25 family board games and holiday puzzles for a fun, screen-free night

Family board games have always been a great way to bring everyone together, especially around the holidays.

To get your kids, friends, and even partner engaged, try grabbing a new and exciting board or card game, or pick up something classic that reels them in with nostalgia!

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Take Monopoly or UNO for example: They're endlessly re-playable, still as fun as they were decades ago and they're still super affordable -- even less than a cup of good coffee in some cases.

And don't forget the puzzles! Especially fun, holiday-themed options the whole family will love piecing together.

We've separated the games out by options that are great for all ages, which includes little kids, as well as games for older kids and adults that will win over a teen party or cocktail night just as easily.

Whether you're looking to instill a no-screen-time evening once a week or host a soiree for all your besties, keep scrolling to see which games we think you'll love.

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Holiday puzzles to work on together

If you're planning on family gatherings this holiday season, break out a holiday-themed puzzle that the whole crew can work on together to enjoy some screen-free, wholesome quality time. These puzzles, particularly the chic ones like the magazine-themed picks from Tuckernuck, also made terrific stocking stuffers!

Tuckernuck

New York Puzzle Company Winter Wonders Jigsaw Puzzle

• $25

• Tuckernuck

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Pottery Barn

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Puzzle

• $49.50

• Pottery Barn

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7% off

Amazon

Galison Presentville 500 Piece Holiday Foil Puzzle Featuring Festive Scene by Joy Laforme

• $14.74
• $15.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Galison Twinkle Town 500 Piece Puzzle from Galison - Featuring Colorful and Whimsical Illustrations of a Festive Snowy Town, 20" x 20", Makes a Wonderful Gift

• $14.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Galison Nutcracker Magic – 500 Piece Puzzle Fun and Challenging Activity with Bright and Bold Artwork of Wooden Toy Soldiers for Adults and Families

• $14.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

PICKFORU Christmas Advent Calendar 2024 Puzzles for Adults 1000 Pieces

• $9.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Wintry Cats 500 Piece Puzzle from Galison - 20" x 20" Winter Themed Puzzle

• $14.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Bits and Pieces – 500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle for Adults - ‘Christmas Delivery’ - Holiday Winter Dogs Large Piece Jigsaw by The Macneil Studio Artists

• $16.98

• Amazon

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Best family board & card games for all ages

They say the classics never go out of style, and when it comes to these oldie-but-goodie family games, we have to agree! Introduce your kids to these favorites or grab them for yourself to get a nostalgic rush on your next game night.

17% off

amazon

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4

The top-selling board game on Amazon is a classic you've likely played and loved: Connect 4. It's easy to learn for anyone over six years old, and since it's a two-player game, it can help with one-on-one bonding for parents and their children. It also helps build manual dexterity and is fun for all ages and skill levels.

• $9.87
• $11.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Brass Monkey Drawing from Memory - Social Party Game with 300+ Game Card Prompts for Drawing from Memory Visit the Brass Monkey Store

• $22.92

• Amazon

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27% off

Amazon

Mattel Games ​Giant UNO Card Game for Kids, Adults & Family Night, Oversized Cards & Customizable Wild Cards for 2-10 Players

It's the UNO game you know and love, now with giant cards that are three times bigger than the original! This makes them easier to see and less likely to blow away if you're playing at the beach or in a park, and the wild cards are customizable for a unique challenge. This set has added accessbility as well thanks to symbols on certain cards that allow anyone with colorblindness an equal shot at winning.

• $14.48
• $19.99

• Amazon

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Walmart

Candy Land Preschool No Reading Required Board Game for Kids and Family Ages 3 and Up, 2 to 4 Players

For many, Candlyland was their introduction to the joy of board games. Pass that fun onto your kids with the fun characters, easy rules, quick playtime and under-$10 price. Reading isn't required since it's a picture-based game, so even the littlest kids can get in on the fun. And since it's available at Walmart, you can add it to your normal grocery order and pick up today!

• $7.97

• Walmart

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37% off

Amazon

Hasbro Gaming Trouble Board Game for Kids Ages 5 and Up 2-4 Players

With Trouble, the fun is instant thanks to the super-fun pop-o-matic bubble that keeps your dice in place and pegs that help you pop around the board -- both of which appeal to hands-on learners. Perfect for school-age children and adults alike, this makes a great way to shake off excess energy in the evenings before dinner.

• $7.49
• $11.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Junior: Bluey Edition

If you, like so many parents, live in a Bluey household now, try this special edition of Monopoly Junior to get your kids' favorite cartoon dog involved in strategic, educational game time. Junior editions of Monopoly are a streamlined version of the original, so you'll have as much fun as you always have while kids as young as five can also grasp the game.

• $19.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Hasbro Gaming Mouse Trap Kids Board Game

Work on those engineering and spatial skills with Mouse Trap, the game where you build the trap yourself while trying to prevent getting caught. This makes a great gift for kids over six years old due to some parts that can pose choking hazards, but it's also fun for adults, too.

• $24.99

• Amazon

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Best games for older kids, teens & adults

These games are still family-friendly but with added challenges that keep it interesting for expanding minds. Try them out for screen-free night with your pre-teen or teenage children, or bring them out at a party to draw your friends in for a fun evening.

Amazon

Catan Board Game

Catan is a beloved resource management game that provides plenty of challenges for growing and mature players alike. It takes less than 15 minutes to learn the fundamentals, then you're enveloped in an average hour-long game filled with high-stakes decision making that allows for creative and analytical thought processes. In addition to this base board game, players who fall in love with the Catan universe will be able to buy expansion packs to up the ante, offering endless opportunity for family fun.

• $59.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Brass Monkey Misunderstood Songs

• $18.51

• Amazon

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20% off

Amazon

CGE Czech Games Edition Codenames Boardgame

With more than 30,000 ratings and an average 4.8-star review, Codenames is one of the most popular games on the market thanks to its quick 15-minute playtime and ability to get a party going for two to eight players -- even more if you're working in teams. Grab this for a teen sleepover or cocktail party with friends to keep the energy up throughout the night.

• $19.94
• $24.99

• Amazon

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21% off

Amazon

Wavelength: The Party Game Show in a Box

Wavelength is appropriate for all ages, but the sophisticated packaging and innovative gameplay make it a fun new option for kids and teens who feel like they've outgrown Candyland but still enjoy board games. You can play with anywhere from two to 12 people so it's perfect for parties, and the game claims to take five seconds to set up, one minute to learn and 30 minutes to play -- quick, simple and fun for everyone.

• $31.49
• $39.99

• Amazon

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26% off

Amazon

Ticket to Ride Board Game | Family Board Game

Competitive and fast-paced, Ticket to Ride lets players scramble to build train lines across notable American cities while collecting train cards along the way to win the game. This game offers endless replay options and fun, with each game lasting 30 to 60 minutes and accommodating two to five players.

• $43.97
• $59.99

• Amazon

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42% off

Amazon

Pandemic Board Game

Strategy and cooperation are the keys to playing Pandemic, which makes it ideal for teaching growing kids and teens the benefits of teamwork. The players must work together to save the population from four diseases threatening to ravage the globe, and the average game lasts 45 minutes so you can get in-depth with the gameplay without sacrificing multiple hours to one round.

• $22.99
• $39.99

• Amazon

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Amazon

Mystery Date Nostalgia Edition Board Game

Mystery Date is great for young adults and teens due to the engaging surprise elements of your unknown date showing up behind the door, but parents and grandparents will love the retro packaging and style of the board and all its pieces. It also comes in a lovely, collectible tin that offers sturdy storage.

• $39.99

• Amazon

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Uncommon Goods

NYC Skyline Chess

Chess players young and old will appreciate the updated game pieces modeled after stalwart NYC buildings like The Guggenheim, One World Trade and even tiny brownstones for pawns. The higher price point also makes this a luxurious housewarming gift -- especially if the new spot in is in the five boroughs -- and the set comes in a variety of cities around the world, making it easy to start a global collection.

• $128

• Uncommon Goods

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Amazon

Exploding Kittens Mantis Matching Card Game with 105 Cards and Comic - Colorful, Cutthroat Family Card Game

This newer game from Exploding Kittens is fast-growing in its popularity, with three thousand units sold last month on Amazon alone. It's made for two to six players whom it takes on an "emotional rollercoaster" that has only two rules: Steal or score! It's quick to play and easy to transport, so you might even grab a few decks to take to parties and leave behind as a parting gift.

• $21.83

• Amazon

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Amazon

Brass Monkey I've Venn Thinking – Fun Party Card Game About Finding Funny Common Things from Unexpected Pairings for Adults, Ages 13+

• $23.29

• Amazon

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