Lunar New Year games for the reunion dinner
The reunion dinner is the biggest family meal of the year, and there is always a long evening after it. These games keep every generation playing together, from the kids with their red envelopes to the grandparents waiting up for midnight.
Each pick has a Lunar New Year card pack with red envelopes, lion dances, dumplings and the zodiac. It switches on by itself from a week before the New Year until the Lantern Festival.
The 5 best games
1. Imposter (3+ players)
Everyone sees a word like Red envelope or Nian monster, except the imposter, who has to bluff in front of the whole family.
- Pass the phone round. Each player taps their card to see the secret word, then hides it.
- One player sees “Imposter” instead (plus a one-word hint, if hints are on). They must bluff.
- Go round the circle. Everyone says one word linked to the secret word, then discuss and vote.
- Catch the imposter and everyone else scores 1. If they escape or guess the word, they score 2.
2. Charades (2+ players)
Act out a lion dance or eating long noodles without breaking them. Kids love acting for their grandparents.
- The actor holds the phone so only they can see it, then taps Start.
- Act out the word on screen. No talking, no sounds, and no pointing at things in the room.
- When someone guesses it, tap Got it. Stuck? Tap Skip for a new word.
- When time runs out, the actor scores 1 point per word guessed. Pass the phone on.
3. True or False (2+ players)
Zodiac and festival trivia: is the cat one of the twelve animals, and what is the festival called in Korea?
- Read the statement out loud.
- Everyone shows thumbs up for True or thumbs down for False, all at once.
- Tap Reveal answer.
- Tap every player who got it right. They each score 1.
4. Would You Rather (2+ players)
One big red envelope or ten small ones? Be the lion or play the drum?
- Read both options out loud.
- Count to three. Everyone points left for the first option or right for the second.
- Tap every player on the bigger side. They each score 1. A tie means nobody scores.
- Tap Next turn for a new question.
5. Pass the Bomb (3+ players)
Name the zodiac animals or lucky things before the bomb goes off. Fast and loud, just like the firecrackers.
- Read the category out loud, then tap Light the fuse.
- Say one answer that fits, tap Pass, and hand the phone to the next player.
- No repeats. If the group says an answer doesn’t count, try again before passing.
- When the bomb explodes, whoever is holding it loses. Everyone else scores 1.
The Lunar New Year card pack
70 themed cards for 8 games. It switches on by itself in the days around the festival each year, and you can pick it any time.
Imposter (14 cards)
- Red envelope
- Dumpling folding
- Lion dance
Charades (10 cards)
- Doing a lion dance
- Handing over a red envelope with both hands
- Folding dumplings
Would You Rather (6 cards)
- Get one big red envelope / Get ten small ones
- Make the dumplings / Eat the dumplings
- Be the lion in the lion dance / Play the drum
Most Likely To (8 cards)
- Most likely to give the biggest red envelopes
- Most likely to eat the most dumplings
- Most likely to wear red from head to toe
Never Have I Ever (8 cards)
- Never have I ever received a red envelope
- Never have I ever made dumplings from scratch
- Never have I ever watched a lion dance
True or False (9 cards)
- Lunar New Year celebrations traditionally last 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival
- There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac
- Lunar New Year always falls on 1 January
20 Questions (10 cards)
- Red envelope
- Paper lantern
- Dumpling
Pass the Bomb (5 cards)
- Chinese zodiac animals
- Lucky things
- Chinese dishes
Tips
- Play between dinner and midnight to keep everyone awake.
- Offer a small red envelope as the prize.
- Cast to the TV so the whole table can see.
Questions
What games can we play at Lunar New Year?
Imposter, Charades, True or False, Would You Rather and Pass the Bomb all have Lunar New Year cards and run on one phone for the whole family.
When does the pack switch on?
From about a week before Lunar New Year until the Lantern Festival, 15 days later. The dates change every year, and the pack follows them.