The holidays are the perfect time to slow down, gather around a table, and enjoy a little friendly competition. Whether you’re planning quiet evenings at home or lively family get-togethers, the right game can spark laughter, teamwork, and memorable moments. Here’s a curated selection of games—easy to find in local toy stores and major retailers—that encourage connection, strategy, and hours of fun.
Codenames
A clever word-based team game: two teams compete, and each team’s “spymaster” gives one‑word clues to help teammates guess their secret words — but avoid the words of the other team or the deadly “assassin” word. It’s fast (about 15–30 min), encourages communication and strategy, and works well for mixed ages.
30 Seconds
Energetic, fast, and fun — players split into teams, and each round one person has 30 seconds to describe five words (without using parts of those words), while teammates guess. Great for big groups, holidays, and anyone who enjoys quick‑thinking and laughter.
Ticket to Ride
A brilliant strategy game involving building train routes and connecting cities. Easy enough for older children and teens (ages 8+), yet deep enough to keep older players engaged. Games typically take 30–60 minutes — perfect for relaxed holiday afternoons.
Carcassonne
A strategic tile‑laying game where players build a landscape of cities, roads and fields — each game creates a new map. Great for ages 7+, and ideal if you want something calm and thoughtful for holiday afternoons.
Dobble (also known as “Spot It!”)
Simple, quick and addictive — players race to spot matching symbols between cards. Works for 2–8 players, usually completes in about 15 minutes, and is perfect for younger kids, families, or as warm‑up between longer games.
Exploding Kittens
A lively, unpredictable card game where players draw cards hoping to avoid the “exploding kitten.” With playful illustrations and fun sabotage cards, it’s easy to learn and quick to play — a hit with kids and teens alike.
Throw Throw Burrito
Equal parts card game and dodgeball — players match cards, and occasionally players have to grab soft plush burritos and toss them at each other in a playful “battle.” It mixes silliness, reflexes and laughter, perfect for energetic kids or big festive groups.
Uno
A timeless classic — simple rules, fast rounds, and lots of fun. Great for younger children as well as teens and adults, Uno works for almost any group size and mood. It’s reliable for holiday downtime, quick games between meals, or when friends drop in. There are a few variations with new rules to also explore!
Mouse Trap
A fun, slightly chaotic game especially enjoyed by younger kids. Players collect “cheese wedges” and try not to get caught in the trap — and the mechanical trap setup often leads to lots of laughs. Great for light-hearted holiday play with kids
Cluedo
Who did it? In the classic mystery game Cluedo, players move around a mansion, gather clues, and try to deduce who committed the crime, with what weapon, and in which room. It’s a great game for older kids and teens — it encourages logical thinking, deduction, and interaction.
Monopoly (latest / refreshed editions)
If you love a bit of friendly rivalry and deal‑making, Monopoly remains a staple. There are refreshed or modernised editions available now (which update the board design and game pieces, and sometimes shorten gameplay) — so you get the classic fun but in a more contemporary package.
Catan
For a more strategic game night: Catan mixes strategy, luck, and negotiation as players build settlements, trade resources, and compete to expand across the island. It’s social and interactive — great if you want teamwork and thinking ahead involved.
Kingdomino
A shorter, easy-to-learn strategy game: Kingdomino has players place domino‑like landscape tiles to build their own kingdom, matching terrains and scoring based on crowns and cohesion. Because it’s quick (about 15–20 min per round) and strategic without being overwhelming, it’s an excellent choice for families with younger kids or for quick holiday rounds.
Herd Mentality
A fun, light-hearted party game that works with larger groups (4–20 players). The aim is to think like everyone else: you draw a card with a question (e.g. “What’s the best snack?”), write an answer, and try to match your answer to the majority. Great for older kids and teens — it’s silly, social, and sparks debates and laughter.
We hope this helped spark some ideas for your holiday fun—let the laughter reign, the games begin, and the memories roll in!
