OLD Best board games for Christmas 2018

Board games are a staple of the festive period for many families, the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Whether it’s an established favourite with a modern twist you’re after or something to get the whole family on their feet, shops are bursting with fun games to play to bring the family together.

As well as spending some quality time with loved ones, settling down for a bit of healthy competition is also a great way to relax and put down your phones and tablets for a while, reducing your screen time.

Since it’s Christmas, and a time for good will and cheer, we’ve settled on a handful of games that aren’t too competitive but are still enough to sow the seeds of a family feud. Just kidding, they’re games to bring the whole family together in the most wonderfully competitive time of the year.

There are games based on our favourite shows for the television obsessed, card games for the keen collectors, word games and trivia tests for the brainy and some messy fun for the youngest generation. Some of the games do require a bit of set up and learning, but they’re all worth it, while others are good to go when you rip off the plastic on Christmas morning.

From classic games with a hidden surprise to the ultimate tests of knowledge, here are our favourites.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Board Game

Based on the popular show, the Strictly Come Dancing board game gives players the chance to climb up the staircase, complete training levels and make it all the way to the live final. Along the way, you answer show trivia, perform dances and give your scores in a bid to get your hands on the glitterball trophy.

£19.99 | Amazon | Buy it now

Monopoly: Cheaters Edition

An absolute classic board game, and a fixture of many Christmas Day’s up and down the country, is sure to cause more tension than usual this year with a brand new edition encouraging slight-of-hand. Yes, calling cheaters everywhere – this is the game for you! Short of money? “Borrow” it from the bank. Need one more property for a set? Steal it when nobody is looking. Somebody broken your set? Distract them and take the deed.

£21.99 | Argos | Buy it now

The Movie Misquote Game

The ultimate game for movie lovers – and those with a keen memory for quotes – is a hot take on Cards Against Humanity. One player picks a famous quote and other players fill in the rest of the phrase with quotes written on their card. The funniest movie mash-up wins the round. Or, for an alternative way to play, simply have other players guess the film your quote is from.

£18.14 | Amazon | Buy it now

Trivial Pursuit: Classic Edition

Swap the cheeseboard for wedges of a different kind as you get the family together to test your trivia. The classic edition of Trivial Pursuit is great for all ages, with all the traditional categories from History to Art & Literature to Sport to Entertainment. And as well as being educational, it’s a good one for nostalgia fans as one of he few games that has stood the test of time.

£24.99 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Pie Face Cannon!

Exactly as it sounds, you have to be prepared to take flying food to the face with this fun party game. It requires some set up, and you have to provide your own whipped cream, but it’s pretty straightforward once you’ve got all the parts together. Players spin the spinner and the one with the highest number picks their target. The unlucky chosen one must try block their messy fate with the plastic hand provided.

£10 | Amazon | Buy it now

Dangerous Experiments for After Dinner

Packed neatly in a skull-crossed red box, these Dangerous Experiments will certainly liven up the small hours of Christmas – although they may not get you invited back next year. There are 21 cards to pick from, each with a detailed “trick” to perform. They range from yanking the tablecloth off to.playing with food. Guests, beware. And maybe stand back when somebody attempts burning money after a few drinks.

£14.99 | Waterstones | Buy it now

Come Together: The Rock Bands Game

The simple card game is a must-play for rock band fans. Each player – up to 6 people can join in – is drawn their starting deck of five before placing the rest of the cards down in the middle. The aim of the game is to collect as many sets – four band members in each – as possible. To do this, player’s either ask gamemates for their desired card or draws from the deck.

£15 | Selfridges | Sold out

£15 | Amazon | Buy it now

The Very Merry Christmas Game

This board game is covered in festive spirit, perfect for Christmas afternoon. The simple game for four players, although playable with two or three, sends you around the board picking up present cards and pulling crackers (you can use real ones if you have them!). You play until your stocking is filled before totalling up the stars on your gift cards. The player with the highest total wins – unless you have two spouts, which declare you the winner.

£20 | Debenhams | Buy it now

The Crystal Maze: The Board Game

The iconic gameshow has enjoyed a resurgence of late with a TV reboot and a live experience. And now you can join in from the comfort of your living room with the official board game. It takes a bit of set up, and you might have to read the rules several times, but the teams travel through the four zones – Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic – completely challenges in a bid to secure a long stay in the Crystal Dome.

£25.43 | Amazon | Buy it now

Bananagrams

No gaming session is complete without a word game and Bananagrams is the perfect literative way to spend your time. It’s easy to play, just set the tiles flat on a table and start building your word grid. And, without a board and with its own banana case, it’s the most portable game ever – perfect for long journeys and holidays over the festive period.

£14.99 | Argos | Buy it now

The Dingo Dollar Quiz

A simple must have for any I’m A Celebrity fan, The Dingo Dollar Quiz is easy to play. Simply nominate a Kiosk Kev and take turns answering multiple choice questions. If you get it correct, you get a Dingo Dollar. But, if you get it wrong, there are less than appetizing mealworms on offer.

£8.70 | Amazon | Buy it now

Cluedo

A classic game for a classic Christmas board game session – but with a twist, there’s a new suspect called Dr Orchid. Gather the family round the table for a game of Cluedo, the ultimate murder mystery – was it Professor Plum with the spanner in the library? Reverend Green with candlesticks in the study? Time to find out.

£13.40 | Argos | Buy it now

Catch Phrase

Put your knowledge of catch phrases to the test with this board game, based on the popular show.. Take turns to guess at regular catch phrases and play along to try crack the super catch phrase, earning money as you go. But watch your speed, the timer is running!

£13.99 | Amazon | Buy it now