The holidays are a special time for people of all ages to connect, share meals, exchange gifts, and have fun together. But sometimes, after presents are opened, family gatherings can lose steam and become a little dull. Luckily, there are lots of ways to boost the energy and excitement – especially by playing games! The right games can instantly improve the mood and get everyone involved, regardless of age or interests.
Finding a game that everyone will enjoy at family gatherings – with kids, grandparents, and everyone in between – can be tough. Luckily, there are plenty of great options that only need a TV and some smartphones to play. These games vary – some get you moving, while others are more about thinking and strategy – but they’re all sure to provide hours of fun and laughter at your holiday gatherings.
Codenames
Testing Friendships And Creating New Bonds
- Take turns giving clues to uncover colored squares.
- Out-of-the-box thinking is needed in every round.
Codenames is a quick and fun party game that’s easy to set up – it takes about 30 seconds! Players divide into two teams, and each team chooses a spymaster who gives one-word clues, and operatives who try to guess their team’s secret words. The goal is to identify all of your team’s words on the grid before the opposing team does.
The game is simple to learn, making it accessible to almost anyone with a smartphone. As players become more experienced and learn how others think, they develop clever strategies – sometimes a single clue can reveal a large portion of the board! Beyond the main game, there’s a duet mode for cooperative play, perfect for those who prefer teamwork. If you want even more variety, you can add expansion packs or even create your own custom word lists for a funnier experience.
Heads Up!
The Next Evolution Of Charades
- Trivia on everything from celebrities to TV shows.
- Works best in larger groups.
Heads Up! is a fun and popular mobile game that quickly became a hit with players worldwide. It’s similar to the classic game of Charades, where one person holds a phone on their forehead and others shout out clues to help them guess the word displayed. The word changes after each correct guess or pass, and the game continues until time runs out. A round can go really well with lots of correct answers, or be more challenging! Like Charades, you can’t spell out the word or say it directly, so teams need to be creative with their clues, acting things out or finding clever ways to hint at the answer.
This game is easy for anyone to pick up and play – there’s no real skill needed to get started. Players can choose categories they know well, giving everyone a fair shot at winning. It’s perfect for all ages, letting kids and adults play together and switch between guessing and giving clues, so everyone understands what each role takes. Expect lots of laughter – and maybe a few excited shouts – as the game creates fun, lighthearted chaos at any get-together.
Shoutrageous!
Yelling Becomes A Necessity
- Calling out answers is the whole point.
- Accessible for all ages.
Shoutrageous! transforms classic trivia into a fast-paced, energetic game of knowledge and quick thinking. All you need to play is to divide into teams, and the fun begins right away. Players are given a category – anything from TV and music to everyday household items – and then race against the clock to shout out 10 correct answers. Each correct answer earns points, adding a competitive edge to the familiar trivia format. With a wide range of categories, anyone can join in and have fun, even if they aren’t experts in areas like science, 80s pop culture, or sports.
This game is ideal for groups because it’s so accessible – anyone can jump right in and play. Teams can be any size, from two or three people to five or more, and the more players you have, the more lively and unpredictable the game becomes. Best of all, there’s no setup or complicated explanation needed, so you can start having fun immediately and avoid any awkward downtime.
Just Dance Now
Time To Get Up And Move
- Provides a huge library of songs to choose from.
- Play with nothing but a smartphone and a TV.
Everyone knows Just Dance, and Just Dance Now makes it even easier to play! You don’t need a game console or computer – just use a TV or laptop, connect your phone or tablet, and enjoy the same fun gameplay. With a huge selection of songs, from old favorites to today’s hits, you can have a blast even if you don’t know the dance moves – just get up and move!
Honestly, this game is so easy to pick up, you’ll see people just lost in the music for hours! The only thing that really stops them is getting tired. But the best part is, it doesn’t matter if you’re a super energetic dancer or more of a beginner – there are tons of songs and difficulty levels. If you’ve got the energy and a bit of rhythm, you can really show off, but even if you’re not super coordinated, you can still find easier songs that are perfect for you and have a blast!
The Jackbox Party Pack
The Group Game Classic
- Comedic games for everyone to enjoy.
- No skill or trivia required; just drawing and writing.
The original Jackbox Party Pack is a guaranteed hit with groups! It launched a popular series of bundles, and features a collection of funny, unique games. For example, Drawful is a goofy take on Pictionary, and Fibbage challenges you to trick others with made-up answers. These are just two of the five games included, and they’re all equally fun for everyone.
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Okay, so you only need one copy of this game for the whole family to play, which is awesome! Seriously, within minutes of opening it on Christmas (or any gift-giving occasion!), we were all making up ridiculous sentences and drawing goofy pictures. And if we got tired of one game, there are tons of other packs you can swap in, each with new challenges and a fresh take on the fun. The best part? It’s SO easy to learn. The narrator walks you through everything, and honestly, anyone can pick it up and start laughing – and we were! A lot of the funniest moments came from just a few words or a silly interaction with someone else during the game.
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2025-12-21 11:05