Holidays are the only time of the year when the whole family gathers!!
Probably, it’s the only time when nobody makes any excuses for not being home.
Imagine this: temperatures dropping down to a single digit or maybe negative, the fireplace lit up, everybody snuggled inside the warmth of the comfy blankets with cups of hot cocoa and numerous stories to tell
Fascinating and nostalgic, right?
There’s nothing better than the togetherness of a family.
To make your family vacay even better, we bring to you a collection of 15 candy cane-inspired game ideas for both adults and kids.
Why should the youngsters have all the fun?
A few tweaks here and there and the adults can also play the same games.
1. Candy Cane Hook ‘Em
A classic challenge of precision and speed, players race to hook candy canes using only another candy cane held in their mouth!
Requirements:
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Bowl of candy canes
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One candy cane per player (with hooked end)
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Timer
How to Play:
Each player holds a candy cane in their mouth and tries to hook as many candy canes as possible from a pile within 60 seconds—no hands allowed!
The one who collects the most is the winner. This game gets funnier as the competition heats up, especially with kids and adults playing side by side.
2. Candy Cane Relay Race
This holiday twist on a classic relay keeps everyone on their toes—and trying not to drop their cane!
Requirements:
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Candy canes (2 per team)
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Spoons or holiday-themed tongs
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Space to race
How to Play:
Split into teams and set a start and finish line.
Players balance a candy cane on a spoon or between two candy canes and race to the finish without dropping it. They must hand it off to the next teammate for the race to continue. First team to complete the relay wins!
3. Candy Cane Limbo
How low can you go… under a giant candy cane?
Requirements:
-
Large candy cane prop or decorated limbo stick
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Holiday music
How to Play:
Play festive tunes while players take turns leaning back and limbo-ing under the candy cane.
After each round, lower the stick slightly. Players who touch the cane or fall are out. The last limbo champ standing wins!
4. Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt
Hide and seek meets sweet treats in this festive family game.
Requirements:
-
A bundle of candy canes
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Basket or bag for collection
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A checklist (optional)
How to Play:
Hide candy canes around the house or yard. Players are given a set time to find as many as they can.
To make it trickier, hide some in creative spots or color-code them with bonus points. The player with the most candy canes wins!
5. Candy Cane Pickup Challenge
A test of patience, balance, and a steady hand!
Requirements:
-
Dozens of candy canes
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Timer
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Flat table
How to Play:
Scatter candy canes on a table.
Using only one candy cane in their mouth, players have 60 seconds to pick up as many as they can and drop them in a bowl. It’s trickier than it sounds, and even funnier to watch!
6. Candy Cane Fishing
Perfect for younger kids or the young at heart, this game turns candy into a hook-and-reel challenge.
Requirements:
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Ribbon or string
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Candy canes
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A pole or stick (optional)
How to Play:
Tie a string to a candy cane and let it dangle over a box or basket filled with more candy canes.
Players “fish” by trying to hook the other canes without using their hands. The player who “catches” the most in a set time wins!
7. Candy Cane Spoon Balance
Steady hands and nerves of steel win this race!
Requirements:
-
Plastic or metal spoons
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Candy canes
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Open space
How to Play:
Each player places a candy cane on a spoon and races from one end of the room to the other.
If the candy cane falls, they must start again. This can be turned into a relay or played individually with a timer.
8. Candy Cane Stack Attack
A tabletop game of balance and patience.
Requirements:
-
Dozens of mini candy canes
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Flat surface
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Timer
How to Play:
Players compete to build the tallest tower of candy canes by stacking them hook-to-hook.
They get one minute to stack as many as they can. If the tower falls, they can start over—but time keeps ticking!
9. Candy Cane Pass It On
A no-hands party game that brings the giggles!
Requirements:
-
Candy canes
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One per player
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Open space
How to Play:
Players line up or stand in a circle.
Each person has a candy cane in their mouth and must pass another candy cane to the next player without using their hands. If the candy cane drops, that team or player starts over. First to finish the chain wins!
10. Candy Cane Hide-and-Seek Tag
A festive twist on tag that mixes movement and mystery.
Requirements:
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Candy canes
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Space to run and hide
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A designated “It” player
How to Play:
Hide candy canes throughout the space. While players search, one person is “It” and tags others.
If you’re tagged, you freeze until another player gives you a candy cane to set you free. The game ends when all canes are found or everyone is tagged.
11. Candy Cane Bowling
Strike with style using peppermints and holiday flair.
Requirements:
-
Mini candy canes
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Empty plastic bottles
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A small ball
How to Play:
Set up plastic bottles like bowling pins and mark a rolling line.
Players roll a ball to knock down the pins, but they must use a candy cane to guide or launch the ball. Highest score after a few rounds wins the sweetest bragging rights.
12. Candy Cane Ornament Toss
A tossing game that brings out the festive competitor in everyone.
Requirements:
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Candy cane wreaths or hula hoops
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Candy cane ornaments or soft toys
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Marked throwing line
How to Play:
Set up hoops or candy cane targets across the room. Players take turns tossing their candy cane ornament to land in the target.
Score based on distance and accuracy, and declare the top scorer the Candy Cane Champ!
13. Candy Cane Minute to Win It
Fast, festive, and oh-so-funny!
Requirements:
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Candy canes
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Timer
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Paper cups or bowls
How to Play:
In 60 seconds, players must move candy canes from one bowl to another using only a candy cane in their mouth.
They can’t use their hands or drop the candy canes, and they must hook each one. It’s quick, competitive, and always hilarious.
14. Guess the Candy Cane Flavor
A tasty mystery for kids and adults alike.
Requirements:
-
A variety of flavored candy canes (unwrapped)
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Blindfold
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Paper and pen
How to Play:
Blindfolded players sample different candy canes and try to guess the flavor.
Offer fun ones like peppermint, watermelon, or mystery mix. Keep score and see who has the sweetest sense of taste!
15. Candy Cane Ring Toss
Simple, sweet, and perfect for all ages.
Requirements:
-
Wooden or plastic sticks
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Large candy canes
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Open space or tabletop
How to Play:
Place upright sticks on the ground or a table. Players take turns tossing candy canes, trying to hook them onto the sticks.
Each successful toss earns a point. Set a score to win or keep going until the candy supply runs out!
See Also:
Well, there you go!!
15 amazing game ideas for everybody.
Happy Holidays!!