Buying guide
Best Family Games for Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a tricky time for a game: the table is full, ages run from toddlers to grandparents and nobody wants to read a rulebook after dinner. These six cover the usual moods, from a quick card game to a murder mystery to a long afternoon of property trading.
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Quick picks
| Our pick | Game | Why we like it | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Pictionary | Played in teams, with quick turns and no artistic skill needed, so every age can join in. | £13.33 | View deal |
| Best for quick rounds | Uno | Learned in a couple of minutes, plays with two to ten, and a round is over fast. | £5.00 | View deal |
| Best for quiz lovers | Trivial Pursuit Family Edition | Separate kids’ and adults’ questions give every generation a fair chance. | £19.99 | View deal |
| Best for after dinner | Cluedo | A murder-mystery hunt that keeps a full table busy once the plates are cleared. | £17.49 | View deal |
| Best for all ages | Jenga | Almost nothing to learn, so young children and grandparents can play together. | £9.99 | View deal |
| Best for a long afternoon | Monopoly | The big-table classic, best saved for when nobody is in a hurry. | £21.19 | View deal |
1 OF 6
Pictionary Best overall
One player sketches a word while their team races to guess it before the timer runs out. Nobody needs to draw well, and the worst sketches often make the best moments.
What works
- Rules take a minute to explain
- Works for mixed ages and abilities
- Livelier the more people are on each team
Not so good
- Arguments over whether a scribble counts
- Other editions have different cards and rules, so check the listing
2 OF 6
Uno Best for quick rounds
Match the top card by colour, number or symbol and be first to empty your hand. There is almost nothing to set up, so younger players join in on equal terms, and the deck is small enough to slip into a bag.
What works
- Rules take a minute to explain
- Plays with anything from two to ten
- Quick rounds, so it is easy to play another
Not so good
- Mostly luck, so little room for strategy
- The draw-card chaos will not suit everyone
3 OF 6
Trivial Pursuit Family Edition Best for quiz lovers
Roll, move and answer questions from six categories to win a wedge for each. The Family Edition has 2,400 questions on 400 cards, 200 for kids and 200 for adults, so a mixed-age table can play together.
What works
- Separate kids’ and adults’ cards
- Play as individuals or in teams
- No complicated scoring to learn
Not so good
- A quiz first and a board game second
- Close answers can start a good-natured argument
4 OF 6
Cluedo Best for after dinner
Work out which suspect, weapon and room are in the envelope by making suggestions and noting what other players show you. The answer changes every game. Not played it for years? Our guide to playing and winning at Cluedo covers the rules.
What works
- Everyone gets to play detective
- Plays with two to six
- A different answer every game
Not so good
- Dice rolls can slow your progress
- A full table can drag
5 OF 6
Jenga Best for all ages
Pull a block from lower in the 54-block tower, place it on top and hope it stays up. A round takes only minutes, and beginners can beat experts because it needs a steady hand rather than special knowledge.
What works
- Almost nothing to learn
- Suits groups of almost any size
- A round takes only minutes
Not so good
- Better for short bursts than long sessions
- The digital die adds twists, so read the rules in the box
6 OF 6
Monopoly Best for a long afternoon
Buy properties, collect rent and build houses and hotels to drive your rivals into bankruptcy. The buying, selling and trading give everyone something to do between dice rolls, and one good deal can swing the whole game.
What works
- Plenty of table talk and deal-making
- Children comfortable with money and counting can join in
- Everyone has something to do between rolls
Not so good
- A game can last from an hour to several hours
- The dice and cards decide a lot
The six games side by side
| Game | Play time | Game type | Best for | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pictionary | 15–30 mins | Cooperative | Teams and mixed ages | £13.33 | View deal |
| Uno | Under 15 mins | Action | Big, mixed-age groups | £5.00 | View deal |
| Trivial Pursuit Family | 30–60 mins | Trivia | Quiz fans and mixed ages | £19.99 | View deal |
| Cluedo | 30–60 mins | Strategy | An evening in | £17.49 | View deal |
| Jenga | Under 15 mins | Action, strategy | Every age at once | £9.99 | View deal |
| Monopoly | 1–2 hours or more | Luck, strategy | A long, unhurried afternoon | £21.19 | View deal |
Questions
What is the best family game for Christmas Day?
Pictionary is our all-rounder: it is played in teams, takes a minute to explain and works across ages. If you want something quicker, try Uno, and if your family loves a quiz, Trivial Pursuit Family Edition has separate kids’ and adults’ questions.
Which games work for a big group?
Uno plays with anything from two to ten, Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit can be played in teams, and Jenga suits groups of almost any size. Cluedo plays with two to six, so a bigger table may need to split into teams or take turns.
What can everyone play, from young children to grandparents?
Jenga and Uno have almost nothing to learn, so they are the safest choices, and Pictionary works because nobody needs to draw well. For more ideas, see our best games for grandparents and grandchildren.
What if we only have 20 minutes?
Uno and Jenga both play in rounds of under 15 minutes, so you can fit one in between courses and presents. Save Monopoly for when you have the whole afternoon.
Can I give these as Christmas gifts?
Five of the six are marked as gift ideas on our site, and Monopoly is the exception. Browse our gift guides for more ideas by age and budget.