The Joy of Holiday Dice GamesWhen the winter wind howls outside and the Christmas feast is cleared away, there is a natural desire to keep the festive energy alive. While heavy board games require long setups and digital screens isolate family members, dice games offer the perfect antidote. They are portable, easy to teach, and packed with high-stakes moments that get everyone laughing. All you need is a handful of dice, a cup to shake them in, and a few simple rules to transform your living room into a hub of holiday excitement. Here are five fantastic dice games to bring your family together this Christmas.
1. Left, Center, Right (LCR)Left, Center, Right is a fast-paced game that works beautifully for large holiday gatherings. While you can buy commercial sets, you can easily play with standard six-sided dice. Each player starts with three tokens, which can be shiny pennies, wrapped Christmas candies, or holiday cookies. Players take turns rolling three dice. For every 1 rolled, pass a token to the left. For every 2, pass a token to the right. A 3 means placing a token into the center pot. Rolling a 4, 5, or 6 allows you to keep your tokens.As the game progresses, players will find themselves completely out of tokens, yet they are never truly eliminated. A lucky roll by a neighbor can pass a token right back to them, bringing them instantly back into the game. The tension peaks when only one person has tokens left, making them the winner of the entire center pot of holiday treats.
2. BuncoBunco is a high-energy game traditionally played in large groups, making it ideal for a bustling Christmas party. The game is played in six rounds, utilizing three dice per active table. In round one, players take turns rolling the dice, attempting to get as many 1s as possible. Each 1 scores a point, and the player keeps rolling until they fail to roll a 1. Round two shifts the target to 2s, round three to 3s, and so on, up to round six.The ultimate excitement happens when a player rolls three-of-a-kind of the current round’s number. This rare feat is called a “Bunco” and earns a massive bonus. Because players constantly rotate tables and switch partners between rounds, Bunco serves as a brilliant icebreaker for extended family members or neighbors who might not see each other often during the rest of the year.
3. Ship, Captain, and CrewIf your family enjoys games with a nautical theme and a bit of casual strategy, Ship, Captain, and Crew is a delightful choice. Each player gets up to three rolls of five dice on their turn to assemble their seafaring vessel. To score any points at all, a player must first roll a 6, which represents the ship. Next, they need a 5, which represents the captain. Finally, they need a 4, which represents the crew. These three specific numbers must be rolled in descending order or simultaneously.Once the ship, captain, and crew are successfully secured, the remaining two dice represent the “cargo.” The sum of these two cargo dice determines the player’s score for the round. If a player rolls the 6, 5, and 4 on their very first roll, they can use their remaining two rolls to try and maximize their cargo score. The player with the highest cargo weight at the end of the round wins.
4. FarkleFarkle is a classic game of risk and reward that perfectly captures the playful competitive spirit of the holidays. Using six dice, players roll to accumulate points based on specific combinations, such as three-of-a-kind, straights, or single 1s and 5s. After every roll, the player must set aside at least one scoring die. They can then choose to pocket their current points and end their turn, or roll the remaining dice to chase even more points.The danger lies in rolling the remaining dice and failing to score any points at all. This catastrophic result is called a “Farkle,” and it wipes out all points accumulated during that specific turn. The game creates hilarious moments of group pressure, as family members encourage the current roller to push their luck just one step too far.
5. Going to BostonGoing to Boston is an excellent game for younger children because it reinforces basic addition skills while keeping gameplay quick and engaging. Each player uses three dice. On a turn, the player rolls all three dice and sets aside the highest number. They then roll the remaining two dice and again keep the highest one. Finally, they roll the last single die. The total score for the turn is the sum of all three kept dice.The game moves incredibly fast, ensuring that little ones never lose interest waiting for their turn. To add a festive twist, you can rename the game “Going to the North Pole” and use a tracking sheet decorated with drawing of reindeer or Christmas trees to tally up the final scores over several rounds.
Gathering around the table to roll dice provides a beautiful pause in the chaotic holiday schedule. These games require minimal explanation, meaning grandparents and toddlers can compete on a completely level playing field. This Christmas, clear a space on the table, grab a few dice, and enjoy the simple, timeless pleasure of friendly competition and shared laughter.
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