The holiday season is a time for fun, laughter and games. And what better way to embrace the festive spirit than with some candy cane-themed games? Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, a December birthday celebration, or just looking for some family-friendly activities, candy cane games are a fantastic addition to any gathering.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 25 top candy cane games that are not only enjoyable but also easy to set up. From DIY ideas that require minimal materials to games you can purchase, we’ve got you covered with creative twists, step-by-step instructions and plenty of holiday cheer!
Introduction to Candy Cane Games
Candy canes are synonymous with the holidays. Their iconic shape and peppermint flavor evoke feelings of nostalgia and joy. But beyond their delicious taste, candy canes are also perfect for crafting fun games that everyone can enjoy, regardless of age. This collection of candy cane games includes a mix of classic and innovative ideas to suit different tastes and group sizes.
DIY Candy Cane Games
1. No Hands Scoop Game
This game is simple yet challenging and perfect for a group of all ages. Set up ten candy canes at the edge of a table, with the hooks hanging off the side. Players must place one candy cane in their mouth and, without using their hands, hook as many candy canes as possible onto the one they’re holding. The player who collects the most in one minute wins. Tip: Make it more competitive by adding a time limit or introducing more difficult hooking challenges.
2. Candy Cane Transfer
You’ll need two plates and a bunch of candy canes for this game. One plate holds a pile of candy canes, while the other is empty. The challenge? Players must use a candy cane in their mouth to transfer as many candy canes from one plate to the other within a minute. Pro Tip: For an added twist, introduce different candy cane sizes, or increase the difficulty by spacing the plates farther apart!
3. Candy Cane Flavor Challenge
Expand this game by introducing various unconventional candy cane flavors. Players are blindfolded and must guess the flavor of the candy cane they’re tasting. You can source flavors like pickle, bacon, or even soda-flavored candy canes to really stump the players. Add a scoring system to track which player gets the most correct guesses. Missed Opportunity: Competitors overlook the fun of having a wider range of unexpected flavors, which adds a hilarious and memorable touch.
4. Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt
Make this classic game more interactive by incorporating hints or riddles to guide players to the hidden candy canes. For teens or adults, you can hide prize vouchers or money on certain candy canes to make the game more exciting. Pro Tip: Create multiple scavenger levels, where each found candy cane leads to the next clue or location.
5. Candy Cane Table Hockey
Use a mini peppermint candy as the puck and candy canes as sticks to recreate a fun tabletop hockey game. Set up “goals” using taped markers or small boxes at both ends of the table. Players use their candy cane sticks to shoot the peppermint into their opponent’s goal. Tip: To add variety, use different shapes or sizes of candy canes for varying difficulty levels.
6. Candy Cane Fishing Game
To play this, tie a string to the straight end of a candy cane. Fill a bowl with more candy canes and the goal is to fish out as many candy canes from the bowl as possible using only your candy cane rod. Add multiple rounds with increasing levels of difficulty by reducing the time limit or shrinking the size of the candy canes in the bowl.
7. Guess the Number of Candy Canes
Fill a large jar with candy canes and have guests guess how many are inside. Offer a prize to whoever comes closest to the actual number. Missed Opportunity: Competitors miss out on making this game more dynamic by using jars of different shapes or adding a time challenge to the guessing process.
8. Hungry Hippos: Candy Cane Edition
This fast-paced game mimics the classic Hungry Hungry Hippos, but with candy! Place a large number of small candies in the middle of a table. Each player has 10 seconds to scoop as many as they can toward their side using only candy canes. Pro Tip: To increase the fun, incorporate team play or speed rounds!
9. Candy Cane Ring Toss
Create a simple ring toss game using a tall candy cane as the target and smaller candy canes as rings. You can also use large soft candy cane decorations as the rings for a safer, more kid-friendly version. The goal is to toss the candy canes onto the standing cane from a distance. Pro Tip: Use varying sizes of candy canes to adjust the difficulty and make sure to mark the standing cane with tape for scoring accuracy.
10. Candy Cane Stack Challenge
This game requires balance and patience. Players must stack candy canes on top of each other within a given time limit. The taller the stack, the better! However, if the tower collapses, the player has to start over. Pro Tip: Make it more challenging by setting up a timer or using uneven surfaces to balance the candy canes on.
11. Candy Cane Limbo
Who doesn’t love a game of limbo? Using a giant candy cane prop or a real candy cane decoration, participants must try to limbo their way underneath without touching the cane. After each round, the cane is lowered until only the most flexible players remain. Missed Opportunity: This simple but fun game could easily be adapted for younger children or larger groups by adjusting the candy cane size or the limbo rules, which competitors often overlook.
12. Don’t Say “Candy Cane”
In this variation of the classic forbidden word game, players are not allowed to say the word “candy cane” for the duration of the event. Each participant receives a token and if another player catches them saying the forbidden word, they take the token. The player with the most tokens at the end wins. Pro Tip: Add a twist by introducing additional forbidden words throughout the night to keep players on their toes.
13. Candy Cane Knockdown
Set up empty cans or plastic cups in a pyramid and give each player a candy cane. The goal is to knock down as many cans as possible by rolling a peppermint candy or using the candy cane like a bowling stick. The more cups you knock down, the more points you earn. Tip: For more fun, label each can with a different prize or challenge, which the player must complete if they knock it down.
14. Candy Cane Charades
In this candy cane twist on charades, all the clues are related to candy canes or Christmas themes. Players act out various candy cane-related scenarios without using any words, while their team tries to guess what they’re miming. Tip: This game can be made even more fun with a theme—such as “candy cane workers at Santa’s workshop”—and by encouraging players to dress in holiday costumes.
15. Candy Cane Obstacle Course
Set up an obstacle course around your home or yard, using candy canes as markers or obstacles that participants must maneuver around. You can incorporate different challenges, like balancing a candy cane on your head while navigating the course, or carrying one between your knees. Missed Opportunity: This game offers a fantastic opportunity to create multiple levels of difficulty or fun variations, such as team relays, which competitors often fail to explore.
16. Candy Cane Balloon Pop
Fill a set of balloons with small candy cane pieces and other fun surprises. Hang them up in an area where participants take turns trying to pop the balloons using a candy cane as a dart. Whoever pops the most balloons wins. Pro Tip: Add a timer for each round to increase the excitement!
17. Candy Cane Spoon Relay
Divide players into teams and give each player a spoon with a candy cane balanced on top. The objective is to race to the other side of the room without dropping the candy cane. If it drops, the player has to go back to the starting point. The first team to finish wins. Tip: For added difficulty, increase the size of the room or require players to walk backward!
18. Candy Cane Tic-Tac-Toe
Create a large tic-tac-toe board on the floor or table using tape or chalk. Use mini candy canes as the game pieces, with one player using the red-striped ones and the other player using green-striped ones. The game follows the traditional tic-tac-toe rules and whoever lines up three candy canes first wins. Pro Tip: For a holiday twist, decorate the board with festive colors and lights!
19. Candy Cane Toss
Set up a series of cups or small buckets at varying distances. Players take turns tossing candy canes into the cups, with farther cups earning more points. Whoever scores the most points in a set number of turns wins. Missed Opportunity: Adding different point values for each cup and keeping a score tally could increase the competitive aspect of this game, which is often overlooked.
20. Peppermint Twister
This game is a holiday version of Twister, with red and white circles to match the candy cane theme. Players spin the wheel to find out where to place their hands and feet on the colored circles. Tip: To make it extra festive, players can hold a candy cane in their mouth during the game, adding an extra layer of difficulty and fun!
21. Candy Cane Fishing Relay
In this game, players form two teams and race to “fish” for candy canes using only a candy cane tied to a string. Set up a bowl or bucket filled with candy canes at the end of a relay course and each player must fish out one candy cane before passing the fishing rod to the next team member. The first team to collect all their candy canes wins. Pro Tip: To spice things up, vary the size of the candy canes in the bucket, making some harder to catch.
22. Candy Cane Bowling
Set up a row of mini candy canes like bowling pins and use a small peppermint or bouncy ball as the bowling ball. Players take turns rolling the ball to knock over as many candy canes as possible. The player with the highest score after a few rounds wins. Tip: For younger players, use soft toy bowling sets to avoid damage or injury.
23. Candy Cane Countdown
Fill a jar with candy canes and challenge participants to guess how many are inside. The twist? The jar is filled over a countdown period, with new candy canes being added regularly. Participants submit guesses at any time, but the person with the closest guess at the end of the countdown wins. Missed Opportunity: Most competitors miss adding the countdown element, which builds anticipation and makes the game more dynamic.
24. Candy Cane Balance Game
Players must balance as many candy canes as possible on a single finger or on their nose without them falling. Whoever balances the most candy canes for the longest period wins. Tip: Increase the challenge by making players balance candy canes on different body parts, such as their elbow or knee.
25. Candy Cane Pinata
End your event with a bang by having a candy cane-shaped piñata! Fill it with small candies, including mini candy canes and let participants take turns trying to break it open. Tip: You can add extra fun by blindfolding players or spinning them before they take a swing, making it more challenging to hit the piñata. Additionally, include small prizes like holiday trinkets or vouchers to increase the excitement.
Candy Cane Themed Games to Buy
For those short on time or who prefer to skip the DIY setup, here are some fun candy cane-themed games that you can buy to add instant holiday cheer to your party.
1. Printable Candy Cane Activity Sheets
Printable games are a simple yet effective way to keep guests entertained. These affordable, themed activities can include word searches, mazes, or even a candy cane coloring competition. Print enough sheets for all your guests to enjoy during quieter moments of your event.
2. Candy Cane Toss Game
This pre-made game set usually includes soft candy cane rings and a large candy cane stand. Players toss the rings onto the stand, trying to land the rings on the highest scoring points. The set-up is quick and the game is easy to understand, making it ideal for large groups.
3. Candy Cane Bingo
This festive twist on bingo uses holiday-themed words or images instead of numbers. Players mark off their cards as they spot the items or hear the words called out. Pro Tip: Include small candy cane prizes for the winners to keep with the theme!
4. Candy Cane Jigsaw Puzzle
Nothing says relaxation like sitting around the table and working on a Christmas-themed jigsaw puzzle. These puzzles are not only entertaining but also serve as a great activity for guests who enjoy calmer, more mindful games during the holiday festivities.
5. Candy Cane Memory Game
This is a simple card matching game, with players flipping over two cards at a time to find pairs of matching candy cane-themed images. The game is perfect for kids and adults alike and you can find pre-made versions online or create your own with printable templates.
Conclusion
Candy cane games are a fantastic way to bring festive fun to any holiday event, whether you’re looking for quick DIY activities or ready-made game sets. From classic scavenger hunts to innovative team challenges, there’s something here for every age group and party style.
By incorporating a mix of DIY ideas and ready-to-buy options, this guide ensures you’ll have no shortage of engaging activities to choose from. Make this holiday season unforgettable by incorporating these candy cane-themed games into your celebrations and let the festive cheer begin!
