From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, many families spend more time together around the table than at any other time of year. Board games are a natural fit for those long, relaxed days. They give relatives of all ages something to do together, fill the time between meals and often become a tradition of their own. Here’s how to pick fun board games to play during the holidays, with ideas for every kind of gathering.
What makes a good holiday game?
Holiday crowds are usually mixed: grandparents, young kids, teenagers and guests who rarely play games. The best holiday games share a few traits:
- Quick to teach. A few minutes of explanation, not half an hour.
- Flexible player counts. Games that work whether four or ten people show up.
- Easy to join or leave. Guests come and go, and dinner may be called mid-game.
- Fun even when losing. Laughter matters more than a perfect strategy.
Thanksgiving: games for a full house
Thanksgiving often brings the biggest group of the season, so team and party games work well. Word games such as Codenames let a whole room play in two teams (see our Codenames guide). Drawing games and trivia games are good choices too, and they’re easy to play while the dishes are being cleared. Many families also keep a deck of cards or a dice game like Yahtzee nearby for quick rounds while the meal cooks.
Christmas break: longer games for quiet evenings
Once the presents are open, there’s often time for a longer game. This is a good moment to bring out something like Catan or Ticket to Ride, which take about an hour and reward a bit of planning. If a new game arrived as a gift, read the rules before teaching it so everyone can start quickly. Our guide to board games for Christmas has more ideas for picking one.
For a calm, low-conflict option, Community Garden is a garden-building game for 2 to 4 players in which you gather resources and grow crops while helping the other players along. It suits a quiet evening after a big meal.
Games for kids and grandparents together
Look for games that mix luck and simple choices so the youngest players can win sometimes. Tile games like Rummikub, classic race games and matching games bridge generations well, since grandparents often already know them. Cooperative games, where everyone plays on the same team against the game, are another good choice for mixed ages.
Active games for restless kids
After a long meal, kids often need to move. Toss games are easy for every age and can be set up in a basement, garage or hallway, or in the yard on a mild day.
The GBruno 5-in-1 Bean Bag Toss Game combines several games, including dart, loop toss and bean bag toss, on one board, and is made for children ages 3 and up. For a set the whole family can share, the Wood Mini Bean Bag Toss Game is a compact wooden set with a carrying handle that can travel to a relative’s house.
New Year’s Eve: games to count down with
New Year’s Eve gatherings tend to be social and run late, so short party games fit best. Rotate through a few quick games rather than starting one long one, and keep a simple game ready for the final half hour before midnight.
Tips for holiday game days
Have a game corner
Clear a table, keep the games stacked nearby and add good lighting. A ready spot makes it easy to start a game whenever people are free.
Start short
Warm up with a quick game, then move to something longer once everyone has settled in.
Let someone else teach
If a relative knows a game well, let them run it. It gets more people involved.
Plan ahead
For tips on snacks, schedules and seating, see our guide on how to host a holiday game night.
FAQ
What’s a good board game for a big family gathering?
Team games like Codenames work for large groups because adding players just makes the teams bigger.
What games can kids and adults play together?
Games with a mix of luck and simple choices, like Rummikub or classic race games, give younger players a fair chance.
How do you keep everyone involved?
Choose games that are quick to teach, let people join between rounds and mix in active games for kids.
Do board games make good holiday gifts?
Yes, especially games the whole family can play together. Order early, since shipping slows down in December.
Top image: “Family Playing A Board Game” by Bill Branson, National Cancer Institute, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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