Best family board games

Board and card games that work for mixed ages over Christmas, picked from UK reviewers' 2026 lists. Most take under an hour to play.

By Sam · Updated 4 November 2026 · 12 products, all price-tracked

Our picks

Our top pick

Photo: Amazon

Dobble

Researched

£9.22 at Amazon

as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

In stock

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Runner-up

Photo: Amazon

Monopoly Deal: KPop Demon Hunters

Researched

£8.99 at Amazon

as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details

In stock

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Also good

Photo: Amazon

Exploding Kittens (Original Edition)

Researched

£19.99 at Amazon

as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details

In stock

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All 12 compared

Gift	Price
1. Dobble Our top pick	£9.22 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched One of the best small games to have in the house: quick to learn, quick to play. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a long, thoughtful game: a round of Dobble is over in minutes.
2. Monopoly Deal: KPop Demon Hunters Runner-up	£8.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good small game for a KPop Demon Hunters fan. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if nobody in the house knows the film: the plain Monopoly Deal is the same game.
3. Exploding Kittens (Original Edition) Also good	£19.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A quick card game that children and grown-ups both enjoy. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the player is under seven, or you want a game for more than five players.
4. Drumond Park Articulate Under Pressure	£19.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A lively game for a family with teenagers. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are young children: it suits older children and adults.
5. Rummikub (Goliath)	£27.72 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A family game that grandparents and children can play together. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want a quick party game: Rummikub is a thinking game.
6. Orchard Toys Shopping List	£6.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A simple first game for a pre-schooler. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the child is older than seven: it is a first game.
7. CATAN (6th Edition)	£39.69 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good strategy game for a family with older children. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are under ten: it is a thinking game.
8. Wavelength	£23.49 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good game for a family get-together. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are young children.
9. Ticket to Ride Europe	£37.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good family board game. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are under eight.
10. Ravensburger Labyrinth	£14.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good family game for mixed ages. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are under seven.
11. Taskmaster board game	£24.99 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good party game for fans of the show. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are young children.
12. Bananagrams	£21.34 at Amazon as of 4 Nov 2026, 13:20 GMT · Details Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. In stockCheck price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A good small game for a family that likes words. Good Worth knowing Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if the players are young children who can't spell yet.

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Before you buy

Check the age and player count on each game before you buy: a game that's too long or too hard for the youngest player won't come out again.

How we choose

We unbox and build what we can at home, hand it to someone the age it's sold for, and check prices and stock at UK shops through the day. Every pick is labelled: Tested at home when we've had it in our hands (bought, or sent free by the brand, and the review says which), Researched when we haven't. Commissions never change a pick or its place on the list. Read our full methodology →