5 Fun & Engaging Holiday Brain Games
Whether your holiday plans include cozy nights at home or long road trips, you’ll likely find yourself with some downtime. What better way to fill it than with festive holiday brain games that bring the family together while giving everyone a chance to flex their cognitive muscles? These holiday-themed games are not only fun but also great for boosting memory, attention, and critical thinking skills.
Here are 5 holiday brain games perfect for all ages and group sizes—whether you’re gathered around the fireplace or cruising down the highway.
1. Holiday Song Chain
Kick off a game of lyrical connections! One person starts by singing a line from a holiday song, then stops. The next person must continue with a line from a different song that starts with the same word the previous person ended with. Keep the chain going as long as possible, linking holiday songs in a fun, memory-boosting challenge!
2. Winter Word Memory Circle
Choose a letter of the alphabet and have everyone think of a winter or holiday-themed word starting with that letter. The first player says their word, and each following player must repeat all the previous words in order before adding their own.
Example with the letter “S”:
Player 1: snow
Player 2: snow, sleigh
Player 3: snow, sleigh, snowman
Player 4: snow, sleigh, snowman, Santa
Player 1: snow, sleigh, snowman, Santa, star…
How long can your group keep the list going? This game is a fantastic way to exercise both memory and concentration.
3. A to Z Holiday Categories
Select a holiday-related category—such as festive foods, winter activities, or Christmas traditions—and work together to come up with items for each letter of the alphabet, starting from A and going all the way to Z.
For instance, in the category of holiday foods:
- A: Apple pie
- B: Biscotti
- C: Candy cane
If someone comes up with a creative (or questionable) entry, the group can vote on whether it counts!
4. Three-Word Winter Story
Get creative with this storytelling game! Assign a player three random words, like “reindeer,” “snowflake,” and “chimney.” Their task is to create a short, silly story incorporating all three words. For an extra challenge, try turning it into a poem or a rhyming tale.
Looking for a holiday twist? Ensure every story has a festive theme, no matter how unusual the word combination!
5. Holiday Speed List
Pick a holiday category—like Christmas movies, winter sports, or things that are red and green—and set a timer for 10 seconds. Each player has to name as many items in that category as they can before the timer runs out. This fast-paced game is great for improving quick thinking and reaction time.
Bonus: Build Your Brain with More Fun Challenges
Looking for more brain-boosting fun? Check out our recommended list of board and card games designed to strengthen cognitive skills like attention, memory, and processing speed. Here’s 2024’s roundup >>
We also offer a FREE brain training game pack based on our unique LearningRx training methods that you can try at home. These activities are perfect for keeping both kids and adults mentally sharp while having a blast!
