Games to play this festive season

Games to play this festive season

1. Reindeer Hoofs

What You Need:
- Plastic cups (one for each hand per participant)
- Marshmallows or lollies

How to Play:
Players wear plastic cups on their hands, pretending they’re reindeer hoofs. With their hands covered by the cups, they attempt to scoop up as many marshmallows or lollies from a central pile as possible. It’s a test of coordination and strategy as players try to fill their “hoofs” with sweet treats. At the end of the game, the player who has collected the most wins.

2. Cup Flip Elimination

What You Need:
- Plastic cups (one less than the number of participants)
- A table

How to Play:
Arrange the cups on a table, similar to how you would set up musical chairs. Players walk around the table while music plays. As soon as the music stops, everyone scrambles to grab a cup. They must then flip their cup onto the edge of the table. The last person to successfully flip their cup is eliminated. The game continues with one fewer cup each round until only one player remains as the winner.

3. Balloon Run

What You Need:
- Balloons

How to Play:
This is a fun and fast-paced relay-style game. The first player grabs a balloon and runs to a designated point before returning to the starting line. They then pick a partner, and together they place a balloon between their bodies. Holding the balloon securely, the pair runs to the same point and back without dropping or popping the balloon. The process repeats, with the group adding more players and balloons until the entire team has completed the challenge. The goal is teamwork and coordination without bursting any balloons along the way.

4. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Cups

What You Need:
- Cups (one for each pair of participants)

How to Play:
Two players face off on either side of a table with a cup placed in the middle. The leader begins calling out “head,” “shoulders,” “knees,” and “toes,” with players touching the corresponding body parts as quickly as they can. When the leader suddenly shouts “Cup!” both players race to grab the cup from the table. The player who successfully grabs the cup wins that round. The game continues for multiple rounds, with the fastest and most alert player crowned the overall winner.

5. Flip Cup Tic-Tac-Toe

What You Need:
- Plastic cups
- A tic-tac-toe grid

How to Play:
Players take turns flipping cups onto the table. When a player successfully lands a flip, they place their cup in one of the squares on a tic-tac-toe grid. The aim is to get three in a row while also blocking the opponent’s attempts to do the same. It’s a combination of skill and strategy, with the added excitement of cup flipping keeping everyone on their toes.

6. Musical Candy Cane

What You Need:
- Candy canes (one less than the number of participants)

How to Play:
Just like musical chairs, players walk around a table while music plays. Candy canes are placed in the center of the table. When the music stops, everyone dives for a candy cane. The player who fails to grab one is eliminated. The game continues until only one player is left, making them the ultimate candy cane champion.

7. Candy Cane Hook

What You Need:
- Candy canes
- String
- Water bottles or similar targets with small hole opening

How to Play:
Attach strings to candy canes and set up water bottles or another target nearby. Players use their candy canes as hooks, trying to latch onto the strings and guide them into the target. It requires patience and a steady hand, as the player who hooks the most candy canes by the end wins.

8. Marshmallow Scoop

What You Need:
- Marshmallows
- Wooden spoons
- Bowls
- Blindfolds (tea-towel, shirt etc..)

How to Play:
Scatter marshmallows across a table, making sure there are plenty to go around. Each player is blindfolded and armed with a wooden spoon. The challenge is to scoop as many marshmallows as possible into their bowl within a set time. Without the ability to see, players rely on their sense of touch and aim to gather as many marshmallows as they can. The player with the fullest bowl at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Whether you’re planning a holiday party, a family gathering, or just a fun-filled day with friends, these games are sure to bring laughter and excitement to everyone involved. From reindeer hoofs to musical candy canes, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. Grab your supplies, gather your group, and get ready to create unforgettable memories this festive season. Let the games begin!