The holiday season is right around the corner, and it’s time to think about gift-giving. Whether you’re participating in a playful gift exchange or looking for a thoughtful present, board games are an ideal choice. They bring people together, spark laughter, and create lasting memories.
Board games are more than just a gift; they’re an experience! They bring people together, encourage laughter and creativity, and offer something for everyone—casual players, hardcore strategists, or families looking for quality time.
During holiday gift exchanges, a board game can transform into an instant party activity or a memorable keepsake, perfect for those who want to give something unique and fun. To make your shopping easier, we’ve curated a list of top board games perfect for the holiday gift exchange!
Landmarks
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-10 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
Landmarks is a word game of hidden paths and clever clues. Your party is lost deep in an island jungle, relying on you to guide them to safety and treasure! In this jungle, every word matters. Use strategic wordplay to send a chain of one-word clues. The connections between them will create a path leading to fortune and glory. A great gift for anyone who enjoys cooperative party games.
Azul: Duel
Age: 10+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
If you’re shopping for strategy lovers or looking for an elegant, compact gift, Azul: Duel is a must. Inspired by the stunning original Azul, this two-player game focuses on creating gorgeous tile patterns while competing to assemble the most artistic design. Its blend of satisfying tactics and beautiful components makes it a standout gift.
Behind
Age: 10+ / Players: 1+ / Duration: >120 min
In Behind, you’ll find 3 puzzles to figure out. Each has its own logic and requires unique puzzle-solving abilities! During the game, you’ll have to observe all tiles that are available to you. Then use your logic to assemble them and, then, flip them to admire the result on the back! Perfect for Secret Santa or White Elephant exchanges as it appeals to both casual and experienced players!
Toy Battle
Age: 8+ / Players: 2 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
In Toy Battle, each player deploys toy troops on whimsical boards—from castles to jungles to space stations. Your goal: capture the opponent’s HQ or collect the most medals. An approachable game that’s great for mixed ages, Toy Battle is easy to bring out during the festive season to entertain the entire household.
Brick Like This!
Age: 7+ / Players: 2-8 / Duration: <15 minutes
In Brick Like This! Teams of two, one Instructor and one Builder, are tasked with buildng a shape out of LEGO bricks. The Instructor will tell the Builder how to build a shape on a Shape Card that only the Instructor can see. All teams play at the same time, racing to build their shapes the fastest. The winner is the team with the most points at the end of six rounds! Perfect for any gift exchange, this inventive game is especially well-suited for kids or creative families.
Perudo
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-6 / Duration: 15-30 minutes
In Perudo, you’ll have to use your cunning and skill to fool your opponents (with a dash of luck thrown in for good measure). Hide your 5 dice under your cup and then, at the top, shake it. Only you will know which draw you’ve got. Then the bluffing begins! With compact packaging and affordable price point, it’s an excellent choice for holiday gift exchanges—and you can instantly pull it out to energize the party.
Duplik
Age: 8+ / Players: 3-6 / Duration: 30-45 minutes
In Duplik, one player describes a picture while everyone else tries to draw it – but it’s not about being an artist! Players score points by matching hidden details from the original image. With 90 seconds to draw and lots of laughs guaranteed, Duplik is the perfect game for families, parties, and anyone who loves fun over perfection! It’s guaranteed to have everybody laughing, making it ideal for White Elephant or family gatherings.
That Sound Game
Age: 14+ / Players: 2+ / Duration: 30-45 minutes
That Sound Game is a fast-paced, interactive and very noisy party game.
The goal is to get your team to guess as many answers on the category cards as they can in a minute. Use any combination of sounds and movements, but your hands must be behind your back. You also get Lifelines. Use them strategically to help you win. Quick, funny, and lighthearted, this game works beautifully in family settings or as a budget-friendly gift.
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!
CATAN
Age: 10+ / Players: 3-4 / Duration: 60-120 minutes
Embark on a quest to settle the isle of Catan. Guide your settlers to victory by clever trading and cunning development. Use resource combinations to buy handy development cards and build roads, settlements, and cities. Acquire your resources through trades, cards, or lucky dice. But beware! Someone might cut off your road and you never know when the robber might steal some of your precious gains! If you know someone who hasn’t added this iconic game to their shelf yet, now’s your chance to make their holidays extra special!
Ticket to Ride
Age: 8+ / Players: 2-5 / Duration: 45-60 minutes
In every game, players must compete for train cards, which in turn allow them to run their trains between iconic American cities. Earn points for every completed route, but don’t forget to plan for the future: ticket cards can award more points if the two cities shown on the ticket are connected. It’s as fun for beginners as it is for seasoned players and works beautifully to bridge generational gaps at family gatherings.
This holiday season, take the stress out of shopping and bring excitement to your gift-giving with one of these incredible board games. They’re not just a present—they’re a chance to make new memories, spark joy, and share a few laughs. Whether for family, friends, or a festive party group, there’s something here for everyone.
Happy gifting and happy gaming! 🎄✨
Liked these games? Find out where you can find them, here.
