Build a cabin in your mind
An imagining game where players talk out loud, describing a dream cabin or house. It’s best for a small group of players and is ideal for playing on long car rides.
Monkey in the middle
Monkey in the middle is a throwing and catching game for a small group. Players try to keep the ball away from one player, the “monkey.”
Speed Scrabble
This is a variant of Scrabble that’s a lot faster, which I’m a fan of. You only need the Scrabble letter tiles, and it’s ideal for a small group.
Christmas gift pass
This is a Christmas gift exchange activity, using the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and the words “right” and “left” to instruct children to pass their gifts to the right or the left. It’s kind of like a white elephant gift exchange, but for younger kids because it’s easier and faster and, because there’s no actual choosing involved, will probably lead to less gift-picker remorse.
This or that
This or that is a simple talking game where players choose which of two items they prefer. It’s best for a small group, maybe even two players only. And you don’t need anything! It’s a great getting-to-know you game.