When it comes to planning a Winter Wonderland party, you want it to be magical, memorable, and fun for everyone. Whether you're hosting family, friends, or a mix of both, the right party games can turn a simple gathering into a celebration no one will forget. The goal is to create an experience where guests stay engaged, entertained, and maybe even a little competitive.
From timeless classics to unique ideas like the Pick Me Up Game, here are game suggestions that will turn your Winter Wonderland party into a must-attend event.
Pin the Nose on Rudolph
An icy twist on the classic "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," this game is simple but fun for guests of all ages.
How it works:
- Draw or print a large picture of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and stick it to a wall.
- Cut out several red noses from felt, construction paper, or use red stickers.
- Blindfold each participant, spin them around, and see who can pin the nose closest to where it belongs.
- The person who gets closest to the target wins the game.
Pro Tip: Use double-sided tape for the noses so they stick without damaging the wall. Want to make it extra challenging? Try spinning each player a few more times than usual to make it more difficult.
Snowman Building Contest (Without Snow!)
Who says you need real snow to build a snowman? This indoor-friendly activity will have your guests racing against the clock.
How it works:
- Divide guests into teams of two or three.
- Each team gets rolls of toilet paper, scarves, hats, and other "snowman" accessories.
- One team member becomes the snowman, and the other teammates race to wrap them up in toilet paper and decorate them.
- The fastest team to create a fully decorated snowman wins!
Pro Tip: Add a design twist and ask guests to create "themed" snowmen. Examples could be "snowman superhero" or "snowman on vacation." Offer prizes for the most creative snowman design.
Snowball Stomp
Get ready for high-energy fun as players try to stomp each other's "snowballs" before theirs gets stomped.
How it works:
- Blow up white balloons and tie a string to each one.
- Attach each string to the player’s ankle.
- Players must stomp on each other's snowball balloons while protecting their own.
- The last player with an unpopped balloon wins.
Pro Tip: To make it more challenging, use glow-in-the-dark balloons and dim the lights. It adds a layer of excitement to the game, especially if you play some energetic music in the background.
Frozen Scavenger Hunt
This game adds a sense of adventure and mystery to your party. It's especially great for kids but adults love it too.
How it works:
- Hide wintry items like mini snowflakes, mittens, candy canes, or toy penguins around the party area.
- Create clues that lead players from one hiding spot to the next.
- Each clue should hint at the next hiding spot.
- The first player (or team) to find all the items wins.
Pro Tip: For added flair, create a "Golden Snowflake" and offer a special prize for the person who finds it. This keeps everyone motivated to search thoroughly.
Hot Cocoa Bar (With a Flavor Challenge)
Every Winter Wonderland party deserves a cozy hot cocoa bar. But why not turn it into a friendly competition?
How it works:
- Set up a self-serve cocoa bar with hot chocolate, whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, and flavored syrups (like caramel or hazelnut).
- Guests can build their own hot cocoa creations.
- Turn it into a game by letting guests create their own cocoa blend and name it.
- Have a taste test and vote on the most delicious creation.
Pro Tip: Add a "secret ingredient" option, like peppermint crumbles or cinnamon dust, that guests can use to give their cocoa a signature twist.
Jingle Bell Toss
A classic toss game, but with a holiday twist.
How it works:
- Place a basket or large container at varying distances.
- Each guest gets a handful of jingle bells to toss into the basket.
- Award points based on the distance of the shot (further away = more points).
- The player with the highest score wins.
Pro Tip: You can increase the difficulty by placing obstacles in front of the basket. This forces players to get creative with their shots.
Penguin Relay
This game has guests waddling like penguins, and it's as fun to watch as it is to play.
How it works:
- Place a small ball (like a foam ball) between each player’s knees.
- Players must "waddle" from the starting line to the finish line without dropping the ball.
- If they drop the ball, they must go back to the starting line.
- The first player to cross the finish line wins.
Pro Tip: To make it more entertaining, have them do a “penguin dance” when they cross the finish line. You can also add an obstacle course element for added difficulty.
Snowball Guessing Game
A simple guessing game that keeps everyone on their toes.
How it works:
- Fill a jar with mini marshmallows or white pom-poms (the "snowballs").
- Guests guess how many “snowballs” are in the jar.
- The player with the closest guess wins.
Pro Tip: If you want to make it more challenging, layer the snowballs with different sizes and colors to make it trickier to count.
Winter Wonderland Dance Party
Turn your living room into a mini winter dance floor. This one never fails to bring the energy up.
How it works:
- Clear a space for dancing.
- Play holiday hits or upbeat party songs.
- Switch it up with "Freeze Dance" rules players must freeze when the music stops. If someone moves after the music stops, they’re "out" for that round.
Pro Tip: Use a spotlight (like a flashlight) to highlight players during their best dance moves. Award prizes for "Best Freeze Pose" or "Coolest Dance Move."
Play the Pick Me Up Game
If you want to turn your Winter Wonderland party into a playful, cheeky, and memorable experience, add Pick Me Up Game to your lineup. It's designed for adults 18+ and guarantees non-stop fun.
How it works:
- Players take turns as the "Hot Date" and draw a scenario card from the black card deck.
- The other players (Suitors) must deliver their best (and sometimes most cringy) pick-up lines from their card decks.
- The Hot Date picks the best line, and the winner gets a point.
- The first player to win 3 rounds is crowned the "King or Queen of Rizz."
Why It’s Perfect for a Winter Wonderland Party: Unlike traditional party games, the Pick Me Up Game thrives on humor and creativity. It’s perfect for 3-8 players, lasts just 15-30 minutes, and gets funnier as the night goes on. Plus, since it revolves around wit and clever comebacks, it’s a great way to keep energy levels high.
Pro Tip: Give it a seasonal twist by requiring players to deliver their pick-up lines with a "holiday" theme. Imagine someone delivering, "Are you a snowstorm? Because you just swept me off my feet." Guaranteed smiles all around.
Holiday Pictionary
This classic drawing game gets a wintry remix at a Winter Wonderland party.
How it works:
- Write holiday-themed words like "snowflake," "reindeer," and "ugly sweater" on slips of paper.
- Players draw the clue while their team guesses.
- Set a timer for each round to keep things moving.
Pro Tip: If you want to make it harder, use winter-related idioms or phrases like “Walking in a Winter Wonderland.” For an extra challenge, make players draw using their non-dominant hand.
Snowball Fight (Indoors!)
Don’t worry, there’s no actual snow involved, but the energy is just as wild.
How it works:
- Use fluffy cotton balls, small white plush balls, or rolled-up socks as "snowballs."
- Divide the room into two sides and divide the players into two teams.
- Players try to throw as many "snowballs" as they can onto the other team's side.
- At the end of the match, count the snowballs on each side, the side with the least amount wins.
Pro Tip: Make mini snowball "forts" out of pillows or boxes. It adds a strategic element and gives players a place to duck and cover.
