When you’re short on time this Christmas you need easy, fast, fun games to play. We know that with the holidays just around the corner, many families find it hard to spend good quality time together much less time for a whole game night. It might, however, be just what you’re over-taxed family needs. Games help us relax, bond and make great memories.
So, how can you have a game night when you only have 15, 10 or even just 5 minutes? The answer is picking the right game—an easy, fast, fun game.
And we have just ones! We have pulled together a list of some of the best games that take only minutes to play or can be modified easily to be short. Many of the games can have a holiday twist to make them even more fun at Christmas.
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Easy, Fast Fun Games – Card Games
Blink
Deemed to be the fastest game in the world, the card game Blink is the best game to play when you only have a minute. In fact, it often takes longer to set up than it does to play. You can be done playing with everything back in the box in under 5 minutes. It’s a fast furry of card matching. You can learn to play and read the review of Blink here. You can get your copy of Blink here; Canadians here.
Spot It
Spot It is one of our family’s favorite games. It is so much fun you won’t want to keep an eye on the clock—and with the average game under 5 minutes you won’t have to. It’s also a speed matching game. You can read all about Spot It here. You can get your copy of Spot It here; Canadians here.
Ratuki
This card slapping game comes in around the 5 minute mark for one round. Ratuki is easy, fast and fun for the whole family. Once more, it is a speed matching game with a twist. If you have more than 5 minutes, say 10 or 15 minutes, you can manage a whole game or play to a certain number of points or rounds. For more on Ratuki, read the review. To get your copy, shop here; Canadians here– update: this seems to be unavailable on Amazon.
Santa UNO
The classic Uno game gets a refresh in time for Christmas. Play as you normally would Uno with some fun, easy holiday twists like saying Ho Ho Ho when you play a zero. Perfect for Christmas and when you only have five minutes! Get the rules and a free printable cheat sheet for Santa Uno here.
Love Letter
With players having only one card in their hand, it’s no wonder this game plays quickly. A Love Letter round can be over in 30 seconds but can last for two minutes, it all depends on what cards you have and what you choose to do with them. A whole game takes around 15 minutes, however, we often play single rounds. If you haven’t heard of this brilliant game before head over to the Love Letter review and see what makes it so special. To get your copy of Love Letter shop here; Canadians here.
Playing Card Games
For these next fast games, all you’ll need is a deck of cards and maybe a scoresheet.
Crazy 8s
The classic game of Crazy 8s is perfect for a small time window. Forgot how to play? Get the rules for classic Crazy 8s here. We also have a Christmas Crazy Eights variation of the class game that will you in stiches, check it out here.
Spoons
For this speedy card game you will need the deck of cards, the score sheet and some spoons. A single round of the card game Spoons can take be over in the blink of an eye. Play one round where there is one non-winner for a super speed game. Or play elimination style where you’re out of the game if you don’t get a spoon. Play until there are just two players left and switch to a Snap variation to find the winner. To add a holiday spin on Spoons, instead of playing with spoons, play with candy canes instead. You can learn all the ways to play Spoons here.
31
This card game takes less than 5 minutes to play a round. A whole game can take only 15 minutes. Do you wait to get 31 or take a risk and knock early? 31 can also be made more fun for the holidays by bidding with candy canes or other holiday candies. You can read the full 31 Rules here.
99
Face paced and done in a flash, 99 is the prefect game for when you only have a few minutes. To shorten it even more, hand out less chips, play elimination style or only play one round. To make it more festive, play with candy instead of poker chips. Find all the 99 rules here.
Easy, Fast Fun Games – Dice Games
Santa’s Sleigh Dice
What dice game could be more perfect for an easy, fast fun Christmas game? Roll the dice to get a Santa, an elf and a sleigh and then collect presents. Need a shorter game? Either shorten the amount of present points you need or just play a single round. Learn how to play this Christmas dice game here.
Grinch
Who is the biggest Grinch? Find out in this easy, fast dice game with a Christmas theme. Will you stop and take the points or be greedy and keep going? Learn how to play this Family Game Shelf original dice game here.
Going to Boston
This easy, fast, fun dice game can be changed to Going to the North Pole. Players try to be the first player to roll their way to Boston – or the North Pole. Get the Going to Boston rules here. You can get a free score sheet in the Fun Library. You can get your password in the black box below.
Pig
Pig is easy, fun and short. Choose to stop and take your points or keep rolling- but watch out, if you roll a 1 you lose everything. Find out how to play the dice game Pig here.
Run For It
Players try to get as many runs as they can in this easy, fast, fun game. Learn how to play Run For It here.
Everest
This game is over when one player successfully marks off all their numbers. Get the Everest Rules here and the score sheet in the Fun Library.
Fifty
With all players rolling at the same time, Fifty can be over in less than 30 seconds. It’s frantic, crazy, easy, fun and prefect for small time windows. Learn how to play teen-favorite Fifty here.
LCR
Left, Center, Right is a quick game that is done and over with in about 5 minutes. It might be the easiest game on the list. Roll the dice and either pass left, pass right or put one in the center. For a holiday twist, play with cadies instead of chips. To learn how to play this incredibly easy, fast, fun game, read the LCR review here. To get your copy of LCR shop here; Canadians here.
Easy, Fast Fun Games – Board Games
Scattergories
This is another family favorite of ours. A round takes about 5 minutes (depending on how many players there are and how argumentative they are.) Even more prefect is out Christmas Scattergories sheets that you can get in out Fun Library.
5 Second Rule
With each person’s turn only taking 5 seconds, this easy, fast fun game is perfect. You have only 5 seconds to name three items that match the category. Need a faster game? Play for three cards. You can read the full 5 Second Rule review here. You can also play our 5 Seconds of Christmas with all Christmas themed cards. You can get your copy in the Family Game Shelf Shop here.
Apples to Apples
Another one of our favorites is Apples to Apples. This game is great for laughs and debates. With a playing time of around 15 minutes, it makes a great easy, fast, fun game for when you have little time. Need a smaller play time? Play until someone wins just three cards. You can read about Apples to Apples Junior here and Apples to Apples the Party Box here. And you get your own copy, shop here; Canadians here.
Time is Precious
Time is precious and these fast, easy games will make your holidays special even if you only a have a few minutes to play. Enjoy the holidays and each other.
And if you’re looking for a few good stocking stuffers check out our post on the best game stocking stuffers. If you’re looking for more holiday games, check out our Big List of Christmas games. And be sure to visit out Family Game Shelf shop for tons of fun with seasonal games like our Whacky Putt Christmas edition.
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