White Elephant Dice Game
A faster, louder white elephant: roll the die, do what it says, and keep whatever you're holding when the timer goes off. No dice? Use the one below.
Tap the die to roll
What each number means
Round 2 timer
How to play
Setup
Everyone brings a wrapped gift within the budget and sits in a circle. Put all the gifts in the middle. You need one die (or this page) and a timer.
Round 1: fill your hands
Go around the circle. On your turn, roll once. With the standard rules, a 1 or a 6 means you take a wrapped gift from the middle; anything else and you pass the die. If you already have a gift and roll a winner, pass the die and let someone else take one. The round ends when the middle is empty.
Round 2: swap until the timer runs out
Start the timer. Keep rolling around the circle, as fast as you like:
- 1: swap gifts with the person on your left
- 2: swap gifts with the person on your right
- 3: swap with anyone you choose
- 4: unwrap your gift (if it's already open, pass)
- 5: everyone passes their gift one seat to the left
- 6: trade with anyone, or keep yours
When time's up, everyone opens whatever is still wrapped and keeps what they have.
Tips
- For big groups, use two dice and two rollers on opposite sides of the circle.
- For kids, cut the timer to five minutes and change 3 and 6 to "pass."
- Don't want gifts opened in round 2? Change 4 to "Pass the die" and unwrap everything at the end.
- Print the rules card and set it in the middle so nobody needs to ask what a 5 means.
Dice or classic stealing?
The dice game is pure luck and moves quickly, so it suits large groups and people who don't like confrontation. The classic version, where you choose whose gift to steal, has more strategy and more drama. Read the classic white elephant rules, or run it with the generator and steal tracker.
Questions
What are the rules of the white elephant dice game?
Everyone sits in a circle with the gifts in the middle. In round 1, players take turns rolling one die; a 1 or 6 lets you take a wrapped gift, until the pile is empty. In round 2, set a timer and keep rolling: each number tells you to swap left, swap right, swap with anyone, unwrap, or pass gifts around. When the timer goes off, you keep what you're holding.
Do I need real dice?
No. The die on this page works on any phone or laptop. Pass the phone around the circle, or put it on the TV and have one person tap.
Can I change what each number means?
Yes. Click any action and type your own. Your version is saved in this browser and goes onto the printable rules card.
How long should the timer be?
Ten minutes suits most groups of 8 to 15. Go shorter for kids, longer for big groups, or if people are having too much fun to stop.
What if someone ends up with their own gift?
Most groups let it slide; it's part of the luck. If it bothers your group, allow a free swap with anyone after the timer.