Best Christmas Board Games for Hours of Family Fun 2024

By Laura N. Larsson
November 2024

The holiday season is the perfect time to gather the family around the table for some classic board game fun. Whether you want a cooperative adventure, a laugh-out-loud party game, or a strategic challenge, there's something for every kind of family. Below is a list of the best Christmas board games to keep everyone entertained, complete with pros, cons, prices, ratings, and links to similar games. To make it even easier, I've also included a handy comparison table at the end.

1. Codenames

Age Range: 10+
Price: $20-$25
Rating: 8.2/10

Pros:

Encourages teamwork and communication
Easy to learn and quick to play
Great for larger groups

Cons:

Requires a good group dynamic for maximum enjoyment
Not as fun with fewer players

Similar Games: Just One, Decrypto

2. Ticket to Ride

Age Range: 8+
Price: $40-$50
Rating: 8.5/10

Pros:

Easy for new players to pick up
Beautiful components and board design
Appeals to a wide age range

Cons:

Can become repetitive after several plays
Limited player interaction

Similar Games: Catan, Carcassonne

3. Azul

Age Range: 8+
Price: $30-$40
Rating: 8.0/10

Pros:

Beautiful components and simple rules
Strategic yet easy to learn
Engaging for all ages

Cons:

Can become competitive and a bit aggressive for younger children
Analysis paralysis might slow the game down

Similar Games: Sagrada, Calico

4. Catan

Age Range: 10+
Price: $45-$55
Rating: 8.3/10

Pros:

High replay value with lots of player interaction
Expansions available to keep gameplay fresh
Great for strategic thinking

Cons:

Can lead to intense competition and arguments
Requires a minimum of 3 players for optimal enjoyment

Similar Games: Ticket to Ride, Risk

5. Just One

Age Range: 8+
Price: $15-$20
Rating: 7.9/10

Pros:

Simple to explain and play
Cooperative gameplay is perfect for families
Fun for a wide range of age groups

Cons:

Limited replayability due to repeated word prompts
Requires creativity that may frustrate some players

Similar Games: Codenames, Telestrations

6. Santa's Workshop

Age Range: 10+
Price: $30-$40
Rating: 7.5/10

Pros:

Festive theme perfect for Christmas
Engaging worker placement mechanics
Good balance between strategy and luck

Cons:

Gameplay may feel repetitive after a few plays
Limited player count (best with 3-4 players)

Similar Games: The Game of Life, Everdell

7. Telestrations

Age Range: 12+
Price: $20-$30
Rating: 8.1/10

Pros:

Hilarious for groups and leads to plenty of laughs
Great for a wide range of ages
Encourages creativity

Cons:

Not ideal for smaller groups
Requires players who are comfortable drawing (or at least attempting to draw)

Similar Games: Pictionary, Just One

Comparison Table of Christmas Board Games

Game	Age Range	Price	Rating	Pros	Cons	Similar Games
Codenames	10+	$20-$25	8.2/10	Teamwork, easy to learn	Not as fun with fewer players	Just One, Decrypto
Ticket to Ride	8+	$40-$50	8.5/10	Easy to learn, beautiful design	Limited player interaction	Catan, Carcassonne
Azul	8+	$30-$40	8.0/10	Beautiful components, strategic	Competitive, analysis paralysis	Sagrada, Calico
Catan	10+	$45-$55	8.3/10	High replay value, expansions	Can cause arguments, best with 3+ players	Ticket to Ride, Risk
Just One	8+	$15-$20	7.9/10	Simple, cooperative	Limited replayability, creativity needed	Codenames, Telestrations
Santa's Workshop	10+	$30-$40	7.5/10	Festive, worker placement	Repetitive, limited player count	The Game of Life, Everdell
Telestrations	12+	$20-$30	8.1/10	Hilarious, creative	Not ideal for small groups	Pictionary, Just One

No matter which game you choose, each of these options is sure to bring joy and fun to your family gatherings this Christmas. With games for all age ranges, preferences, and group sizes, there's something here to make your holiday gaming a memorable experience.