Most Gifted Board Games of the Year - Our TOP Selection

Welcome, board game enthusiasts! As we approach the festive season, it's time to unveil our top picks for the most gifted board games of the year. Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or even treating yourself, these games are sure to provide hours of entertainment. Let's dive into our carefully curated selection, shall we?

1. Mattel Games UNO

Kicking off our list is the timeless classic, UNO. Priced at approximately £6.99 (subject to offers and price variations), this card game is a staple in any game night collection. Suitable for 2 to 10 players aged 7 and up, UNO is perfect for family gatherings or as a travel companion. The simple yet addictive gameplay of matching colours and numbers keeps players engaged for hours. I've found that UNO is particularly brilliant for breaking the ice at parties - there's nothing quite like the shared joy (or frustration) of a well-timed "Draw Four" card!

2. TOMY Pop Up Pirate

Next up is the TOMY Pop Up Pirate, a delightful action board game priced at around £9.99 (remember, prices may vary). This game is a hit with children aged 4 to 8, but don't be surprised if adults find themselves drawn into the suspense! Players take turns inserting plastic swords into a barrel, hoping not to be the one who makes the pirate pop. In my experience, the anticipation builds with each turn, often resulting in fits of giggles when the pirate finally springs up. It's a simple concept, but the excitement it generates is priceless.

3. Goliath Games Sequence

For those who enjoy a bit of strategy mixed with luck, Sequence is an excellent choice. With an approximate price of £19.98 (subject to change), this game offers great value for money. Suitable for 2 or more players aged 7 and up, Sequence combines elements of board games and card games. Players aim to create five-in-a-row sequences on the board using cards from their hand. I've found that Sequence is a great way to develop strategic thinking skills while still being accessible enough for family play.

4. Czech Games Edition Codenames

Moving on to a more modern classic, we have Codenames. Priced at around £13.97 (prices may vary), this party game is designed for 2 to 8 players aged 10 and up. Codenames is a word-guessing game where two teams compete to identify their agents from a grid of words. As a frequent host of game nights, I can attest to Codenames' ability to get everyone involved and thinking creatively. The 15-minute playing time makes it perfect for multiple rounds or as a warm-up for longer gaming sessions.

5. Kids Against Maturity

For families who enjoy a bit of cheeky humour, Kids Against Maturity is a fantastic choice. With an approximate price of £14.99 (subject to offers), this card game brings laughter to family game nights. While the name might suggest otherwise, the content is actually kid-friendly, offering a more wholesome alternative to similar adult-oriented games. In my experience, this game is a great way to encourage creativity and humour in children while keeping adults entertained too.

6. Catan Studios Catan

No board game list would be complete without Catan. Priced at around £39.98 (prices may fluctuate), this strategy game is designed for 3 to 4 players aged 10 and up. Players compete to establish settlements on the resource-rich island of Catan. As someone who's spent countless hours negotiating trades and building roads, I can confirm that Catan's blend of strategy, luck, and social interaction makes for an engaging 60-minute play session every time.

7. Bananagrams

For word game enthusiasts, Bananagrams is a must-have. With an approximate price of £12.74 (subject to change), this fast-paced word game is suitable for 2 to 6 players aged 7 and up. The game's portability and quick 15-minute playing time make it perfect for travel or quick gaming sessions. I've found Bananagrams to be an excellent way to improve vocabulary and spelling skills while having a blast.

8. Skillmatics Card Game - Guess in 10 Animal Planet

For animal lovers and trivia buffs, the Guess in 10 Animal Planet card game is a fantastic choice. Priced at approximately £11.16 (prices may vary), this educational game is perfect for children aged 6 to 9. Players attempt to guess animals based on clues, encouraging learning about wildlife in a fun, interactive way. As an aunt who often babysits, I've found this game to be a great way to keep kids entertained while sneaking in some education.

9. Z-Man Games Pandemic

For those who enjoy cooperative gameplay, Pandemic is an excellent choice. With an approximate price of £28.45 (subject to offers), this strategy game is designed for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Players work together as disease-fighting specialists to save humanity from four deadly diseases. Having played Pandemic numerous times, I can attest to its ability to foster teamwork and critical thinking skills during its 45-minute play sessions.

10. Learning Resources Kanoodle

For puzzle lovers, Kanoodle offers a brain-teasing challenge. Priced at around £12.96 (prices may fluctuate), this 3D puzzle game features 200 logic challenges suitable for ages 7 and up. As someone who enjoys a good mental workout, I've found Kanoodle to be an excellent way to improve spatial reasoning skills while providing hours of solo entertainment.

11. Mattel Games Classic Scrabble

No board game collection is complete without Scrabble. While the price was not provided, this classic word game is typically affordable and offers great value. Designed for 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up, Scrabble challenges players to create words on a grid for points. As a lifelong Scrabble player, I can attest to its ability to improve vocabulary and strategic thinking skills.

12. Mindware Qwirkle UK Edition

For those who enjoy pattern recognition games, Qwirkle is an excellent choice. Priced at approximately £22.99 (subject to change), this game is suitable for 2 to 4 players aged 5 and up. Players score points by creating rows and columns of matching colours or shapes. In my experience, Qwirkle's simple rules but deep strategy make it enjoyable for both children and adults during its 45-minute play sessions.

13. Space Cowboys Splendor

For those who enjoy economic strategy games, Splendor is a gem. With an approximate price of £29.99 (prices may vary), this game is designed for 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up. Players take on the role of Renaissance merchants, using gems to acquire development cards and build their prestige. As someone who enjoys games with multiple paths to victory, I've found Splendor's 30-minute playtime to be perfect for quick yet satisfying gaming sessions.

14. Drumond Park Articulate

For those who enjoy fast-paced description games, Articulate is a must-have. Priced at around £17.99 (subject to offers), this family board game is suitable for 4 to 20+ players aged 12 and up. Players race against the clock to describe words from various categories to their teammates. As someone who's hosted numerous game nights, I can attest to Articulate's ability to get even the quietest players talking and laughing.

15. Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride Europe

Last but certainly not least, we have Ticket to Ride Europe. With an approximate price of £34.99 (prices may fluctuate), this strategy game is designed for 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up. Players compete to build train routes across Europe, scoring points for completed tickets and longest continuous route. Having played both the original and European versions, I can confidently say that Ticket to Ride Europe offers a perfect blend of strategy and accessibility for 30-60 minute gaming sessions.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Our top selection of the most gifted board games of the year. Whether you're looking for fast-paced word games, strategic challenges, or cooperative adventures, there's something here for every type of player. Remember, the joy of board games lies not just in winning, but in the shared experience and memories created. So gather your friends and family, pick a game from this list, and let the fun begin!

Happy gaming!