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If you’re tired of the same old party games that make you want to fake a migraine and ghost your own gathering, you’ve stumbled on the mother lode of candy cane entertainment.
Let’s transform those innocent little candy canes into weapons of mass entertainment a.k.a. candy cane games for the holidays! (Legally and safely, of course)
Quick-Start Candy Cane Games (Because Who Has Time to Read Instructions?)
Some guests have the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel.
That’s why these quick-hit games are perfect for getting the party started without anyone checking their phones every two seconds AND without the little kids getting antsy.
1. Candy Cane Derby
Objective: Be the first player to score 5 marshmallows in your goal using only a candy cane as your trusty bat.
How to Play:
- Give each player a candy cane (the bigger, the better)
- Place marshmallows in the center of the table
- Use the curved end to bat marshmallows toward your goal (a cup that’s been taped to the edge of the table)
- First to 5 wins (and gets to eat their prizes!)
Why It’s Fun: It’s basically mini hockey meets food fight, minus the cleanup drama.
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2. Candy Cane Wrap Race
Objective: Transform your teammate into a human candy cane using red and white streamers (or crepe paper) before other teams finish.
How to Play:
- Split into teams of three
- One person is the “candy cane”
- Two wrappers work together to create red and white stripes
- First properly striped human candy cane wins
Why It’s Fun: Nothing says “holiday spirit” like turning your friends and family into human candy canes while they stand there questioning their life choices.
Tip
Play a short holiday song as a countdown timer for each wrapping attempt. The music pumps up the energy, and when the music stops, all wrapping has to stop, leading to funny, halfway-done “candy canes” that add to the laughs!
HEADS UP!
Craving more festive fun? When you’re done swinging those candy canes, I’ve got games that’ll have you in stitches—think snort-worthy White Elephant gift exchange chaos and winter minute to win it challenges that’ll bring the heat. 🎄💥
3. Candy Cane Spoons
Objective: Don’t be the last person to grab a candy cane when matches are made!
How to Play:
- Place candy canes (one fewer than players) in center
- Deal four cards to each player
- Players pass cards to the left, trying to get four of a kind
- Once you have four of a kind, grab a candy cane! Everyone else grabs one, too-last player without one is out.
Why It’s Fun: This game is quick to learn, hilarious to play, and keeps everyone on their toes! The candy cane twist adds a festive feel and a friendly dose of competition to your gathering.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| What’s Up | Cool Stuff | Not So Cool Stuff | Who’s Gonna Love It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candy Cane Derby | No major cleanup required, instant fun | Flying marshmallows – enough said | Sugar-loving chaos agents ages 6+ |
| Wrap Race | Burns off holiday dinner, Instagram gold | Streamers. Everywhere. Forever. | Theater kids and anyone who enjoys mild public humiliation (ages 8+) |
| Candy Cane Spoons | Classic game with a twist | Candy cane casualties | Card game lovers who aren’t afraid of competition (ages 10+) |
Active Games (For When The Sugar Rush Kicks In)
4. Candy Cane Hockey
Objective: Score goals using candy canes as hockey sticks and peppermints as pucks. Yes, really.
How to Play:
- Set up mini goals (just a piece of masking tape on the end)at table ends
- Arm players with wrapped candy canes
- Drop the peppermint “puck”
- Try not to get too competitive (good luck with that)
Why It’s Fun: It’s like the NHL meets Willy Wonka, minus the expensive equipment and chocolate river.
5. Candy Cane Balance Relay
Objective: Race while balancing candy canes that have been linked through their curves, because regular racing is too basic.
How to Play:
- Everyone has to link two candy canes end-to-end by their hooks
- Form relay teams
- Run the course with the dangling candy canes
- Drop a candy cane? Back to start! (Evil laugh optional)
Why It’s Fun: It’s like watching a three-ring circus, but you’re the entertainment.
6. Candy Cane Fencing
Objective: Channel your inner musketeer with candy canes instead of swords.
How to Play:
- Each player gets one sturdy candy cane
- Hold at the straight end
- Try to knock opponent’s cane away or to break it
- Last unbroken cane wins
Why It’s Fun: It’s Renaissance faire meets North Pole vibes.
Tip
Candy canes tend to snap under pressure, but wrapping them in a bit of clear tape makes them sturdier for this “epic duel.” This trick keeps things going longer without needing backup canes (and fewer sugar shards on the floor!).
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| What’s Up | Cool Stuff | Not So Cool Stuff | Who’s Gonna Love It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candy Cane Hockey | Feels sporty without actual exercise | Table damage potential | Sports fans who can’t actually sports (ages 8+) |
| Candy Cane Balance Relay | Hilarious spectator sport | Constant restarts | Coordination ninjas and those who enjoy chaos (ages 7+) |
| Candy Cane Fencing | Minimal setup, maximum drama | Broken candy carnage | Drama queens/kings who watched too many swashbuckling movies (ages 10+) |
Skill-Based Activities (For The Show-Offs)
7. Candy Cane Cup
Objective: Lower a candy cane into a cup while blindfolded because we like to make simple tasks impossible.
How to Play:
- Tie string to candy cane
- Blindfold player
- Try to lower cane into cup
- Time each attempt
Why It’s Fun: Watching confident people put candy canes everywhere except the cup is pure entertainment.
Tip
You can tape a small washer or penny to the end of the string attached to the candy cane. This added weight helps stabilize the cane, so it’s easier to lower into the cup without flinging around like a rogue holiday ornament.
8. Candy Cane Board
Objective: Score points by sliding marshmallows with candy canes.
How to Play:
- Use expo marker to point zones on table or just use masking tape
- Use candy cane to push, flick, hit a marshmallow
- Score based on landing zone
- Try not to eat all your ammo
Why It’s Fun: It’s like billiards for people who think pool cues are too heavy.
Tip
Instead of plain tape, jazz up scoring zones by labeling each with holiday themes, like “Santa’s Workshop” for high points or “Coal Zone” for the lowest. It adds fun flair to the table, makes scoring clear, and gives players a little more excitement as they aim.
9. Candy Cane Tree Toss
Objective: Hook candy canes on a mini tree from various distances.
How to Play:
- Set up mini tree
- Mark throwing distances
- Toss candy canes
- Points for successful hooks
Why It’s Fun: It’s like horseshoes for the holidays, but with more potential for getting candy canes stuck in your hair.
Party Games (For When You Need to Entertain the Masses)
10. Bobbing for Candy Canes (a.k.a The Candy Cane Game)
Objective: Hook candy canes with your mouth because using hands is too mainstream.
How to Play:
- Spread candy canes on table
- No hands allowed
- Hook as many as possible
- Try not to drool (good luck)
Why It’s Fun: Watching people face-plant into tables never gets old.
Pro Tip: Keep hand sanitizer and napkins nearby – this gets drooly real quick.
11. Candy Cane Hook Relay
Objective: Transfer candy canes between baskets using another candy cane as a hook, because we like to make simple tasks needlessly complicated.
How to Play:
- Split into teams and get ready for some candy cane chaos!
- Put an empty basket at the finish line for each team.
- At the start, each team gets a basket of candy canes, and every player gets their own candy cane.
- Pop your candy cane in your mouth, hook-end down, and use it to snag a candy cane from the basket.
- Run to the finish line and drop it into the basket—but if you drop it along the way, head back and try again!
- Keep going until all the candy canes are transferred.
- The first team to finish wins and claims ultimate candy cane glory!
Why It’s Fun: It’s like playing Operation, but with less buzzing and more sugar.
Tip
Have extra candy canes ready – candy canes will break, dreams will be shattered.
12. Candy Cane Hunt
Objective: Find hidden candy canes before anyone else, while pretending you’re on a sophisticated treasure hunt.
How to Play:
- Hide canes throughout space
- Provide clues (optional)
- Assign point values by color
- Release the hounds (I mean, players)
Why It’s Fun: It’s like an Easter egg hunt but seasonally appropriate.
Tip
Count how many you hide and where you put them – you’ll thank me when you’re not finding sticky surprises months later.
13. Who Stole the Candy Cane?
Objective: Pass a candy cane secretly while others try to guess who has it – basically teaching kids the art of deception.
How to Play:
- Form a circle
- Pass candy cane secretly
- One person guesses
- Lots of fake passing to confuse
Why It’s Fun: It’s like a sugar-coated version of hide and seek meets poker faces.
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| What’s Up | Cool Stuff | Not So Cool Stuff | Just a Heads Up | Who’s Gonna Love It? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobbing for Canes | Hilarious to watch, minimal prep | Drool. So much drool. | Someone will face-plant | Competitive types who don’t mind public embarrassment (ages 8+) |
| Hook Relay | Active and engaging, team building | Frequent breaks and drops | Candy cane casualties guaranteed | Patient players with steady hands (ages 7+) |
| Candy Cane Hunt | Gets everyone moving, customizable | Hard to track all pieces | Some will never be found | Treasure hunters and sugar seekers (all ages) |
| Who Stole the Candy Cane | Low energy, high entertainment | Can get repetitive | Trust issues may develop | Future poker players and drama lovers (ages 6+) |
Pro Tips for Success (Because Nobody Wants Their Party to Flop)
- Always have backup candy canes: Triple whatever number you think you need. Hide some behind the vegetables in your fridge (seriously, no one looks there), and mix up your sizes for different games you might want to play.
- Keep cleaning supplies handy: Paper towels, spray bottle, wet wipes – keep ’em close. Pro move: Throw down a plastic tablecloth first. Future you will send present you a thank-you note.
- Adjust rules on the fly: No game survives first contact with sugar-hyped players. Be ready to simplify rules, combine teams, and perfect your “this was totally intentional” face.
- Have non-candy prizes: Dollar store trinkets, stickers, and “champion” certificates work wonders. Your walls (and the kids’ parents) will thank you for not adding to the sugar rush.
- Document everything: Grab a designated photographer, create a party hashtag, and capture those perfectly imperfect moments. Just keep the blackmail-worthy fails private.
Tip
Give a small prize to anyone who volunteers to help with cleanup at the end. Kids love roles like “Candy Cane Custodian,” and knowing cleanup helpers are lined up means you can enjoy the games without stressing over post-party mess.
Safety First (Because Nobody Wants to Spend Christmas in the ER)
- Watch the little ones: Candy canes are basically festive weapons. Get teens to help monitor, use plastic versions for tiny tots, and keep that first aid kit handy.
- Clear the arena: Move the breakables, mark game boundaries, and keep exits clear. Think of it as baby-proofing, but for sugar-fueled chaos.
- Check for allergies: Know who can’t handle peppermint, have alternatives ready, and keep emergency contacts handy. Mystery ingredients are for murder mysteries, not holiday parties.
- Clean as you go: Crushed candy canes are nature’s glitter – they get everywhere and never truly disappear. Regular sweeps save feet (and your sanity).
If you’re viewing this on a mobile device, put your finger on the table below and swipe to the left (or right) to see the full table.
| Category | Must-Haves | Nice-to-Haves | Avoid At All Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplies | Extra candy canes, cleaning kit, first aid supplies | Prize alternatives, decoration backups | Dollar store candy canes (they break too easily) |
| Safety Gear | Non-slip mats, clear workspace, adult supervisors | Safety goggles for active games, designated rest area | Mixing active and quiet game zones |
| Documentation | Phone camera, party plan, emergency contacts | Photo props, winner certificates | Posting embarrassing fails without permission |
| Game Mods | Simplified rules, age variations, team options | Special role cards, handicap systems | Rigid rule enforcement |
| Cleanup | Paper towels, wet wipes, trash bags | Handheld vacuum, reward system for helpers | Waiting until end for all cleanup |
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