Christmas is a time for joy, laughter, and being together. Games make holiday gatherings even more fun.
That is why Christmas Minute to Win It games are so popular at parties and family events. These games are short, simple, and full of excitement.
Anyone can play them, from kids to adults. Most games need only easy supplies you already have at home.
Each challenge lasts just one minute, but the laughter lasts much longer. They are perfect for classrooms, homes, or holiday parties.
Get ready to move, laugh, and enjoy some cheerful Christmas fun together.
Use these links to jump ahead:
- 29 Christmas Minute To Win It Games
- Candy Cane Hook
- Snowball Shake
- Jingle Bell Toss
- Reindeer Nose Dive
- Unwrap It Fast
- Marshmallow Stack
- Candy Cane Relay
- Ornament Roll
- Rudolph Relay
- Christmas Cookie Face-Off
- Jingle In The Trunk
- Wrap It Like Itโs Hot
- Gift Stack Attack
- Spoonful of Snow
- Stocking Stuffer Shake-Up
- Snowman Slam
- Balloon Antlers
- Nutcracker Knockdown
- Santa Pants Shuffle
- Peppermint Stack
- Silent Night Charades
- Snowball Spoon Race
- Candy Cane Pick Up
- Melt The Snowman
- Christmas Card Tower
- Gingerbread Toss
- Elf Hat Ring Toss
- Present Balance Walk
- The Snowman Game
- Great For All Ages!
- Conclusion
- Engage With Us
29 Christmas Minute To Win It Games
Below is a fun and exciting list of Christmas games that are quick to play and easy to understand.
Each game is designed to be finished in one minute. You will find games that test balance, speed, and focus.
These activities are great for groups of all sizes. Pick a few or try them all for nonstop holiday laughter and fun.
Candy Cane Hook
Use a candy cane to hook and lift as many other candy canes as possible in 60 seconds – no hands allowed!
20k+ bought in past month
This game looks simple, but it gets tricky fast. One candy cane goes in the playerโs mouth.
The goal is to pick up other candy canes from a bowl or table. Hands are not allowed at all. Only the candy cane can be used to hook the others.
Players must stay focused and steady. Every successful hook counts. The person who lifts the most candy canes in one minute wins. Lots of laughs are guaranteed.
Snowball Shake
Fill an empty tissue box with ping pong balls and tie it around the playerโs waist. Shake, jump, and dance to get them out!
Things get silly very quickly in this game. A small empty tissue box is filled with ping pong balls.
The box is tied around the playerโs waist with a string or belt. When the timer starts, the player must move nonstop.
Shaking, jumping, and dancing are all allowed. Hands cannot help. The goal is to get every โsnowballโ out before time runs out. The crowd will laugh the whole time.
Jingle Bell Toss
Toss small jingle bells into plastic cups across a table. Most bells in the cup wins!
100+ bought in past month
Here is a fun game that tests aim and patience. Plastic cups are placed on a table or floor.
Each player gets a set of small jingle bells. Standing behind a line, players toss the bells one by one. Bells must land inside the cups to count.
Some may bounce out, so focus matters. When the minute ends, the player with the most bells in the cups is the winner.
Reindeer Nose Dive
Dip your nose in Vaseline, then try to pick up red pom-poms without using your hands – just your sticky nose!
1k+ bought in past month
This game is messy and very funny. A small amount of Vaseline is placed on the playerโs nose. Red pom-poms are spread out on a table.
No hands are allowed at any time. Players must lean down and use only their noses to pick them up. Each pom-pom must be moved to a bowl or plate.
The clock keeps ticking fast. The player who collects the most pom-poms in one minute wins.
Unwrap It Fast
Wrap a small gift box in multiple layers of wrapping paper. Players must unwrap all layers with oven mitts on.
1k+ bought in past month
Excitement builds as soon as this game begins. A small box is wrapped in many layers of paper. Each player wears thick oven mitts on both hands.
When the timer starts, they must rip and tear the paper away. Fingers cannot be used at all. The layers make it harder each second.
The first person to fully unwrap the gift before time runs out is the winner.
Marshmallow Stack
Stack as many mini marshmallows as you can using chopsticks. Tallest tower wins.
100+ bought in past month
This challenge needs a calm hand and sharp focus. Mini marshmallows are placed in a bowl.
Each player gets a pair of chopsticks. Using only the chopsticks, the marshmallows must be stacked one on top of another.
No hands may touch the stack. The tower must stand on its own. When time is up, the tallest standing marshmallow tower wins the game.
Candy Cane Relay
Transfer candy canes from one bowl to another using only your mouth. No hands, just a dangling candy cane!
9k+ bought in past month
This fast game brings energy to the room. Two bowls are placed a short distance apart.
One bowl starts filled with candy canes. A player holds one candy cane in their mouth. That candy cane is used to pick up and move the others.
Hands must stay behind the back the whole time. Candy canes are dropped into the empty bowl. The goal is to move as many as possible in one minute.
Ornament Roll
Roll ornaments across the floor to land in a designated tape circle. No bouncing allowed!
Careful moves matter most in this challenge. Plastic ornaments are placed at the starting line. A tape circle is marked on the floor a few feet away.
Players must gently roll the ornaments forward. Throwing or bouncing is not allowed. The ornament must stay on the ground the entire time.
Each ornament that stops inside the circle counts as a point. The player with the most ornaments in the circle wins.
Rudolph Relay
Hold a red balloon between your knees and hop from one side of the room to the other. First across wins.
900+ bought in past month
Laughter starts as soon as this game begins. A red balloon is placed between the playerโs knees. The balloon must stay there at all times.
Players hop from one end of the room to the other. Hands cannot touch the balloon. If it drops, the player must stop and fix it.
Balance and speed both matter. The first person to reach the finish line without losing the balloon wins.
Christmas Cookie Face-Off
Place a cookie on your forehead and try to move it to your mouth using only facial movements.
2k+ bought in past month
Everyone loves watching this one. A cookie is placed flat on the playerโs forehead.
When the timer starts, the player tilts, wiggles, and moves their face to guide the cookie down. Hands must stay away the whole time.
The cookie cannot fall on the floor. If it does, the player must start again.
The goal is to get the cookie into the mouth before time runs out. Funny faces make this game extra fun.
Jingle In The Trunk
Tape a tissue box filled with bells to a belt or waistband. Shake until all bells are out.
50+ bought in past month
This game is loud, silly, and full of movement. A tissue box is filled with small jingle bells.
The box is taped to a belt or waistband behind the player. When the game begins, the player must shake their body nonstop.
Jumping and twisting are allowed. Hands cannot help at all. Bells must fall out on their own.
The first person to empty the box, or the one with the fewest bells left, wins.
Wrap It Like Itโs Hot
See who can wrap a present the fastest with one hand behind their back.
1k+ bought in past month
Speed and control are both tested here. A small gift box, wrapping paper, and tape are placed on a table.
One hand must stay behind the playerโs back the entire time. Only one hand can be used to wrap the gift. The paper may slide and tear, which makes it harder.
Neat wrapping is not required. The first player to fully wrap the present before time is up wins the challenge.
Gift Stack Attack
Stack wrapped boxes of various sizes as high as you can – no leaning allowed!
100+ bought in past month
This game tests balance and patience. Wrapped gift boxes of different sizes are placed on the floor or table.
Players stack the boxes one by one to build a tall tower. Boxes cannot lean on walls, chairs, or people. Hands must move slowly and carefully.
If the stack falls, the turn is over. The clock runs for one minute. When time ends, the tallest standing stack wins the challenge.
Spoonful of Snow
Transfer cotton balls (snow) from one bowl to another using a spoon in your mouth.
50+ bought in past month
A calm mouth and steady moves help in this game. Cotton balls are used as pretend snow.
One bowl starts full, and another bowl sits a short distance away. The spoon is held in the playerโs mouth the whole time. Hands are not allowed to help.
Players walk carefully to move the snow. Dropped cotton balls do not count. The player who transfers the most snow in one minute wins.
Stocking Stuffer Shake-Up
Shake a stocking filled with mystery objects. Guess all of them correctly in one minute.
9k+ bought in past month
Curiosity makes this game exciting. A stocking is filled with small mystery items. Players may shake, squeeze, and feel the stocking.
Looking inside is not allowed at all. The goal is to guess every object using touch only. Speaking guesses out loud is fine.
The timer runs for one minute. Each correct guess earns a point. The player who correctly names the most items before time runs out is the winner.
Snowman Slam
Set up a tower of paper cups decorated as snowmen and knock them down with a โsnowballโ (white sock or ping pong ball).
400+ bought in past month
This game mixes aim and excitement. Paper cups are stacked to form a tall tower.
Each cup is decorated like a snowman for extra fun. Players stand behind a line with a soft snowball, such as a white sock or ping pong ball.
The goal is to knock down as many cups as possible. One throw at a time is allowed.
When the minute ends, the player who knocks down the most snowmen wins.
Balloon Antlers
Teams race to blow up and stuff balloons into a pair of pantyhose, then wear them as reindeer antlers.
200+ bought in past month
Teamwork makes this challenge extra fun. Each team gets balloons and a pair of pantyhose.
One player blows up the balloons while others help tie them off. The balloons are stuffed into the pantyhose legs.
Once filled, the pantyhose are worn on the head like reindeer antlers. Speed matters more than looks. The first team to finish and wear their antlers correctly wins the race.
Nutcracker Knockdown
Stand candy canes on end and knock them over with a Nerf gun or rubber bands.
Focus and control are key in this action game. Candy canes stand upright on a table or floor.
Players stand a short distance away with a Nerf gun or rubber bands. The goal is to knock over as many candy canes as possible.
Each shot must be aimed carefully. Fallen candy canes count as points. When time runs out, the player with the most candy canes knocked down wins.
Santa Pants Shuffle
Players race to fill oversized red pants (or a Santa suit) with balloons.
200+ bought in past month
Big laughs come fast in this game. Oversized red pants or a Santa suit are placed at the start line.
Balloons are scattered across the room. When the timer starts, players race to grab balloons and stuff them into their pants.
Hands move quickly, and balloons may pop out. The pants must be worn or held upright the whole time.
When time is up, the player with the most balloons inside the pants wins.
Peppermint Stack
Stack as many peppermint candies as you can without them toppling over.
200+ bought in past month
This game looks easy, but it takes patience. Peppermint candies are placed on a flat table.
Players stack the candies one by one to build a tower. Hands must move slowly and carefully.
No glue or sticky help is allowed. If the stack falls, the player must start again. The clock runs for one minute. When time ends, the tallest standing peppermint stack is the winner.
Silent Night Charades
Classic charades – but you canโt say a single word. Use holiday-themed clues only.
1k+ bought in past month
Quiet fun fills the room during this game. Players take turns acting out holiday words or phrases.
No talking, sounds, or lip movements are allowed. Only body movement and facial expressions can be used. The clues must be related to Christmas or winter.
Teammates guess as fast as they can. Each correct guess earns a point. The team with the most correct answers before time runs out wins the game.
Snowball Spoon Race
Balance a cotton ball on a spoon and walk it across the room – fastest without dropping wins.
100+ bought in past month
This game needs balance and focus. Each player gets a spoon and one cotton ball.
The spoon is held in the hand or mouth, depending on the rules you choose. Players walk from one side of the room to the other.
Running is not allowed. If the snowball drops, the player must stop and fix it. The goal is to reach the finish line first without dropping the cotton ball.
Candy Cane Pick Up
Using a candy cane in your mouth, try to pick up other candy canes off the table.
2k+ bought in past month
Simple rules make this game fun to watch. One candy cane is held in the playerโs mouth.
Other candy canes are placed flat on a table. Hands must stay away the entire time. The player uses the candy cane to hook and lift the others.
Each lifted candy cane is placed into a bowl. The timer runs for one minute. The player who picks up the most candy canes wins the challenge.
Melt The Snowman
Give each player an ice cube and see who can melt theirs the fastest using only their hands.
1k+ bought in past month
Cold hands make this game tricky. Each player is given one ice cube. The ice cube must stay in the hands at all times.
Blowing, rubbing on clothes, or using the mouth is not allowed. Players can only use body heat from their hands. Water may drip, so towels help.
The goal is to melt the ice cube as fast as possible. The first person to fully melt their snowman wins.
Christmas Card Tower
Stack Christmas cards to create the tallest standing tower possible.
This challenge takes a steady hand and lots of patience. A stack of Christmas cards is placed on a table.
Players use the cards to build a tall tower. Cards must stand on their edges, not flat. No leaning on cups, walls, or hands is allowed.
If the tower falls, the player starts again. The timer runs for one minute. When time is up, the tallest standing card tower wins.
Gingerbread Toss
Toss gingerbread cookies into a bucket across the room. Highest score wins.
1k+ bought in past month
Fun and focus go together in this game. A bucket is placed across the room or a few steps away.
Each player gets several gingerbread cookies. Standing behind a line, players toss the cookies one at a time. Overhand or underhand throws are allowed.
Cookies that land inside the bucket count as points. Missed throws do not count. When the minute ends, the player with the most cookies in the bucket wins.
Elf Hat Ring Toss
Set up cone-shaped elf hats and toss rings (or glow necklaces) to land on top.
Bright colors make this game exciting. Cone-shaped elf hats are set up on the floor or table.
Players stand a short distance away with rings or glow necklaces. The goal is to toss the rings so they land on top of the hats.
Each successful toss earns a point. Rings that miss do not count. Players keep tossing until time runs out. The player with the most rings on the hats wins.
Present Balance Walk
Balance a wrapped box on your head and walk across the room. If it falls, start over!
200+ bought in past month
Careful steps are the key to winning here. Each player places a wrapped gift box on their head.
Hands must stay at their sides the whole time. Players walk from one end of the room to the other. Running is not allowed.
If the box falls, the player must return to the start and try again. Balance matters more than speed. The first person to reach the finish line wins.
The Snowman Game
Roll toilet paper around a teammate to turn them into a โsnowmanโ before time runs out.
5k+ bought in past month
This game is fast, silly, and great for teams. One player stands still as the snowman.
Teammates grab rolls of toilet paper and start wrapping. Arms, legs, and body are all covered carefully. The goal is to wrap as much as possible before time runs out.
Tearing the paper is allowed. When the timer ends, the team with the best-looking or most covered snowman wins.
Great For All Ages!
The beauty of these Minute To Win It games is that you can adapt them easily:
- For kids: Use softer materials, lower targets, or slower timers
- For adults: Add challenges or up the competition with prizes
- For mixed-age groups: Form teams so older players can help younger ones
Conclusion
Christmas games are a wonderful way to bring people together and create happy memories.
These Christmas Minute to Win It games are easy to set up and fun for all ages.
They help break the ice and keep everyone smiling. One minute is all it takes to feel excited and involved. You can play them at home, at school, or at a holiday party.
Choose your favorites or mix many games together. Most of all, enjoy the laughter, teamwork, and holiday spirit.
Simple games can turn any Christmas gathering into a joyful celebration.
Engage With Us
Which of these Minute to Win It games did you enjoy the most? Did you try any of them at a party, school event, or family gathering?
Share your favorite moments, fun photos, or even your own game ideas in the comments.
If you have a creative twist or a brand-new game to add to the list, let us know.
Your ideas may inspire others to make their Christmas celebrations even more fun and memorable.