If you’re tired of the same old Monopoly and Scrabble, we’ve got you covered with some of the finest board games for families this Christmas.
The festive season is upon us, and what better way to bond with your family than by playing some exciting board games? If you’re tired of the same old Monopoly and Scrabble, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to five must-have board games that will make your Christmas celebrations even more fun. These games offer a unique twist and cater to different group sizes and interests. Let’s dive in and discover the best board games for families this Christmas!
Best for a Small Group – Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries
If you’re spending Christmas with a small group of 2-3 players, Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries is the perfect choice. This board game is part of the hugely popular Ticket to Ride series and offers a winter-themed adventure set in the Nordic countries.
The objective of the game is to link cities on the map by constructing train tracks. Players must race against each other to complete rail routes or strategically block their opponents’ progress. With easy-to-understand rules and a playtime of 30-60 minutes, it’s suitable for players aged 8 and above.
Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries boasts simple gameplay mechanics, high replayability, and works well for all ages and skill levels. So gather your family around the table this Christmas and embark on an exciting railway adventure!
Best Christmas Spirit – Santa’s Workshop
Bring the Christmas spirit alive with Santa’s Workshop, a board game that immerses players in the magical world of Santa’s elves. In this game, each player leads a group of elves responsible for making gifts and tending to the reindeer.
The goal is to strike a balance between gift quantity and quality to earn points. Players assign elves to different tasks such as mining coal or building gifts, making them more efficient workers. Throughout the game, they collect resources needed for gift production while tending to the reindeer for additional points.
Santa’s Workshop captures the essence of the festive season and offers a unique blend of resource management and decision-making. It accommodates 2-5 players, has a duration of 45-60 minutes, and is suitable for players aged 8 and above.
Instead of Trivial Pursuit – Timeline 3: Historical Events
Looking for a competitive challenge during the holiday season? Timeline 3: Historical Events is the perfect alternative to Trivial Pursuit. This game tests your knowledge of history as you attempt to place historical event cards in chronological order on a timeline.
With 110 historical-related cards, Timeline offers both educational value and fun gameplay. Players compete to correctly position the cards, aiming to be the first to get rid of their hand. It supports up to 8 players, with each round lasting approximately 15 minutes.
Timeline 3: Historical Events provides a fast-paced learning experience that is suitable for players aged 8 and above. Its portability makes it an ideal travel game, ensuring that history buffs can enjoy their favorite subject even during Christmas vacations.
Instead of Charades – Concept
Concept is an engaging word-guessing game that serves as an excellent alternative to Charades. In Concept, players split into two teams and use conceptual images and icons from the board to guess words or phrases.
With three difficulty levels to choose from, Concept can be tailored to suit different groups. The game encourages teamwork and creativity as players collaborate to convey concepts without speaking or acting them out.
Concept is suitable for larger groups of 4-12 players, has a playtime of around 40 minutes, and is recommended for ages 10 and above. Its simplicity and unique gameplay experience make it a hit at family gatherings or Christmas parties.
Instead of Scrabble – Wordsy
Wordsy offers a fresh take on word games and serves as an exciting replacement for Scrabble. In Wordsy, players compete to create words using the letters they have, without requiring all the letters present.
The game combines tension, pace, and laughter as players race against the timer to come up with words. What sets Wordsy apart is the absence of a board and the ability to use incomplete letters to form words.
Wordsy supports 1-6 players and has a playtime of 20 minutes. It is suitable for players aged 8 and above, providing a fast-paced word game experience that will keep everyone entertained this Christmas.
Instead of Taboo – Codenames
Codenames is a multi-award-winning game that offers an exciting alternative to Taboo. In Codenames, two teams compete against each other to uncover their opponents’ secret identities using code names.
The spymasters on each team give verbal hints consisting of one word and a number to guide their field operatives in choosing the correct cards. The gameplay involves deduction, strategy, and teamwork.
Codenames accommodates 2-8 players and has a playtime of 15 minutes. It is suitable for ages 10 and above, making it an ideal choice for family or Christmas gatherings.
Final Notes
This Christmas, elevate your family bonding time with these must-have board games. Whether you prefer strategic challenges or creative wordplay, there’s something for everyone. From Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries to Codenames, these games offer unique twists that will make your holiday season even more memorable. So gather your loved ones, grab a board game, and let the fun times roll!