your own. Either way, take turns seeing how many candy canes you can capture with rings. The competition will be just as fun from six feet away.
Holiday Charades
Charades is easy to do at a distance. You just need to remember to speak up so everyone can hear. Brainstorm lots of holiday-related ideas before your party. Here are some to get you started:
- Turkey
- Pilgrim
- Mayflower
- Thanksgiving
- Cranberry sauce
- Wreath
- Hanukkah
- Dreidel
- Snowman
- The Night Before Christmas
- A Christmas Carol
- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Mask Decorating Contest
When you're dealing with a pandemic, masks are a fact of life. However, you can get creative with your PPE! In this game, everyone gets a plain fabric mask in a holiday color. Set out plenty of art supplies and set a time limit too. Everyone gets time to decorate their masks, and the person with the most creative and interesting design is the winner. It's worth noting that you don't want to do anything to compromise the effectiveness of the mask, such as cutting or poking holes in the fabric. Ideally, these will be masks everyone can wear throughout the holiday season.
Christmas Bingo
Christmas bingo is a game that's easy to play six feet apart. Simply print out free Christmas bingo cards and have someone draw items out of a hat. As soon as someone gets a full row, that person is the winner. For bonus points, you can add your own items to the bingo board.
Christmas Quiz Show
Set up your own Christmas quiz show, spacing contestants at least six feet apart. You can use your phone to film it or stream it so people who can't attend in person can enjoy it virtually. Have a special prize, such as a basket of cookies or another holiday treat. You can write your own questions or print free Christmas trivia questions for kids and adults.
Large Scale Pictionary
If you love playing Pictionary, you don't have to let six feet stop you. Pick up a huge easel pad of paper and lots of markers. Make lots of holiday-themed Pictionary clues or use standard fun Pictionary ideas. Then take turns drawing them extra large so everyone can see. You can even do this outdoors if the weather is nice.
Stay Safe and Have a Great Holiday
With some great games, social distancing during the holidays doesn't have to ruin your fun. Review some basic tips for social distancing before your event so everyone can stay safe and have a great holiday at the same time.
