10 easy art games I'll be playing with family this Christmas

There's a point on Christmas Day when everyone runs out of ideas. Screens come out, children need entertaining and TV just isn't quite as good as it used to be. But if you're a creative type, you could pull out this handy list of art games and get the whole group involved. Or if you need inspiration for the dead zone between Christmas and New Year, this list could be your saviour.

There are games here that will suit most families, and you don't need to be good at art to enjoy them. Oh, you can also take the Christmas theme out of these if you'd rather. The art part still works.

01. Pass the Picture

This is like a picture version of Consequences. You could add in a prompt for every 'pass' like "draw a character" or "add a food", or you could let people decide for themselves.

• Start a Christmas drawing
• Every 30–60 seconds, pass it to the next person
• Show pictures at the end

04. Blind drawing challenge

This is one where your art skills might actually be an advantage.

• One person describes a Christmas object
• The artist draws without looking
• Compare results at the end

05. Draw it from memory

• Show a Christmas picture for 10 seconds
• Hide it
• Everyone draws what they remember

06. Christmas Doodle dice

• Roll a dice:
  • 1 = add stripes
  • 2 = add dots
  • 3 = add a face
  • 4 = add something sparkly
  • 5 = swap papers
  • 6 = choose your own

07. Paint the pose

• Someone freezes in a silly pose
• Others draw it quickly (30 seconds)
• Switch roles

08. Half and half faces

• One painter does the left side, another does the right
• No talking during painting
• Hilarious results

09. Silhouette portraits

• Profile against a wall + lamp
• Trace the shadow
• Decorate inside the shape

10. One-line Christmas drawings

• Draw Santa / tree / star without lifting your pen

11. Speed Snowman / Santa / whatever you like

• Decide on the topic
• Set a 1-minute timer
• Draw the best you can

12. Musical painting

• Paint while music plays
• When the music changes, change colours or style
• Stop when the music stops

13. Art Telephone

• First person draws a Christmas scene
• Next person writes what they think it is
• Next person draws that
• Continue round the table

14. Character mash-up

• Draw two prompts:
  • character (elf, animal, superhero)
  • mood or style (sparkly, spooky, sleepy)
• Combine both in one face design

15. Emotional Christmas faces

• Draw Santa feeling:
  • excited
  • tired
  • grumpy
  • calm

16. Collaborative giant picture

• Big sheet on the table
• Each person adds one thing when it’s their turn
• No planning allowed