The holiday season is the perfect time for family gatherings, friendly gift exchanges, and some healthy competition. Board games make for fantastic gifts because they bring people together, spark laughter, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re participating in a White Elephant exchange, Secret Santa, or looking to give a great teacher gift, here are some of the best board games to consider this year.
Focus
Age: 10+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Imagine yourself in a situation where words are forbidden, but communication is essential. In this thrilling game designed for two players, each of you will have to make the other player guess a card. But be careful, subtlety is key! Taking turns, you will have to carefully choose a card to give a clue to your partner. Be careful not to choose their card as your clue; this would result in the end of the game! Tension builds as you wonder if the clue you wanted to take was your partner’s card. Non-verbal communication then becomes the heart of the game.
Happy Salmon
Age: 6+ / Players: 3-8 / Duration: <15 minutes
Happy Salmon is a fast-paced card game that gets everyone moving and laughing in under two minutes! In this quick party game, each player gets a stack of cards. Every card has a simple action that requires a partner. Players frantically shout their actions looking for matching players. When they find a match, they both complete the action and discard their used cards. The first player to finish all of their cards wins!
Piles
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-8 / Duration: <15 minutes
Piles is a quick set collecting game designed for kids and families. If you enjoy classic games like Speed and Spoons then you’ll love this easy-to-learn free-for-all. In Piles, you can play up to 8 players or even face off 1-on-1 for a fun two-player experience. You’ll be matching sets of clothing by swapping cards through a universal discard pile. Average playtime is under 10 minutes making the game highly replayable and addicting. This portable card game is ideal for any occasion.
Tanuki
Age: 7+ / Players: 3-6 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Welcome to the vibrant world of Tanuki, where Gardeners, Geishas, Ninjas, and tons of cute furry creatures clash in a race to cultivate the most productive bamboo garden. Will you try and get revenge or stay focused on your own garden? If you are looking for cute designs, fierce battles, and strategic decision-making, then Tanuki is the game for you. Do you have what it takes to win in this no-holds-barred take that game? It’s time to unleash your inner furry warrior!
Chromino
Age: 6+ / Players: 1-8 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
A colourful alternative to traditional dominoes, Chromino is a great game to give as a gift. Each player in turn places a chromino on the board, making sure to connect 2 squares of the same colour. The first player to place all their chrominoes wins the game. Pretty simple, right? Sure, but your opponents will try to block you, so keep your wits about you. A simple, but surprisingly addictive game!
First to Worst
Age: 8+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
FIRST TO WORST is the ultimate multi-generational game of polarizing priorities! In this fun collaborative game, players try to get into each others’ heads by guessing how fellow players rank a variety of topics in priority order of 1 through 5. Match more right than wrong and victory is yours!
Thank You, Teacher!
Teachers play a vital role in shaping young minds, and the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to show your appreciation. If a teacher is on your gift exchange list, check out our list of great game options!
Klink
Age: 7+ / Players: 3-5 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Great as a stocking stuffer or even a hostess gift, Klink is a fast-paced and easy card-driven game of numbers and strategy. Each round the first player takes two cards, peeks at one and decides to uncover both to add to their points or pass them to another player, who then faces the same decision. The goal of the game: to finish with the lowest score. Twists in scoring and special actions spice things up adding an interesting level of interaction.
Love Letter
Age: 10+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Will your love letter be enough to woo the princess and capture her heart? Carefully use a cast of characters in the castle to carry your message of love to the Princess, while keeping other players’ letters away. Successfully carry your letter to her before your opponents catch you and obtain her affection and win her heart in this game of risk, deduction, and luck! This lightweight card game with quick gameplay is perfect for players of all skill levels.
Spot It!
Age: 6+ / Players: 2-8 / Duration: <15 minutes
Test your observational skills and hone your reflexes with the award-winning Spot it! Classic, a game of lightning-fast choices. With dozens of awards and possible versions, Spot it! has become a global phenomenon, that is sure to please the teacher in your life.
HISTORY Channel Trivia Game
Age: 14+ / Players: 2-12 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
Created in partnership with The HISTORY Channel, the world’s premier destination for historical storytelling since 1995. History Channel Trivia Game spans the entirety of human knowledge, from the big bang to today! Arts & Culture, Sports & Recreation, Science & Technology, Geography & Landmarks, People & Events – So many different topics, there is something for everyone.
Ticket to Ride Paris
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-4 / Duration: <15 minutes
Enjoy the City of Light! Find yourself transported to the glamorous Paris of the roaring twenties. Jump aboard an open platform bus, cruise down les Champs-Elysées, admire the Eiffel Tower, and conclude your day by enjoying a picturesque sunset from a charming terrace in Montmartre. In this fast-paced Ticket to Ride game, players race one another to visit the most iconic locations of the city and complete their Destination Tickets. The winning player will efficiently utilize the Parisian bus network in this new and unique board map.
Board games are more than just a way to pass the time—they’re a great way to connect with others and create unforgettable holiday moments. Whether you’re shopping for family, friends, a fun office gift exchange, or the teachers in your life, these board games offer something for every type of player. So, wrap up a game, and prepare for some joyful competition this holiday season!
Looking for more great game gifts? Check out our full holiday gift guide here.