My family loves a serving of competition along with their pumpkin pie and gifts. Playing games with the whole family can break up the day and be a fun way to get everyone involved. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Chanukah, or Christmas, these family games (and one adult game) are ones I’ve enjoyed over the years. I picked games that are fun, easy to set up, and can be played by a variety of ages. Nobody hates reading directions more than me!

7 Christmas games that are fun and easy

1. Anomia, $25.17. Ages 7+.

We received this last Christmas and we had eight-year-olds beating their Aunts and Grandma. You shuffle the Anomia cards, deal them out to players, then each person takes a turn playing one card face up. If at any time there is a match on the table, the two players with the match have to name an item that belongs to the category listed on the other player’s card. So if my card says “toothpaste brands” and yours says “body parts,” you win if you say “Colgate” before I say “foot.”

2. Candyland, $13. Ages 3+

 

If you have young ones that want to act like big ones, there’s nothing like a REAL board game to make them feel grown up. For ages three and up. Good for tots who are learning to count and are learning their colors. It’s easy to simplify the rules to suit your child’s age or temperament.

3. Pictopica, $16. Ages 7+

Love Disney trivia? Test your knowledge of Mickey Mouse and the whole crew of Disney princesses and characters in this game with 1000 questions! Questions span movies, theme parks, and TV hits.

4. Apples to Apples, $19. Ages 12+

Families love this games because the more you know about the other players, the more likely you are to win! With 5 million games sold, Apples to Apples has become a classic. Also great because it gets kids reading. Just deal out cards to each player and take turns guessing how the dealer will respond to a statement. Kinda of hard to explain, but it’s really easy and fun to play.

5. Twister, $19. Ages 3+

Spread out the plastic Twister play mat, spin the needle, and enjoy the giggles! Just match your hands and legs to the colored circle called out – without falling over! Getting tangled up never felt so fun.

6. Gears, Gears, Gears! $24. Ages 3-11.

This 95-piece set has easy-to-assemble pieces that let children create moving critters, buildings, cars, and more! Gears, gears, gears! includes pillars, connectors and cranks so each time they play, they’ll create something totally unique. Note, manufacturer recommends ages 5-11, but Amazon recommends this toy for ages 3-7.

7. Cards Against Humanity, $25.

Like Apples to Apples but have an adult sense of humor? Cards Against Humanity is raunchy, obscene, and wildly funny. If you enjoy off-color humor, this is *definitely* the game for you. I’d recommend buying one or two of the expansion packs, which are $10 each.

 What is your favorite family game? Leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list!!!

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