Bobbing for Candy Canes
Bobbing for Candy Canes is a hilarious and easy Christmas party game that brings out everyone’s competitive side. Set it up for your next holiday gathering and enjoy a few rounds while snacking on Santa Munch Christmas Popcorn.
This candy cane hook game has just a few simple supplies. You’ll have guests racing to snag as many as they can! It’s quick to set up, mess-free, and perfect for family get-togethers, classroom parties, or festive office fun.
When I suggested to my family that we play this Bobbing for Candy Canes game, they hemmed and hawed about it. Once we started, they couldn’t get enough of the game. There was laughter all around and bets being made as to who would get the most.
I served this Easy Santa Charcuterie Board for Christmas snacking, and I made my Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe for us to sip on while we play several rounds of the game. It was the perfect way to spend the evening,
Bobbing for Candy Canes
The holiday season is the perfect time to gather with friends and family, and what better way to celebrate than with a spirited and silly game? The Bobbing for Candy Canes Christmas party game is a great activity for the entire family. Family fun, inexpensive, and so much fun!
Forget the messy classic of bobbing for apples; this modern Christmas version uses festive candy canes and is guaranteed to have your guests chuckling from start to finish. It’s an ideal choice for a variety of holiday events, from school parties and church gatherings to a casual Christmas Eve get-together with the family.
background music from YouTube Studio – Jingle Bells (instrumental) by Jungle Punks
Tips for Hosting this Game
You can easily modify the game to suit the ages of your players or the size of your gathering. Try these simple tips and variations to customize the fun.
- Play upbeat Christmas music while the timer runs for extra festive energy.
- Let guests play in teams or create a holiday tournament for larger parties.
- Use colorful candy canes or themed bowls to match your decor.
- For younger children, you can increase the timer from 30 seconds to a full minute. For competitive adults, you can shorten it to just 15 seconds for a fast, furious challenge.
- If you would like, have a small prize for the one who collects the most. This could be a gift card, a silly holiday trophy, or a small wrapped mystery gift.
This easy and inexpensive game is perfect for adding extra joy to your Christmas celebration. It may even become a tradition!
More Holiday Ideas to Keep the Festivities Going
Planning a Christmas get-together often means more than just games; it’s also about thoughtful gifts, festive treats, and sharing holiday cheer. Check out these holiday gift ideas and homemade presents your guests will love.
- Holiday Cookie Mix Gift Sack with Printable Gift Tags
- DIY Festive Christmas Candy Jar
- Christmas Gift Ideas for the Foodies in Your Life
- Christmas Muddy Buddies Recipe
- Holiday Gift Guide of Cookbooks Written by Your Favorite Food Bloggers
Frequently Asked Questions
The game is suitable for nearly all ages, but it is important to supervise young children as the peppermint treat is held in the mouth during play. Older children, teens, and adults will all enjoy the fun challenge equally.
The best part is that it is completely mess-free! Just be sure to keep the sweets wrapped while playing.
What You Need to Play Bobbing for Candy Canes
Everything you need to play, you probably have. You can purchase the candy canes at your local stores or online.
- Candy Canes – we used about 4 boxes of 12 in each package.
- Table
- Bowls
- Timer
Fruit Flavored Candy Canes, Christmas 2025 Stocking Stuffers, Individually Wrapped, 24 Pieces
Candy Cane Peppermint Green, Red & White Gift Set | 12 Pieces in Each Box – Pack of 3 – 36 Total Count | Individually Wrapped | Includes To & From Gift Tags (Green)Candy Cane Peppermint Red, Green, White & Rainbow Cherry Gift Set | 12 Pieces in Each Box – Pack of 3-36 Total Count | Individually Wrapped | Includes To & From Gift Tags (3 Flavors)
How Do You Play Bobbing for Candy Canes?
Get ready to watch your guests use their best hook-and-snag techniques and create some truly unforgettable holiday memories.
Time needed: 30 minutes
The length to play the game is up to you. We played several times before stopping.
- Prepare to play
First to note is that you need to keep the candy wrapped. Spread them out on the table.
- Game Play
Two players at a time will try to pick up candy canes using the “hook” of the sweet treat. Hold the end in your mouth, with the curved part out. Hands are to be behind your back. Give each person a bowl to collect their goodies.
- Timer and How to Win
Set a timer for a designated time (we used 30 seconds) and see who can snag the most canes in the specified amount of time to win the game. If you would like, have a small prize for the one who collects the most.
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/Add a touch of playful holiday spirit to your gathering with this festive challenge. It’s the perfect activity to keep guests entertained while enjoying the season’s sweet traditions. A simple game like this brings families together, spreading joy and creating cheerful memories that last well beyond the holidays.
Enjoy!
My grandkids love this game! I’ll have to make sure I add it to my list of must-play games during the holiday season.
How fun is this! I’m definitely adding your candy cane game to my list of must-play games this holiday season!
Oh my goodness! That looks like fun!!
Fun! I can just see my family playing this and laughing and having a great time. Thanks for the idea.
On my gosh, Lisa! I’ve never heard of this before! The kids will love this. Pinned!
Haha! This one looks like loads of fun.
This candy cane game sounds so much fun! I love the festive twist on bobbing for apples. Can’t wait to try it at our holiday party this year!
You’ll have a blast playing the game!
This Bobbing for Candy Canes game sounds like such a fun twist on a classic party activity! I love the idea of incorporating something sweet for the holidays. Can’t wait to try it at my Christmas party this year!
What a fun and festive twist on a classic game! I can’t wait to try bobbing for candy canes at our holiday gathering. Thanks for sharing this delightful idea!