Taskmaster games and gifts: which one to buy, and how to play at home

Taskmaster has a way of taking over a living room. Someone reads a task aloud, someone else interprets it far too literally, and the sofa becomes a panel of furious judges. The official games and gifts bring that to your own home, and a few of them are properly good.

The catch is that they are not all for the same people. Some are for the whole family, some are strictly for grown-ups, and one comes with a sealed envelope you are not allowed to open until you have finished a 1,021-piece jigsaw. Here is what we stock, who each one suits, and a few free tasks if you would rather start tonight.

Which Taskmaster game should I buy?

For a family with children, buy the Taskmaster card game (8+). For a grown-up Christmas, buy the advent calendar (14+) or the crackers (14+). For a puzzle fan, the escape room (10+) or the jigsaw (12+) are the better fit.

Ages are the makers' recommendations. If you are buying for children, they matter: the advent calendar and crackers are rated 14+, while the card game is 8+.

How does the Taskmaster advent calendar work?

The Official 2026 Taskmaster Advent Calendar (Volume 2) has 24 doors with no numbers on them. Each day you open a door, complete the task inside, and solving it tells you which door to open tomorrow.

The story is that Little Alex Horne has been locked up, and you free him one day at a time. Expect props, puzzles, festive nonsense and the occasional message from Alex himself. It is made by Puzzle Post, it is recyclable and plastic-free, and it is rated 14+.

Last year's calendar sold out early, so if you want one, don't delay.

Outside the UK? For EU delivery, email info@steamrocket.co.uk with your order and address and we will send a bespoke shipping quote.

What is in the Taskmaster Christmas crackers 2026?

The Taskmaster Christmas Crackers 2026 come as a set of six, with two final tasks, a pop-out Taskmaster trophy, extra tasks and instructions. Each cracker holds a hat, a snap, a joke, a paper bell and its tasks.

The tasks include a secret task to complete without anyone noticing and, new this year, a prize task, plus a Christmas dinner table task and a post-dinner team task. One person takes a turn as the Taskmaster, judges the efforts and hands out points. Whoever wins gets the trophy. The crackers are written with Little Alex Horne, are recyclable and plastic-free, and are rated 14+. A set of six suits one table, so buy two if your Christmas is bigger than that.

What is the best Taskmaster game for families?

The Taskmaster Card Game is the easy one to say yes to. It is made by Ginger Fox and rated 8+, so it is the way in for families. There are 70 task cards and you need a pen and paper for scoring. Everyone but the Taskmaster does the task, the Taskmaster gives 1 to 5 points, and the role passes round. It is also travel-sized, which makes it a decent stocking filler.

What is the Taskmaster escape room game?

In Taskmaster: The Escape Room you build the Taskmaster house, work through 15 puzzles and try to escape it. It plays solo or as a team of up to six, and the fastest escape wins. It is rated 10+.

Is there a Taskmaster jigsaw puzzle?

Yes. The Taskmaster Jigsaw Puzzle has 1,021 pieces and packs in moments and in-jokes from more than 20 series. There is a sealed official task in the box, and you are only allowed to open it once the puzzle is finished. It is rated 12+, which makes it a good gift for someone who loves the show but does not want a party game.

How do you play Taskmaster at home?

Pick one person to be the Taskmaster, give everyone a pen and paper, and set tasks. You do not need a box to start. Try these, each of which needs only things you already have:

1. The Recycling Tower. Build the tallest free-standing tower you can from the recycling bin in 3 minutes. It must stand for 5 seconds.
2. The Sock Run. Move a rolled-up sock from one end of the room to the other without using your hands or feet. Fastest wins.
3. The Teaspoon Transfer. Move as many dried peas as you can from one bowl to another using only a teaspoon, in 60 seconds. You may not hold the bowl.
4. The Newspaper Hat. Make the most impressive hat you can from newspaper and tape in 5 minutes. The Taskmaster scores for ambition, not comfort.
5. The Hiding Place. Hide a teddy somewhere in the room in plain sight. The longest the Taskmaster takes to find it wins.
6. The Worst Pitch. In 30 seconds, pitch the worst board game anyone has ever invented. Marks for confidence.

House rules: the Taskmaster gives 1 to 5 points, the role passes round after each task, and the Taskmaster's word is final. Nothing sharp, hot or on the stairs, and an adult stays in charge when children play. If you would rather not write your own, the card game has 70 ready-made tasks.

What are the best Taskmaster gifts?

• For a stocking filler: the card game.
• For a puzzle lover: the escape room or the jigsaw puzzle.
• For the Christmas dinner table: the Christmas crackers.
• For a month of fun: the advent calendar.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Taskmaster advent calendar suitable for children?

The maker rates it 14+. For younger children, the card game (8+) is the better fit.

Are the Taskmaster crackers recyclable?

Yes. The maker describes the 2026 crackers and the advent calendar as recyclable and 100% plastic-free.

Can I buy Taskmaster games from outside the UK?

For EU delivery of the Puzzle Post products, email info@steamrocket.co.uk and we will quote for shipping.

When will my order arrive in time for Christmas?

Order before midday on Friday 18 December for free delivery (48-hour service), by 11:59pm on Sunday 20 December for Royal Mail Tracked 24, or by 10am on Wednesday 23 December for Special Delivery. See our Christmas last posting dates for details.

See all our TV game gifts for 2026