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Family White Elephant Gift Ideas

For a family White Elephant, pick gifts that work for anyone from age 8 to 80: a family board game, a cozy blanket, a cookie decorating kit, a jigsaw puzzle, a s’mores kit or a big bag of candy. Avoid anything only one age group would enjoy.

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Family games mix ages, so the best gifts are ones a grandparent and a teenager would both fight for. Games, food and cozy things are reliable.

Playing with lots of kids? The left-right story game avoids stealing entirely.

The 30 ideas

  1. $20–30

    Family board game

    Gets played all through the holidays.

    Search on Amazon for Family board game (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  2. $20–30

    Cozy sherpa blanket

    Grandma and the kids will fight over it.

    Search on Amazon for Cozy sherpa blanket (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  3. $10–20

    Cookie decorating kit

    An afternoon activity.

    Search on Amazon for Cookie decorating kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  4. $10–20

    Jigsaw puzzle (500 pieces)

    Something to do together.

    Search on Amazon for Jigsaw puzzle (500 pieces) (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  5. $10–20

    S'mores kit

    Dessert and fun in one.

    Search on Amazon for S'mores kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  6. $20–30

    Big tin of popcorn

    Movie night for everyone.

    Search on Amazon for Big tin of popcorn (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  7. $10–20

    Card game for kids and adults

    Easy rules, lots of laughs.

    Search on Amazon for Card game for kids and adults (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  8. $20–30

    Hot cocoa set with mugs

    A winter favorite.

    Search on Amazon for Hot cocoa set with mugs (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  9. $10–20

    Gingerbread house kit

    A holiday activity.

    Search on Amazon for Gingerbread house kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  10. $10–20

    Matching holiday socks

    Fun for family photos.

    Search on Amazon for Matching holiday socks (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  11. $20–30

    Mini basketball hoop for a door

    Endless entertainment.

    Search on Amazon for Mini basketball hoop for a door (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  12. $10–20

    Kinetic sand or slime kit

    Kids love it; adults secretly do too.

    Search on Amazon for Kinetic sand or slime kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  13. $10–20

    Craft kit (paint by numbers)

    A relaxing activity.

    Search on Amazon for Craft kit (paint by numbers) (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  14. $20–30

    Bluetooth karaoke microphone

    Instant party.

    Search on Amazon for Bluetooth karaoke microphone (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  15. $20–30

    Night sky projector

    Turns a bedroom into a planetarium.

    Search on Amazon for Night sky projector (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  16. $10–20

    Holiday movie candy pack

    Movie night essentials.

    Search on Amazon for Holiday movie candy pack (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  17. $20–30

    Outdoor bubble machine

    Hours of fun for kids.

    Search on Amazon for Outdoor bubble machine (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  18. $10–20

    Plush throw pillow

    Cute and cozy.

    Search on Amazon for Plush throw pillow (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  19. $10–20

    Classic toy (retro yo-yo or kendama)

    Nostalgia for adults, new for kids.

    Search on Amazon for Classic toy (retro yo-yo or kendama) (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  20. $10–20

    Pancake art kit

    Breakfast becomes art.

    Search on Amazon for Pancake art kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  21. $10–20

    Family trivia game

    Learn who knows what.

    Search on Amazon for Family trivia game (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  22. $20–30

    Indoor snowball fight set

    Safe indoor fun.

    Search on Amazon for Indoor snowball fight set (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  23. $10–20

    Holiday ornament craft kit

    Make ornaments together.

    Search on Amazon for Holiday ornament craft kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  24. Under $10

    Flashlight + glow sticks set

    Camp-out vibes indoors.

    Search on Amazon for Flashlight + glow sticks set (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  25. $10–20

    Hand warmers for sledding

    Practical winter fun.

    Search on Amazon for Hand warmers for sledding (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  26. Under $10

    Book of jokes and riddles

    Entertainment for the car ride home.

    Search on Amazon for Book of jokes and riddles (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  27. $10–20

    Cozy fleece hat

    Warm and cute.

    Search on Amazon for Cozy fleece hat (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  28. $20–30

    Mini terrarium kit

    A hands-on project.

    Search on Amazon for Mini terrarium kit (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  29. $10–20

    Giant candy bar

    Funny and delicious.

    Search on Amazon for Giant candy bar (opens in a new tab) Link to this
  30. $10–20

    Spinning top battle set

    Competitive fun.

    Search on Amazon for Spinning top battle set (opens in a new tab) Link to this

Tips for this list

  • Set a lower budget ($15–25) so kids can join in.
  • Gifts that a whole household can share work well.

Before the party

Check the White Elephant rules so everyone plays the same way, use the number generator to draw the turn order, and if part of the group is remote, run it as a virtual White Elephant game.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play White Elephant with kids?

Lower the budget, choose all-ages gifts, freeze gifts after two steals, and consider the left-right story game, which has no stealing.