10 Best Family Games Christmas 2025: Top Picks Reviewed
Looking for the best family games christmas has to offer? Gather everyone and enjoy these top picks for laughter-filled holiday fun together.
Ho ho holy moly, picking the best family games christmas isn’t for the faint of heart—or those easily distracted by leftover gingerbread. We focus on games that bring everyone together, even your aunt who still calls UNO ‘that wild card thing.’ Our list spotlights board games that are fun, easy to learn, and perfect for players aged 7 to 107. Whether you like solving mysteries, building snowmen, or fighting for the last Christmas cookie, you’ll find something here to keep the holiday spirit (and possibly some sibling rivalry) alive. Ready to make this Christmas unforgettable? Let’s get started!
On this list:
10 Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries
We once tried to set up this game while a pot of Christmas cider was brewing, and believe us, the experience fit so well! Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries shines during the holidays thanks to its cozy snowy routes, easy-to-learn rules, and friendly competition. We love that it lets everyone—grandparents or kids—jump right in and start collecting train cards. No one has to be a master strategist to have fun here, plus the wintery artwork actually gets everyone in the festive spirit. It’s a safe pick for family gatherings, even if your uncle insists on explaining the rules wrong. That always seems to happen, right?
9 Patchwork: Christmas Edition
Patchwork: Christmas Edition brings two things to the table: a fun two-player challenge and so many cute Santas and snowflakes, you might get a sugar rush. The puzzle is simple—fit quirky Tetris shapes onto your board—but every time we play, someone turns into a holiday Grinch if they get stuck with the worst button patch. This version is perfect when you want a quieter family moment or that head-to-head matchup after the little ones crash from Christmas cookie overdose. The Christmas theme makes us want to wear ugly sweaters every time we set it up.
8 Ice Cool
If you want a family game with penguins, flicking, and pure chaos, look no further. Ice Cool makes everyone laugh as we try (and fail) to flick our penguins through the right door. Someone always flicks too hard and flies off the table—bonus points if they land in the snack bowl! It’s super easy to teach, and even our grumpy cousin joined in last Christmas. It’s lively, silly, and filled with bad puns. What more could you want for best family games christmas?
7 Santa’s Workshop
Santa’s Workshop is worker placement for beginners. Even our aunt, who normally only shows up for food, stayed to play this one through. You send elves around the workshop, collect resources, and build toys for Santa’s sleigh. It’s a good mix of planning and luck, and the theme is so strong you might start humming carols. The rules are simple enough for new gamers, and it’s a nice step up from classics like Monopoly, without causing family drama. Expect plenty of, “Why does your elf get all the good stuff?!”
6 Coup: Reformation
We picked Coup: Reformation because it keeps the tension and bluffing just like Love Letter, but with even more chaos and table drama. It’s quick, easy to learn, and perfect for families who like to mess with each other while pretending they’re not. Best of all? It’s easy to find on BoardGameGeek and it fits the best family games christmas vibe without any Santa suits required.
5 EXIT: The Game – The Advent Calendar: The Mystery of the Ice Cave
This one is for families who like a puzzle with their Christmas countdown! We tackled EXIT: The Advent Calendar as a group last year, snooping through clues every day. It adds a special excitement to each morning, and solving puzzles together became the highlight of our December. It can get tricky here and there, but teaming up makes it more fun. Plus, it’s way more memorable than a chocolate a day (and fewer calories, unless you keep snacking anyway).
4 Codenames: Pictures
Codenames: Pictures gives us the same fun guessing and hint-giving vibe as Concept. You have to connect images with clues, which sparks lots of laughs, wild guesses, and the occasional groan when your family completely misses your obvious hints. It’s easy to learn and works well for big groups, making it one of the best family games christmas can offer.
3 Snowman Dice
Snowman Dice is pure chaotic energy. We dumped the dice on the table and everyone scrambled to build their snowmen fast—while chucking snowballs at each other’s creations! Fast, silly, and easy to learn, it’s the best way to burn off post-dinner energy. The dice rolling gets wild, but winning always comes down to a little luck and a lot of laughter. It’s compact too, so you can take it to Grandma’s whether she likes it or not.
2 Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman
If your family loves games like Jungle Speed and Spot It, Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman is made for you. We’ve played this at nearly every Christmas since discovering it, and someone always gets tongue-tied calling out the wrong word. You need sharp eyes, quick reflexes, and no fear of looking silly. Rounds are super fast, so you can play between opening gifts or waiting for dinner. It’s become a holiday tradition for us!
1 Just One
Just One wins our pick for best family games christmas because it’s pure joy every time. We played a dozen rounds last Christmas Eve, and everyone from the youngest cousin to Grandpa joined in. The game needs you to give clues for words without matching anyone else. It’s fast, fuss-free, and always hilarious when someone gives ‘helpful’ hints that make no sense (thanks Aunt Carol). It’s also perfect for big groups, which is rare for good family games. With all the laughs and teamwork, we can’t think of a better game for Christmas!
