Stocking Stuffer Games and Activities for Families

Year after year, the Stocking Stuffer guide is one of my favorites to put together! Truly, the best things do come in small packages. This guide is full of gifts that are both small in size and easy on the wallet, perfect for slipping into stockings or giving as little surprises that bring a big smile.

From our family’s favorite card games to clever accessories and creative extras, here’s what we’re loving this year

Tried and True Classic Stocking Stuffers

Classic and always giftable games ready to make any stocking feel special with years of game night fun inside.

Beautiful Playing Cards

A new deck of cards in a fun print and style is my favorite stocking stuffer! The Bicycle Home for the Holidays deck adds a touch of nostalgia and warmth to any card game night. Or snag a pack of cards and divide them out between your stockings! This Nertz set gets you 8 decks in different colors and has a nice storage box. Find more of our favorite playing cards in this list.

Grandpa Beck’s Games

Every Grandpa Beck’s title is a guaranteed hit in our house. Their newest release, Woah There Cowboy is a fun twist on the classic game BS. You can’t go wrong with any of their games! My two favorites to gift are: Skull King and Cover Your Assets

Spot It! (and its many versions)

A modern classic for all ages. Spot It! packs endless replayability and dozens of themed versions to match any interest or holiday.

Bluey Spot it | Lord of the Rings Spot it | Spot it Junior | Marvel Spot it |

Qwixx

Simple rules, addictive gameplay. Qwixx is a fast dice game that’s easy to learn but hard to stop playing—an instant family favorite.

Take 5

A classic for a reason! Take 5 is an easy-to-learn game of numbers and bluffing that works beautifully for families and mixed-age groups.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

One of the silliest, most chaotic party games ever. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza always ends in laughter—and maybe a few sore hands! Or pick up the Christmas edition!

No Thanks!

A quick, clever card game of risk and restraint. Easy to teach and endlessly replayable, No Thanks is perfect for when you want something light but strategic.

Tapple Mini

Fast-paced, shout-it-out word fun in a travel-ready size. Tapple Mini is a perfect grab-and-go game for family trips or waiting at restaurants.

Quick & Fun Card or Dice Games

Fast, lighthearted, and full of laughter — perfect for any family gathering.

Flip 7

The king of affordable stocking stuffers this year! Fast, black jack style game play perfect for a wide age range of players. Push your luck fun that gets every group excited and having a great time.

Flip 7: Grinch Edition

Add a little holiday mischief to game night with the Grinch Edition of Flip 7! Same quick-paced fun, but with a festive twist that’s perfect for Christmas gatherings. (The game is the same, just a fun theme for Christmas!)

Bing Bang Boom

Musical chairs with cards! Players are trying to place their cards on the firework spaces first. There’s more cards than there are firework spaces; if you don’t place yours quickly enough, you’re left with the dud! Great for tweens and teens.

UNO Golf

A fun twist on the classic card game. Uno Golf combines the fun elements of UNO to make Golf even more fun!

I know…you don’t

Figure out the secret rule by placing cards into a sequence. Only cards that follow the secret rule can stay. Be the first one to get rid of all your cards.

Super Meow

Learn the basics of deck building with this cute kids game! One of our favorites for the year and the perfect size to slip into a stocking.

Sausage Sizzle

Sausage Sizzle is fast, silly, and perfect for families who like a good laugh around the table.

Circus Flohcati

A zany, colorful classic by Reiner Knizia! Circus Flohcati is fast-paced, press-your-luck fun that plays great with families or kids.

Pixies

With its whimsical art and welcoming gameplay, Pixies feels magical, lighthearted, with just the right amount of strategic thinking required to win.

Duck and Cover

Combines the fun of Bingo and cards in a simple and endlessly replayable game that’s great for both kids and adult groups.

DroPolter

Try to drop objects from your hand quickly to grab the ghost. It’s an easy dexterity game to learn, but surprisingly hard to succeed at while playing!

Snailed It

Fast, funny, and family-friendly. Based on the card game Cabanga, Snailed It is great for an easy card game for both young and old!

Clever & Compact Strategy Games

For players who like a little more thought in their fun — but still short enough for game night.

Odin

Odin feels modern and thoughtful—a great pick for those who love clean design and clever card play.

Solstis

A beautiful two-player path building game sees you trying to collect the cards you need before your opponent drafts them into their tableau. Solstis feels calm and clever, ideal for quiet evenings with a cozy drink and a snack.

Duel for Cardia

Players have the same deck of 16 cards with unique powers. Choose one at a time to duel your opponent. Each time you win you get one step closer to winning the game, but your power does not activate. If you lose you activate your power to sometimes extremely powerful effect. A game of strategy and timing perfect for teen boys. (And adults!)

Happy Camper Games

Playful, travel-sized, and surprisingly strategic. Happy Camper’s titles like Trio and Jungo are perfect to toss in a bag for vacation or a quick round at home.

Similo Cooperative Family Game Sets

An adorably illustrated deduction game that’s quick, smart, and endlessly replayable. Similo comes in fun themes—animals, myths, popular characters and more—so there’s something for everyone. Mix and match your favorite sets!

Unlock! Short Adventures

Escape-room style puzzles in a bite-sized format!

Solo & Quiet-Time Picks

Screen-free moments for calm focus and a little me-time.

Grove

A relaxing solo puzzle where you plant the perfect orchard. Grove is peaceful, portable, and a lovely little mental break in game form.

A Gentle Rain

One of my very favorite solo games. Comes in a travel friendly box perfect for adding to your bag and taking with you on your travels. Great for relaxing and fun for all ages.

Kanoodle

A pocket-sized brain teaser that’s oddly satisfying to solve. Kanoodle makes a great solo challenge for kids or adults.

Merry Murdle Logic Puzzle Book

A cozy whodunit puzzle adventure told in daily bite-sized mysteries. Merry Murdle makes a wonderful holiday gift for anyone who loves logic and storytelling. It also doubles as a solo advent calendar!

Cluedle

A cute puzzle book series great for younger kids around age 8.

Practical Game Accessories

Smart little upgrades that make game night smoother — and prettier!

Dotted Journal

Keep score, jot ideas, and play paper and pencil games. A dotted journal is my go-to for easily drawing grids, lines, and keeping everything in order.

Quality Pens

You can never go wrong with a quality pen and I absolutely love these for every day use. I love a set so I can split them up between various gifts.

Set of Card Holders

Ideal for little hands or marathon card sessions. These card holders make playing easier and more comfortable for everyone at the table.

Valet Tray for Rolling Dice

Stylish, satisfying, and functional. A valet tray keeps dice contained and your table scratch-free, plus it folds flat for easy storage!

Set of 100 Dice in a Drawstring Bag

Never run out of dice again! This colorful 100-piece set works for dozens of games and comes in a handy drawstring pouch for easy storage.

Metal Coins

Upgrade your favorite games with the satisfying clink of metal coins. They add instant aura and make every win feel just a bit more epic.

Cozy Family Favorites

I love having a few hands-on, creative activities tucked into stockings. These aren’t games, but they carry that same cozy, connected feeling — something relaxing to do at the kitchen table after a long day or on a slow holiday morning.

3D Sticker Scenes

I’ve bought these sets again and again. The miniature scenes are so fun to bring to life. My kids will sit and complete them while listening to an audiobook and it’s the stuff blissful afternoons are made of. You can get them in a spiral book or in individual packets for each room.

Foldology Origami Puzzles

These are addictingly fun! Fold the paper so that the image comes together. They start easy and then get tricky. I pop them in my purse for travel and restaurants and you can frequently find a kid trying one around our house during quiet times.
Foldology 1 | Foldology 2