Christmas Day has a particular challenge: the age range. It spans from young kids to grandparents, with every energy level in between. Some people are keen for something active, some want something relaxed, and some will claim they don't want to play anything — until a game is in front of them.
The games that work on Christmas Day are proper group games — the kind where everyone can be involved at once, where no one gets left on the sideline, and where the game becomes the natural backdrop for the afternoon rather than the whole point of it.
These four deliver that.
Cornhole
The game that pulls everyone in without anyone needing to be asked. Set Cornhole up before guests arrive and it runs itself — people drift toward it, take turns, keep score loosely, and stay outside longer than they planned. Works for every age from about four upward, needs no explanation beyond a quick two-minute summary, and creates the kind of low-stakes competition that suits a Christmas Day where the goal is connection, not winning.
Two boards for proper play. One board if you're keeping it casual. Either way, it earns its place as the anchor of a Christmas afternoon.
Giant Kubb
Kubb rewards the family members who want to actually win at something. Teams throw wooden batons to knock over wooden blocks before taking down the king in the centre — tactical, team-based, and the kind of game where people develop strong opinions about strategy surprisingly quickly.
A game takes twenty to forty minutes, fits naturally alongside conversation, and the "one more game" instinct is reliable. The competitive uncle will be delighted. So will the ten-year-old who discovers they're unexpectedly good at it.
Backyard Cricket
There is almost no activity more embedded in a summer Christmas Day than cricket in the backyard. The Backyard Games NZ Backyard Cricket Set gives that tradition a proper home — solid wooden bat, sturdy wooden wickets, semi-soft ball safe for any backyard setting. The batting distance adjusts for different ages, which means everyone from the five-year-old to the grandparent who played seriously in their thirties can be involved in the same game.
Set it up after lunch. It will still be going at 5pm.
Bocce Ball
The game for family members who want to be part of the afternoon without committing to full competition. Roll toward the target ball, get closer than the other team — gentle, social, and works on any surface. Perfect for the post-lunch window when energy levels are mixed and some people want something to do with their hands while the conversation keeps going.
Bocce Ball is also the game that draws in the people who said they weren't playing. One roll and they want another.
The best Christmas Days have everyone outside
None of these games requires the whole family to play at once. They work alongside the day — alongside the food, the conversation. The goal isn't a structured programme. It's just making sure there's always something available for whoever wants it.
