Best board games to play with the family this Christmas... and beyond
Avoid the post-Christmas dinner slump by playing one of these fun-packed family games
Are you a gaming family or not? Would you rather not collapse in front of the telly after the festive feed? Or do you usually play board games together but you could do with introducing something new this year?
Whichever habit your fam follows, we’ve chosen our favourite games that all the clan – young or old – can play.
Related: Magical Harry Potter games for Christmas that fans will not want to miss
Best board games for Christmas
Why you can trust Ideal Home
1. Articulate for Kids
Suitable for ages six and up, this is the family version of the traditional descriptive board game. You play in teams of at least two (so you need at least four people to play) with each team making their way around the board to pass the finish line. The more cards one team member describes and the other team members guess correctly, the further ahead you can move.
If you’ve played classic Articulate before, these words are a little less taxing than the original version and you’ll know that mouthing, rhyming or spelling the words are strict no-nos. Definitely one worth getting your nan to play after one too many sherries…
Buy now: Drumond Park Articulate! For Kids, £16, John Lewis & Partners
2. Dobble 123
The majority of family games are usually too sophisticated for children under six to play so if you are looking for something that everyone can get involved in, try this version of the popular card game, Dobble. Pretty simple and straightforward, aimed at ages three and up, Dobble 123 doesn’t require any complex strategy or technique – you just need to match the same shapes and/or numbers between cards.
Usually a game that children excel in more than adults thanks to their lightening quick reactions, this will even help little ones with motor skills and recognition of numbers, colours and shapes.
Buy now: Dobble 123, £12.99, Waterstones
3. Trivial Pursuit: Family Edition
Now in its 37th year, Trivial Pursuit is something of a classic with questions testing your knowledge of geography, entertainment, history, art & culture, science & nature and sport & leisure. This edition features a deck of question and answer cards for adults and a separate (easier) one for children, so anyone over the age of eight can play. Expect this to be the one and only time your teenager argues that they’re still officially a child!
Buy now: Hasbro Gaming Trivial Pursuit Family Edition, £24, Argos
4. Roxi: Name That Song!
While fans of The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent are bound to love this brilliant karaoke kit, the built-in multiple choice game – Name That Song! – is sure to get the whole family belting out a banger. Taking a mere two minutes to set up (all you need is a flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi for it for it to work), ROXi features tens of millions of songs, all of which can be selected using the easy-to-use voice search function (so you don’t have to spend ages typing the name of the song out on screen).
What’s more, you can link up an external Bluetooth speaker to it to ramp up the volume – perfect if family members are feeling too shy to croon the tunes.
Buy now: ROXi music entertainment system in Red, £99.95 or five monthy payments of £19.99, buyroxi.com
5. Splendor
While not necessarily one for younger kids (the recommended playing age is 10 and up), this two to four player game is mercifully short. Each game lasts a mere 30 minutes which is welcome relief from the usual endless game of Monopoly that invariably descends into arguments. While it doesn’t sound particularly exciting – the premise is based on Renaissance merchant guilds and the acquisition of gemstones and patrons – it is very easy to play and really rather addictive.
Buy now: Space Cowboys Splendor board game, £22.49, Amazon
We're sure that, among these, you're guaranteed to find a game that keeps everyone entertained until it’s time for turkey sandwiches…
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Ginevra Benedetti has been the Deputy Editor of Ideal Home magazine since 2021. With a career in magazines spanning nearly twenty years, she has worked for the majority of the UK’s interiors magazines, both as staff and as a freelancer. She first joined the Ideal Home team in 2011, initially as the Deputy Decorating Editor and has never left! She currently oversees the publication of the brand’s magazine each month, from planning through to publication, editing, writing or commissioning the majority of the content.
-
Do your bedside lamps need to match? Design experts agree on this approach for a calming scheme
Looking to switch up your bedside lamps but not sure whether to go matchy-matchy or mix things up a bit?
By Holly Walsh
-
This 59p product drastically reduced the condensation on my windows - and you probably have it in your cupboards already
You probably already have this everyday essential in your cupboards, but I bet you didn’t know that it’s a natural dehumidifier
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Can heated airers cause damp? Experts explain this common problem and how to combat it
Find out how to quickly dry your clothes this winter while keeping your home mould-free
By Eilidh Williams
-
9 unexpected household items interior stylists are turning into Christmas decor - get a new look with things you already have
You don't have to spend a great deal to get your home kitted out for the festive season this year
By Ellis Cochrane
-
Grind’s sell out advent calendar is back in stock for christmas - here’s why it's a must-have gift for any coffee-addicts
Enjoy a cup a day to welcome the Christmas countdown
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Colourful Christmas trees are already taking over the upcoming festive season – this is how to embrace the bold trend
Who says your Christmas tree has to be green?
By Sara Hesikova
-
Argos’ new curved Christmas tree looks like something straight out of The Grinch - and it's perfect for small spaces
Like the Grinch, this curved top tree could steal the show this Christmas
By Kezia Reynolds
-
I got a preview of Aldi's Christmas specialbuys - the homeware products to watch out for and the dates they're dropping
Get ready to shop the middle aisle, some hidden gems are about to land
By Rebecca Knight
-
Paper Christmas trees are the Scandi-inspired trend I'm seeing everywhere - and it's perfect for that retro-luxe look
Who knew paper could look so luxurious
By Kezia Reynolds
-
The White Company Christmas shop has opened – these are the pieces we predict will sell out
It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas...
By Kezia Reynolds
-
The M&S bestselling light-up candles are back for Christmas - but you’ll have to act fast as they're expected to sell out
It's begining to look a lot like Christmas...
By Kezia Reynolds