Small games we've packed and played on our own holidays. They fit in a stocking, get played on Christmas Day, and then earn their place in the suitcase for the next trip.
A good stocking filler game needs to be small, quick to learn on Christmas morning, and fun enough to be played again after the wrapping paper has gone. These all come from our own collection, and every one has been on holiday with us.
Dobble
A tin about 10 cm across, rules that take seconds to explain and games that last around five minutes. Adults and children are on a genuinely level playing field.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Barely bigger than a pack of cards and gloriously chaotic. A good one for a noisy Christmas afternoon.
Sushi Go!
Colourful, quick to teach and around 15 minutes per game, so it works well with mixed ages.
The Crew: Family Adventure
A cooperative adventure for three to five players, with character cards children love. Great from around 8, and our 13-year-old's favourite version of The Crew.
Hive Pocket
Comes in a small pouch with no board, so it slips easily into a stocking. Our favourite game for two, and it works on a plane too.
The Fox in the Forest
A 197 g box that slips easily into a stocking. A tactical card game made for two, and perfect for a couple or a parent and older child who love a bit of competition.
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
A small box with almost endless replay value: follow the mission book or set your own difficulty. We regularly play it for a couple of hours at a time.
Exploding Minions comes in a 15 × 21 cm box, which is a bit large for a stocking. Inside, though, it's essentially a pack of cards, so once the box is gone it's one of the easiest games to travel with.
Exploding Minions
Simple, family-friendly and best with more players. A good under-the-tree present rather than a stocking filler.
Dobble. It's small, quick to learn, works for almost any age and gets played long after Christmas.
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea. It looks like a simple card game but has enough depth to keep adults playing for hours.
Hive Pocket or The Fox in the Forest. Both are designed for two players: Hive Pocket packs into a small pouch, and The Fox in the Forest is a tactical card game in a 197 g box.
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