Christmas Charades Ideas: 60 Words for Kids and Adults

Christmas charades is the easiest party game there is: no supplies, no setup, and everyone from kids to grandparents can play. Below are 60 Christmas charades ideas sorted for kids and grown-ups, plus the rules and hand signals that make it run smoothly.

Skip the prep: Christmas Minute to Win It + Charades is an instant download for $3.99.

How to play Christmas charades

1. Split into teams. Two teams is classic; big groups can use up to four.
2. Draw a card without showing anyone.
3. Act it out with no talking and no pointing at objects in the room. Use a 60-second timer.
4. Teammates shout guesses. A correct guess scores 1 point. If time runs out, the other team gets one guess to steal.
5. Rotate actors so everyone gets a turn. Play to 10 points.

Charades hand signals

• Number of words: hold up that many fingers.
• Which word: hold up fingers again for the word you're acting.
• Small word (a, the, of): hold your thumb and finger close together.
• Sounds like: cup a hand behind your ear.
• Song title: pretend to sing into a microphone.
• Close, keep going: tap your nose and point at the guesser.

Easy Christmas charades ideas for kids

Christmas activities

• Building a snowman
• Decorating the tree
• Opening presents
• Hanging a stocking
• Making a snow angel
• Baking cookies
• Writing a letter to Santa
• Ice skating

Characters

• Santa Claus
• Reindeer
• Elf
• Snowman
• Gingerbread man
• Penguin
• Polar bear
• Toy soldier
• Mrs. Claus

Things

• Candy cane
• Christmas tree
• Jingle bells
• Present
• Snowflake
• Hot chocolate
• Mittens
• Sleigh
• Christmas cookie

Winter fun

• Skiing
• Throwing a snowball
• Catching snowflakes on your tongue
• Slipping on ice
• Shivering in the cold
• Building a snow fort

Harder Christmas charades ideas for grown-ups

Christmas activities

• Untangling Christmas lights
• Wrapping an oddly shaped gift
• Shoveling the driveway
• Building a toy with no instructions
• Waiting in a long checkout line
• Hiding gifts in the closet
• Pulling on a tight ugly sweater

Characters

• Ebenezer Scrooge
• Ghost of Christmas Past
• Jack Frost
• Sugar Plum Fairy
• Mall Santa on his lunch break
• Tired parent on Christmas Eve

Things

• Fruitcake nobody eats
• Advent calendar
• Inflatable lawn decoration
• Mistletoe
• Eggnog
• Tangled extension cord
• Snow globe being shaken

Songs and traditions

• "Silent Night"
• "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
• "Deck the Halls"
• The Nutcracker ballet
• Secret Santa gift exchange
• White elephant gift steal
• Ugly sweater contest
• New Year's Eve countdown

Tips for a great round of charades

• Color-code your cards by category so the actor can point to the category first.
• Keep kids and grown-up cards separate so everyone gets words they can act.
• Use charades between active games like Christmas Minute to Win It while you reset supplies.
• Finish with the Saran Wrap Ball Game for a big ending.

Planning the whole night? Our guide to Christmas party games has plans for family, office and classroom parties.

Printable Christmas charades cards

Our Christmas Minute to Win It + Charades Party Kit includes 100 printable charades cards in five color-coded categories, 50 labeled for kids and 50 for grown-ups, in large type you can read across a room. A How to Play page with these hand signals is included, plus 24 Minute to Win It games and the Saran Wrap Ball Game, for $3.99.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Christmas charades?

One player acts out a Christmas word or phrase without talking while their team guesses within 60 seconds. Teams take turns, and each correct guess scores a point.

What are good Christmas charades for kids?

Simple actions and characters work best: building a snowman, opening presents, Santa Claus, a reindeer or a penguin.

What are funny Christmas charades for adults?

Relatable holiday moments get the biggest laughs: untangling Christmas lights, a mall Santa on his lunch break, or a white elephant gift steal.