The holiday season is all about family, laughter, and making memories. For our family, nothing brings us closer during Christmas than gathering around the table for a few rounds of our favorite board games. There’s just something magical about the mix of light-hearted competition, holiday treats, and the warm glow of twinkling lights.
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for a way to spice up your family time, these board games are guaranteed to bring joy and excitement to your Christmas break. Each one has been tested (and fiercely debated!) in our household, so you can trust these picks for hours of festive fun.
🧱 LEGO Monkey Palace 🐒
The perfect prelude to our Christmas game list!
Before we dive into our top 10 picks, we just had to share a special recommendation straight from our family game nights: LEGO Monkey Palace.
This game isn’t just a LEGO set—it’s an adventure waiting to unfold! Combining the creativity of building with the fun of strategic play, it’s an excellent choice for families who want to laugh, compete, and bond this holiday season. The vibrant bricks and cheeky monkey theme bring an extra layer of festive cheer, making it a standout pick for Christmas gatherings.
Why do we love it so much? It’s more than just a game; it’s a shared experience that sparks imagination and brings everyone together around the table. Whether you’re helping younger kids stack their palace or challenging grandma to a brick-off, it’s pure holiday magic in a box.
Ticket to Ride
- Perfect for ages 8 and up
Why We Love It:
Who doesn’t love a good train journey? In this game, you’re building railway routes across a beautifully illustrated map, connecting cities to complete your secret objectives. It’s strategic, easy to learn, and perfect for all ages.
Family Tip: Add a holiday twist! Pretend you’re delivering gifts to far-off cities as Santa’s helpers.
CATAN
- Ideal for ages 10 and up
Why It’s Great:
Negotiation, resource management, and friendly deals are the heart of this game. Build settlements, trade resources, and race to 10 points before your family does. Expect a lot of “I’ll give you three sheep for one wood” moments!
Family Memory: One Christmas, our daughter traded her way into victory with a combination of charm and cookie bribes :)
CLUE: Grinch Edition
- Best for ages 8 and up, 2-6 players
Why We Love It:
Ever wanted to catch the culprit who stole Christmas? In this festive twist on the classic mystery game, you’ll join Cindy-Lou Who and her friends to uncover who’s behind the holiday mischief in Whoville. Was it the Grinch himself? Or maybe someone unexpected?
The Grinch Edition of CLUE brings a delightful holiday atmosphere with its colorful Whoville-themed board and playful details. The game adds a layer of strategy with its unique Christmas-themed twists while staying simple enough for younger players to enjoy. It’s the perfect way to gather the family and dive into a fun, festive mystery.
Dixit: A Picture-Perfect Christmas
- Perfect for ages 6 and up
What We Adore:
This storytelling game relies on imagination, creativity, and a touch of strategy. Players describe beautifully illustrated cards with cryptic clues while others try to guess which card matches the description.
Family Fun Moment: Our youngest came up with a description so poetic, we almost forgot we were competing.
Exploding Kittens Original Edition
- Great for ages 7 and up
Why You’ll Laugh Out Loud:
This quirky card game is a mix of strategy and absurdity. The holiday edition adds festive twists, making it even more entertaining as you avoid drawing the dreaded exploding kitten card.
Family Rule: The loser has to sing a Christmas carol of their choice!
Pandemic: Christmas at Stake
- Best for ages 10 and up
Why It’s Unique:
This cooperative game has your family racing against time to stop global outbreaks. It’s a high-stakes adventure, but the teamwork it fosters is what makes it so special.
Holiday Spin: Pretend you’re saving Christmas instead of curing diseases. Santa’s workshop can’t function with an outbreak, after all!
Scrabble: Holiday Word Wars
- Classic fun for ages 8 and up
Why It’s Timeless:
Scrabble brings out the wordsmith in everyone, and during the holidays, you can add festive fun by focusing on Christmas-themed words like “snow,” “bells,” or “joy.”
Pro Tip: Award bonus points for the most creative use of a holiday word.
The Game of Life: Super Mario Edition
- Great for ages 8 and up
What Makes It Shine:
Step into the Mushroom Kingdom with your favorite characters — Mario, Luigi, Peach, or Yoshi! This game adds a delightful twist to the classic Game of Life, letting players collect coins, power up with items, and team up with companions as they journey through iconic locations. Along the way, you’ll compete in fun minigames like Rock Paper Scissors and Thumb Wars, making every spin full of surprises.
Why It’s a Family Favorite:
The game adds excitement with a final showdown against Bowser! Players collect stars to boost their chances in the final battle, making every decision count. The colorful, Mario-themed gameplay makes this a fantastic pick for families looking to add some adventure and competition to their holiday gatherings.
Codenames: Santa’s Secrets
- Fun for ages 10 and up
Why It’s Addictive:
Split into teams and give clever one-word clues to help your teammates guess the right words on the board. It’s competitive yet lighthearted, and the perfect game to sharpen your wit.Holiday Twist: Use Christmas-themed words to make the game even more festive
Just One: Simple, Festive, Fun ✎
- Ideal for ages 8 and up
Why We Recommend It:
This cooperative party game challenges players to guess a secret word with clues provided by teammates. It’s fast, easy, and hilarious when everyone’s clues are too similar and get canceled out.
Pro Tip: Add a festive flair by using holiday-themed word decks.
Board games are more than just games—they’re tools for bonding, laughter, and creating memories that last long after the Christmas lights come down. Whether your family loves strategic planning, creative storytelling, or just good old-fashioned competition, this list has something for everyone.
Still looking for more ways to connect as a family? Check out our Top Family Language Learning Apps for 2024 for fun and educational activities to keep the spirit of togetherness alive!
