Exploding Kittens (Original Edition)
Our verdict · A quick, chaotic card game that turns a Secret Santa reveal into an actual activity.
Buy it if
Learn-in-minutes rules that work for mixed-ability groups
Skip it if
Best with 3+ players; two-player games feel less dynamic
Where to get it
Exploding Kittens (Original Edition)
From £15
Indicative price at the time of review.
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The best Secret Santa gifts do a bit of work in the room, and a card game gives your recipient something to break out at the pub or the next family gathering. Exploding Kittens is a strong choice because the rules land in a couple of minutes, rounds are short, and the artwork does most of the comedy for you. It suits an office recipient you don't know well (nothing personal, broadly likeable) and friends alike, and it scales to a small group so it rarely gathers dust. The base 'Original' box plays two to five and is rated 7+; there's a separate adults-only NSFW edition, so pick the original for a work exchange. Two-player games are a touch thin, so it shines most with three or more.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Learn-in-minutes rules that work for mixed-ability groups
- Short rounds keep it lively and re-playable
- Neutral, broadly appealing gift for someone you barely know
Cons
- Best with 3+ players; two-player games feel less dynamic
- Humour is light and silly rather than strategic
- Check you're buying the 7+ original, not the adults-only NSFW box, for the office
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Yankee Candle Signature Medium Jar | 92/100 | From £15 (indicative, on offer) | overall |
| 2.Exploding Kittens (Original Edition)This pick | 90/100 | From £15 (indicative) | laughs |
| 3.Anker Nano Power Bank (5,000mAh) | 88/100 | From £16 (indicative) | practical gift |
| 4.Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Selection (small H-Box) | 94/100 | From £12 (indicative) | chocolate lovers |
| 5.Moleskine Classic Notebook (Large, Hardcover) | 84/100 | From £17 (indicative) | the desk |
Key facts
- Best for
- laughs
- Typical cost
- From £15 (indicative)
- Players
- 2-5 (base game; expandable with add-on decks)
- Age
- 7+ (separate adults-only NSFW edition exists)
- Play time
- Around 15 minutes per game
- Contents
- Illustrated card deck plus rules
- Format
- Compact box, easy to wrap
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Updated
- 31 August 2026
- Last verified
- 31 August 2026
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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