After years of hosting and adjusting traditions, I’ve curated a fun family holiday activities list that genuinely works for all ages.

5 fun family holiday activities: TL;DR

1. Volley Games game night

What it does: Voice-controlled games for trivia, karaoke, and party-style play on your smart TV.

Who it’s for: Families who want lively, social game nights where kids, parents, and grandparents can join in and feel like they’re all playing the same game together.

I’ve hosted several Volley Games nights with my family, and it’s become a holiday anchor for us. Firing up Song Quiz triggers competition for who knows more music, and rounds of Karaoke instantly turn the space into a stage. Jumping into Wheel of Fortune feels as good as if we were on the actual set, including the feeling of hitting Bankrupt.

The combination of familiar game shows and music trivia gets my family laughing, arguing about answers, and cheering each other on. It screams “family holiday” in every way to me in how it's playful and a little competitive, while warm and connected.​

Key features

• Runs on connected TVs (Fire TV, Roku, LG, Samsung), turning your TV into a party game hub.
• Players shout answers or sing into the TV remote or paired smartphone.
• The app centers around trivia and music games.
• You can play alone or treat it as a group game around the TV.

Pros

• Game design centers on a “classic game show” feel via TV screen, bringing everyone closer together.
• Voice-controlled music trivia and karaoke around the TV naturally create a loud, playful vibe.
• The format works well with a couch full of people.

Cons

• To use the app, you need a compatible platform (e.g., Fire TV, Roku, or Samsung and LG smart TVs).

Pricing

7‑day free trial; then $12.99/month subscription (includes all supported Volley Games)

Bottom line

For my family, Volley Games both fills time and changes the mood in the room. Within a few minutes, we’re shouting out answers, laughing at off‑key karaoke attempts, and celebrating surprise wins. Everything feels exactly like a holiday gathering should.

2. Group trivia showdown

What it does: Turns the living room into a fast-paced family trivia battle using holiday, pop culture, and custom questions.

Who it’s for: Families who love light-hearted rivalry, hosting a trivia game where everyone gets a chance to show off what they know.

In my family, a group trivia showdown feels like mayhem in the best way. Teams are shouting answers, we argue over wrong answers, and there’s always that one quiet relative who nails the most challenging question of the night.

When we play the officially licensed Jeopardy! from Volley Games (Roku, Fire TV, LG, Samsung), it instantly feels like we’re all on a real game show. You get categories that spark stories and side conversations as much as they spark competition.

Key features

• Works with holiday, family history, and general knowledge categories to keep every round fresh.
• Lets you mix paper questions, TV-based games, and custom rounds for different ages.
• Easy to scale for small groups or a packed house by adding or shrinking teams.
• Fits naturally into an evening with snacks, breaks, and chats between rounds.

Pros

• Keeps everyone mentally engaged and laughing as they argue over answers.
• Gives quieter family members surprising “win” moments when their niche knowledge comes up.

Cons

• Competitive relatives may take it a bit too seriously without clear ground rules.
• Younger kids can get frustrated if most questions are adult-focused.

Pricing

You can run a group trivia showdown using free or low-cost question lists or printable quizzes. For something more interactive, Volley Games Jeopardy! is available on smart TVs and offers a 7-day free trial to play all games on the app.

Bottom line

A group trivia showdown always makes my gatherings feel loud, clever, and alive. It turns simple questions into shared stories and transforms a regular evening into a highlight of the holiday.

3. Card & board games

What it does: Simple card and board games like Crazy Eights, Rummy, Uno, and Monopoly give everyone a familiar way to play together around the table.

Who it’s for: Any group that wants to include kids, teens, adults, and grandparents in the same activity without needing screens or apps.

In my family, board games are what we pull out when we want low‑key fun that still keeps everyone talking. Watching my kids learn a new game, then team up against us, is the kind of competitive “holiday” spirit we look for.

When we’re trying to find game night ideas without board games, we grab a deck of cards. They can be simple playing cards or something more like Uno. Games like these allow us to chat and snack while we play.

Key features

• Uses standard decks and simple boards, so most people already know or can quickly learn the basics.
• Completely screen‑free, which makes it easy to stay present and talk while you play.
• Works for mixed ages, since you can pick games with rules that match your group’s attention span.
• Fits naturally around food and conversation, so play doesn’t stop the holiday flow.

Pros

• Creates a nostalgic, cozy feel that reminds people of their own childhood game nights.
• Packs easily for travel, so you can bring one deck or box to grandparents’ houses or holiday trips.
• Gives grandparents an easy way to lead and teach, which helps them feel actively included.

Cons

• Popular games can start to feel repetitive if you always play the same ones.
• Someone usually needs to explain or enforce the rules, which can be tricky with tired kids or big groups.

Pricing

Many popular card decks and simple board games are common in retail stores or online for roughly the cost of a modest stocking‑stuffer gift. This makes them an affordable option for most families.

Bottom line

Classic card and board games make my holidays feel grounded and cozy. They slow everyone down just enough to talk, tease, and laugh together in a way that feels like the best kind of family tradition.

4. Holiday baking challenge

What it does: Turns your kitchen into a holiday “mini bake-off” with cookie decorating, recipe swaps, and friendly baking contests.

Who it’s for: Families who like hands-on, creative projects and want the reward of something sweet to share at the end.

Holiday baking is a highlight for us, where everyone claims a role. No matter if it’s mixing, rolling, or piling on too many sprinkles, there’s always a rivalry over who decorated the “best” cookie.

I love how quickly the house fills with the smell of something in the oven and the sound of everyone talking over each other. It feels like the kind of controlled chaos that only happens when we’re all home for the holidays.

Key features

• Works for all ages, since younger kids can decorate while older kids and adults handle the oven and measurements.
• Can be set up as a relaxed family project or as a full-on baking contest, depending on your group.
• Lets you experiment with old family recipes or try new ones you discover together.
• Doubles as a way to make gifts or treat plates for neighbors, friends, or extended family.

Pros

• Builds in a natural sense of fun and anticipation, because everyone knows they’ll taste the results together.
• Creates vivid, sensory memories that stick with you year after year.
• Makes it easy to adapt for allergies or dietary preferences by choosing recipes that fit your family.

Cons

• Almost guarantees a messy kitchen, which means you need to budget time and energy for cleanup.
• Requires planning for ingredients, oven space, and timing, which can be tricky in a crowded holiday schedule.

Pricing

The cost depends on your recipes and pantry. Most families can run a small baking challenge by buying a few basic ingredients and decorations on a budget.

Bottom line

A holiday baking challenge makes my family feel bustling, creative, and connected. By the time we’re sampling everyone’s creations, it feels less like we baked cookies and more like we built a shared memory.

5. Extended family get-together

What it does: Brings everyone together to share stories, play games, and reconnect in a relaxed family reunion setting.

Who it’s for: Families who want kids, teens, and adults to actually interact across generations instead of splitting off into separate rooms.

When my extended family gets together, we treat it like a mini family reunion. Grandparents tell favorite holiday stories, cousins jump in with their own memories, and someone inevitably pulls out “remember when you …” moments that have us all laughing.

Those nights make me feel rooted. I can see my kids starting to understand where they come from, not because we sat them down for a lecture, but because they heard real stories from the people who lived them.

Key features

• Works as an informal hangout or a more structured “story night” where older relatives share memories.
• Kids can prepare simple questions in advance (“What were holidays like when you were 10?”) to keep conversations flowing.
• You can mix in light games, photo albums, or old home videos to spark more stories.
• Fits easily around a shared meal or dessert, so it doesn’t feel forced.

Pros

• Deepens family bonds by giving everyone shared reference points and inside jokes.
• Produces one‑of‑a‑kind memories and stories that you can’t get anywhere else.

Cons

• Often needs a bit of structure or prompts, or the night can drift into small talk.
• Some stories can run long or drift off-topic, which may test younger kids’ attention.

Pricing

Aside from whatever you choose to spend on food or snacks, extended family story nights and gatherings are typically free to host. Transportation ramps this up a bit depending on who's hosting and who's traveling.

Bottom line

An extended family get-together makes my holidays feel bigger and more meaningful. When the crowd gathers in the same room and starts trading stories, it feels like a real family reunion instead of another typical dinner.

Which fun family holiday activity should you choose?

The fun family holiday activity I love most is playing games on my smart TV with the family using the Volley Games app. It's my top pick if you want instant group fun by getting the family together. The interactive play with trivia and music is perfect for all ages, and my family can't get enough of it.

Enjoy the holiday festivities with Volley Games

We invite you to make Volley part of your fun family holiday activities, so your get-togethers feel more like a live game show than another night on the couch. Don't rely on the old, dusty board games, when you can open a TV app full of party-ready hits for your next family gathering instead.

With an ever-expanding game library and voice-controlled play, Volley lets everyone around the TV enjoy their time. You get trivia, puzzles, and karaoke to bring your holidays to life.

A few family favorites include:

• Jeopardy!, the classic clue-and-question trivia showdown
• Wheel of Fortune, where you spin, guess letters, and solve word puzzles
• 20 Questions, to see how fast you can stump or outsmart the AI
• Guess the Emoji, a fast-paced visual puzzle game
• Karaoke, where you sing your heart out and see how your score stacks up

Jump in with a 7-day free trial, then decide if the $12.99/month subscription fits your family’s traditions. If you want your holiday activities to feel louder, sillier, and more connected, disconnect the console and start your next game night with Volley Games on your smart TV.

FAQs

What is the best fun family holiday activity for big groups?

The best fun family holiday activity for big groups, in my experience, is a Volley Games TV game night. Trivia, karaoke, and party games keep kids, teens, parents, and grandparents all playing together.

Can these activities include grandparents?

Yes, these activities can absolutely include grandparents. My favorite moments are when they lead card and board games, tell stories at our extended family get-togethers, or surprise everyone with a clutch answer in a group trivia showdown.

How do you keep kids and teens engaged?

The way I keep kids and teens engaged is by rotating different games inside the Volley Games app. Switching between trivia (Song Quiz), game shows (Wheel of Fortune), and Karaoke so every round feels fresh, and no one gets bored.

How can I find the Volley Games app on my smart TV?

You can find the Volley Games app on your smart TV (Roku, Fire TV, Samsung, LG) by first opening your TV’s app store. Then search for “Volley,” download the app, and launch it to gain access to a slew of games like Jeopardy! and Song Quiz right from your TV screen.

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