The holidays are a busy time of year for most families but this shouldn’t mean that our bonding/game time should come to an end. Often kids need to de-stress and need an outlet for all the feelings that come with the holidays—the excitement, the anxious worries, the pent-up energy. Bringing dice games to the table during the holidays is a perfect way to connect and give kids the outlet that they need. We’ve put together a list of fun, easy games that can be played at the table during the holidays.
Why Dice Games at the Table?
Dice games are the perfect table companion. First, dice are washable. If something gets spilt on them it’s no big deal. Plus if you have younger kids with messy hands, you won’t mind them touching them. You can even let everyone have their own set. Better yet, giving everyone their own set in their favorite colour adds more fun to the games.
Second, dice games are usually quick and can be played in rounds. This means that the end of a game can co-inside with the end of meal time.
Next, most games need nothing else but the dice and maybe a score sheet. They are easy to set up and put away.
Best of all, most dice games are great for players of all ages, taking away some of the tension between older/younger sibling issues.
1 Die Games
Pig
Pig is the ultimate risk game. You can choose to stop and take your points or keep rolling. Roll a 1 and you lose all your points for that round. With just one die and a score sheet, Pig makes an easy game to play during super. You can get the full Pig rules here.
2 Dice Dinner Games
Grinch Dice
Nothing’s more perfect for supper during the holidays than our Grinch Dice game. Players roll one or two dice, depending on the roll before and decide to stop or keep going and take more Grinch points. Fun, easy and Grinchy all at the same time. You can learn how to play here.
Ants
How more perfect can a dice game be than Ants? Work as a team to stop the Ants from carrying away all the food, or super, away. Learn how to play this Family Game Shelf original game here.
Passage
Passage might be the easiest game on this list. To start, someone rolls a die to get the “It” number. Next, players try to roll the “It” number. One point is earned for each “It”. See the Passage rules here.
Knock Out
Played with two dice and ten rounds, Knock Out is the game where 7s are unlucky and knock out any score you have. Learn how to play here.
3 Dice Dinner Games
Beat That
Beat That: the game that challenges players against each other. Play round robin style or have everyone try to beat the first player’s roll. See the different ways to play this easy game here.
Everest
The Everest game does need a score sheet for every player (you can get your free in the recourse library) however, a simple piece of paper with the numbers 1 to 12 and then 12 to 1 on it will work. Next, players try to be the first player to cross off all of their numbers. You can read the full instructions here.
Going to Boston
In this easy game, players roll three times—keeping the best die each time—to get their score. There are many ways to play, to see them click here to read the full post.
Ohio
Ohio is our most favorite dinner dice game. It does need a game board (you can get yours in the resource library). The board has the numbers 1 to 12 on it. Plyers roll three dice to move up the Ohio ladder, stopping when they don’t roll the sum of the ladder step they need next. Read the rules for Ohio here.
LCR
Left, Center, Right is a commercial game that has special dice and chips. It is worth the extra effort as players receive and give away their chip, trying to be the last player with a chip. You can read the full LCR review here.
5 Dice Dinner Games
Santa’s Sleigh
Another perfect game for dinner during the holidays is Santa’s Sleigh. Players need to roll a Santa, an elf and a sled before they collect present points. This is a Family Game Shelf original game and one that will you asking to play again and again. Learn how to play here.
Stuck in the Mud
This is another one of our family favorites. Players roll five dice and score points but only if there are no dice that are stuck in the mud. It’s a fun, easy and additive game that’s great for dinner time. Read all the rules here.
Three or More
In this game you have to have Three or More of the same number to score points. Best part is there is no adding of dice—great for younger kids. You can learn how to play this easy dinner dice game here.
Zebra Races
Zebra Races is another Family Game Shelf original game. Although you don’t need it, you can get the printable game board in the resource library. Players have to roll certain rolls to move their zebra towards the finish line. Don’t worry, the rolls are not very hard to understand and it’s easy enough to play at the dinner table. You can learn how to play here.
6 Dice Dinner Games
Run For It
In this dinner dice game, players try to make the longest run that they can with six dice and three turns. For the full Run For It rules, click here.
Dinner Time Will Never be the Same
The holiday season will be brighter and merrier when you play any of these fun dice games at the dinner table. And if you’re looking to make your dinner time even more festive, you can get your copy of our Reindeer Dice Games in our Family Game Shelf Shop.
The Reindeer Dice Games is a collection of 11 easy and fun dice games. Each game comes on its own card, perfect for the dinner table or for giving in a gift bag.
Go ahead, destress a little, throw some dice and make some great family memories this holiday season.
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