A good holiday family game is quick to teach, works for mixed ages, copes with big or uneven groups and fits in a bag for the cottage. Here are card games that tick those boxes, from the classics to quick fillers and a Canadian pick, with ages, player counts and play time for each. Shopping for presents too? See our Christmas gift ideas for Canadians.
Quick comparison
Ages, player counts and play times come from each publisher's box or listing. Where a publisher doesn't list a play time, we say so.
| Game | Ages | Players | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNO | 7+ | 2–10 | Not listed | Big groups, younger players |
| Skip-Bo | 7+ | 2–6 | Not listed | A calmer game with some strategy |
| Phase 10 | 7+ | 2–6 | Not listed | Rummy fans |
| Dutch Blitz | 8+ | 2–4 (8 with expansion) | About 15 min | Fast, loud fun |
| Spot It! Classic | 6+ | 2–8 | Under 15 min | Small kids, quick fillers |
| Sushi Go! | 8+ | 2–5 | 15 min | Kids and adults, light strategy |
| Sushi Go Party! | 8+ | 2–8 | 30 min | Bigger tables |
| Exploding Kittens | 7+ | 2–5 | Under 15 min | Silly, quick rounds |
| Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | 8+ | 2–8 | 10 min | Silly, fast slapping game |
| Euchre | Varies | 4 (two teams) | Varies | A standard deck, grandparents teaching kids |
| Cribbage | Varies | 2 (variants for 3–4) | Varies | Two players with a crib board |
| Canada Code | 12+ | 2–6 | 20–40 min | Curious families, teens and adults |
| Canada Code Family Edition | 8+ | 2–8 | 20–40 min | Kids, parents and grandparents |
The list
UNO: biggest groups, youngest players
The colour-and-number matching game from Mattel is for ages 7 and up and takes 2 to 10 players. Most people already know the rules, which makes it an easy starter when the whole family arrives.
Skip-Bo or Phase 10: calm, a little strategy
Both come from the makers of UNO and are for 2 to 6 players aged 7 and up. In Skip-Bo you build piles of cards in number order. Phase 10 is a rummy-style game where you work through ten "phases" of sets and runs.
Dutch Blitz: fast and loud
Everyone plays at the same time, racing to empty their own pile. It's for ages 8 and up and 2 to 4 players, or up to 8 with an expansion pack. A game takes about 15 minutes.
Spot It! (Dobble): quick filler for small kids
Every pair of cards shares exactly one symbol, and the first to spot it wins the card. Spot It! Classic is for ages 6 and up and 2 to 8 players, and a game takes under 15 minutes.
Sushi Go! and Sushi Go Party!: card drafting for kids and adults
You pick one card from your hand and pass the rest along, collecting the best sushi combinations. Sushi Go! is for 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up and takes about 15 minutes. Sushi Go Party! takes up to 8 players and about 30 minutes.
Exploding Kittens or Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: silly and quick
Exploding Kittens is for 2 to 5 players aged 7 and up, with games under 15 minutes. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a slapping game for 2 to 8 players aged 8 and up that takes about 10 minutes.
Euchre and Cribbage: the Canadian classics
All you need is a standard deck of cards (and a crib board for cribbage). Euchre is played by four people in two teams. Cribbage is usually played by two. These are the games grandparents love to teach the kids over the holidays. Rummoli and Canadian salad are other family favourites worth digging out.
Canada Code: a Canadian-themed pick for curious families
Canada Code is a cozy card game about the people, places, pop culture and proud moments that make Canada home. It's for 2 to 6 players aged 12 and up, and a round takes 20 to 40 minutes. There are no screens, just conversation and laughs.
Every Canada Code comes with one free expansion pack. For a family table, choose the Family Edition, made for ages 8 and up and 2 to 8 players. The Naughty Edition is 18+, adults only, and not for the family table. See all packs in our expansion packs collection.
Canada Code
A cozy card game for curious Canadians · 420 cards · 2–6 players · ages 12+
C$75C$43.11 + tax
- 🎁 + 1 FREE Expansion Pack of your choice (C$32 value)
- 🚚 Free shipping across Canada from C$40
- ↩️ 100-day returns
How to choose a family card game
- Start with the youngest player. Check the age on the box. Spot It! starts at 6, UNO and Exploding Kittens at 7, and Canada Code at 12 (or 8 with the Family Edition).
- Count the players. For 8 or more people, look at UNO, Spot It!, Sushi Go Party!, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza or the Canada Code Family Edition.
- Think about the time you have. Quick fillers like Spot It! and Taco Cat take 10 to 15 minutes. Canada Code takes 20 to 40 minutes per round.
- Match the mood. Fast and loud (Dutch Blitz, Taco Cat), calm (Skip-Bo, Phase 10, cribbage) or chatty (Canada Code).
Ages and player counts for our games are also in our FAQ.
Holiday game-night ideas
- Christmas Eve: a quick filler while the last presents get wrapped.
- Boxing Day: everyone's still around, so bring out a longer game.
- New Year's Eve: a team game to count down to midnight with teens and adults.
- The cottage or cabin: small card games pack easily and need nothing to plug in.
- Family Day in February: save a new game for the long weekend.
Family card game FAQ
What's the best card game to play with the whole family at Christmas?
It depends on the youngest player and the size of the group. UNO and Spot It! work for younger kids and big groups. For teens and adults, Canada Code (12+) adds conversation about Canada, and its Family Edition is for ages 8 and up.
What card games can kids and adults play together?
Spot It!, UNO, Sushi Go!, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and the Canada Code Family Edition are all made for mixed ages. Check the minimum age on the box.
What are good card games for a big family gathering (8+ people)?
UNO takes up to 10 players. Spot It! Classic, Sushi Go Party!, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and the Canada Code Family Edition take up to 8.
What card games are popular in Canada?
Euchre and cribbage are classics played with a standard deck, along with games like Dutch Blitz, rummoli and Canadian salad.
What's a good card game for 12-year-olds and teens?
Canada Code is made for ages 12 and up, so teens can play alongside adults. Sushi Go! and Dutch Blitz are also good picks from age 8.
What games can we play at the cottage or cabin over the holidays?
Card games are ideal because they're small and need no power. Pack a standard deck for euchre or cribbage, plus a quick filler and a longer game like Canada Code.
What are good games for Boxing Day or New Year's Eve with family?
Pick something everyone can join. A longer conversation game like Canada Code suits a relaxed Boxing Day. A fast team game like Dutch Blitz or Taco Cat gets energy up before midnight.
How do I choose a family card game for mixed ages?
Start with the youngest player's age, then the number of players, then how much time you have. If younger kids are playing, choose a game rated for their age, like Spot It! (6+) or the Canada Code Family Edition (8+).
Make it a gift
Looking for something to put under the tree? Canada Code comes with a free expansion pack and free shipping across Canada from C$40. See our Christmas gift ideas for Canadians for more, or check our Christmas Delivery 2026 page for when to order.