Somebody at the table says they've got a game that takes 60 seconds to learn, and ten minutes later the whole family is shouting about a penny. That's a penny drop game. It's a small wooden box with numbered slots, one die, and a pile of coins. You roll, you drop a coin, and the first person out of coins wins. It's cheap, it fits in a drawer, and it works for ages from about 6 to 96. Here are the 5 best penny drop games in 2026, ranked by star rating and number of reviews.
We didn't play these ourselves. We read the listings and the review patterns. If you're after something bigger for a game room, see our basement game tables picks.
What to Look For in a Penny Drop Game
Original or copy. The game was created by Creative Crafthouse in Florida, and its version has the most reviews. Other makers sell similar boxes with their own names for the game, like Coin Drop or Penny Game.
Coins included or not. Some versions come with plastic or metal coins and others expect you to use pennies. Check before you buy if you want a ready-to-play gift.
Size. Travel and medium boxes fit in a bag. The larger sliding-lid boxes feel nicer on a table. Pick based on where you'll play.
Engraved or printed numbers. Engraved numbers won't wear off. Creative Crafthouse says its numbers are laser-engraved, not printed.
Wood and finish. Look for solid wood and a smooth sliding lid. A box that sticks is annoying in a game that's all about quick turns.
The 5 Best Penny Drop Games in 2026
1. Creative Crafthouse Penny Drop Game, Premium Version (The Original)
Best for: the best-reviewed, best-built version for a gift or family game night.
A handmade wooden box with a sliding lid, numbered slots and a wooden die. It's made by Creative Crafthouse in Hudson, Florida, and the numbers are engraved, not printed. Pennies aren't included. It has 4.8 stars from more than 2,600 reviews.
What makes it stand out: It has the highest rating and the most reviews, and it's the original. The wood feels solid and the lid slides smoothly.
Good to know: It costs a bit more than the copies, and you supply your own pennies.
2. Creative Crafthouse Penny Drop, Medium Size
Best for: a smaller version that's easier to carry or store.
The same game in a medium-size wooden box. It plays the same way as the premium version, with a die and an engraved game board. It has 4.7 stars from about 2,500 reviews.
What makes it stand out: It's the lower-cost way to get the original game, and the box is easy to slip into a bag.
Good to know: The box is smaller, so it's less fun with a big group around a table. Pennies aren't included.
3. Penny Drop II Wooden Dice Game with Maple Wood Lid
Best for: people who like a two-tone wood look on the table.
A handmade box with a maple wood lid and a darker wood base, plus a wooden die and instructions. It's also made by Creative Crafthouse. It has 4.8 stars from about 475 reviews.
What makes it stand out: The two woods look good on a coffee table, and the rating is as high as the original.
Good to know: Fewer reviews than the top two. It's a gift-style game, so it costs more than the plain pine boxes.
4. Penny Game Wood Box for 2+ Players, Simple + Strategic Dice Game
Best for: a budget-friendly pale wood version you can use with any coins.
A pale wood box with engraved slots and a wooden die. The photos show it played with coins, and the box can be used with pennies. It has 4.5 stars from about 500 reviews.
What makes it stand out: It works with any small coin, and the light wood looks good in photos.
Good to know: It's a copy, not the original, and the wood looks more basic. The rating is lower than the Creative Crafthouse boxes.
5. SWOOC Games Coin Drop, Simple and Strategic Dice Game with Coins Included
Best for: kids and families who want coins in the box and a bonus prize idea.
A pine wood box with a sliding lid and red plastic coins for 2 to 6 players. You can also use pennies for more players. The listing says it's made from sustainable New Zealand pine and plants a tree with each sale. It has 4.5 stars from about 370 reviews.
What makes it stand out: The coins are in the box, so it's ready to play. The listing suggests hiding a small prize in the box for a winner.
Good to know: It has the fewest reviews of the five. The plastic coins feel lighter than real pennies.
How to Play Penny Drop
- Give each player the same number of coins (pennies or the included coins).
- On your turn, roll the die and look at the number.
- If that slot is empty, drop one of your coins into it. If it already has coins, take them all.
- The first player to get rid of all their coins wins.
- To speed it up, let players keep rolling as long as they want, or add a small prize for the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Final Thoughts
We'd buy the Creative Crafthouse Premium version. It has the best rating and the most reviews, and it's the one most people recommend. If you want a smaller box, the Medium size is the same game for less.
Penny Drop II is for the look of two woods, and the SWOOC box is for coins that come in the box. The Penny Game box is the plain, lower-cost option. Whichever you pick, keep the pennies away from little kids.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here's how we pick products.
