I tried out the best new games to buy this Christmas – my whole family loved playing the winning one

CHRISTMAS is the perfect time to spend quality time with loved ones - and what better way to bond than over a board game.

And whilst there are lots of old favourites such as Monopoly, December 2024 brings with it a whole new array of games many of which are perfect for some festive giggles.

Lots of us will find a game wrapped up under the tree.

But if you are thinking of buying a game for someone, which will bring the most Christmas joy?

Lynsey Hope tried a range of new games and here, she shares her verdict.

Grandad Tickle Toes

• £19.99, Smyths Toys
• Age: 4+ 

A modern day Operation or Pop Up Pirate, this game is designed for two to four players Simply stack items on a resting grandad without disturbing him.

Tickle him too much and he simply can't control himself, his newspaper and blanket are sent into the air, throwing your items everywhere.

The first player to stack all their items on Grandad without startling him is the winner.

Easy to play and made the kids giggle every time grandad threw his arms in the air. They've already played with it a lot.

• Rating: 9/10

Go Viral

• £14.99, Smyths Toys
• Age: 8+

A fun game where you take on some of the biggest social media challenges to date such as the Pancake Pass or Paper Roll challenge.

You can do this alone, head-to-head or you can work as a group.

There are over 40 challenges to attempt, all of which were hilarious to attempt and the large variety kept the novelty factor.

A great option for nights with your friends or family.

The game was quick to set up and get started and the cards were easy to understand.

They also had QR codes to videos to show the challenges if you weren't sure.

The game includes a tripod so you can record your attempts on your phone if you like.

• Rating: 7/10

Genius Square XL

• £34.99, Smart Toys and Games
• Age: 8+

Really gets your brain thinking, this is the perfect game for anyone who loves puzzles.

From primary school age to grandparents, the whole family will enjoy this.

You can play on your own or in pairs and it gets very competitive.

The XL game has slightly larger blocks than the original and is easier for old or young fingers to handle.

It's durable and good quality - after lots of use, this is still in perfect condition.

• Rating: 8/10

Lego Monkey Palace

• £34.99, John Lewis
• Age: 10+

An absolutely fantastic game for Lego lovers, this game asks you to build your way to victory "brick by brick".

Players have to help rebuild an abandoned monkey palace whilst collecting monkey credits and banana points.

The player with the most bananas points wins. Two to four people can play and it takes around 45 minutes a game.

A little tricky for younger players but super fun and sure to go down a treat with Lego fans.

• Rating: 10/10

Disney Chronicles of Light Darkness Falls

• £23.99, Amazon
• Age: 8+

A brand new Disney game which is all about Disney heroines coming together to save the day.

Players get to pick from four characters, Belle, Moana, Maid Marian and Violet Parr from The Incredibles.

There are quite a few pieces but it's relatively easy to understand and older children got to grips with it quite quickly.

It helped that all the rules were clearly bullet-pointed out on cards and in the rulebook - if you got lost, it was quite easy to find the answer.

You move across the board, bring items to places and roll dice in combat.

There are tons of combinations, quests and maps to discover. I found it worked better with more players.

A magical game which my daughters in particular loved.

• Rating: 6/10

Feeder Frenzy

• £15.99, Smyths Toys
• Age: 6+

A super fun game that involves a race to fling your sticky squirrels at the birdfeeder at the centre of the table.

The aim is to hit the target and then it's a free-for-all to grab as many nuts as you can that fall out of the feeder and take them back to your nest.

The squirrel with the most nuts at the end of the game wins.

Easy to set up, the kids could manage it themselves, and all you have to do to play again is refill the feeder and the fun begins again.

The girls loved it and played over and over. A real hit.

• Rating: 6/10

Sosig

• £7.99, Amazon
• Age: 10+

One of the best things about this is the size.

It's tiny, so a great option if you are tight on space or want something that can fit into a stocking.

Good for travelling, too. Easy to play and a game only takes five minutes or so.

There is strategy involved so you do need to work on your tactics.

There is fun along the way as you get to burn and bite each other's sausages. Budget-friendly, too.

• Rating: 7/10

Minecraft Chess Set

• £55, Noble Collection
• Age: 8+

A thrilling sight for any Minecraft fans, this is not cheap but it's beautifully crafted - almost a piece of art as much as a game.

The chess board is 18inches square with a wood-like frame and a "grass" surface and it features 32 game pieces that resemble marbled stone, obsidian, redstone or emerald.

You can choose to play as the friendly Overworld characters or the dark hostile mobs.

It does require a bit of assembly, there are four interlocking quadrants which have to be put together but this does mean it can be taken down for storage.

• Rating: 8/10

Brains Vs Brawn

• £19.99, Gift Republic
• Age: 10+

Super fun, this game combines mental challenges with physical tasks and was endless fun.

Players go head to head, one tackling a brain-teasing question and one doing a physical challenge and the others have to bet on who they think will win.

Players are eliminated as the game progresses and only the strongest or smartest will claim victory.

Worth noting you do need at least three players to take part - and the more people involved, the more fun this became.

• Rating: 9/10

Harry Potter Wooden Tumbling Tower

• £9.99, Miniso Shop
• Age: 3+

A mini Jenga-type game for budding wizards!

The bricks are divided into the colour of the Harry Potter houses and whether you are a Gryffindor or a Slytherin, you'll enjoy this.

You simply have to remove bricks and see who can keep the tower standing the longest.

It's good quality for the price and a great budget option.

Small to store away too. Get ready to stack, balance, and tumble with a touch of Hogwarts magic!

• Rating: 7/10

13 Beavers

• £21.99, Waterstones
• Age: 7+

Not sure this is something I would have picked off the shelf, but actually, it was a real hit.

The premise is easy - you simply have to decide whether the number on the card will be higher or lower than the card before.

But this creates a lot of tension and whilst a correct guess gets you moving forward, an incorrect one sends you back to your dam to await another turn.

The beavers move along the waves and there are various obstacles including wolves and lava spots along the way, though they don't hold you up for long.

It felt good quality and one round took about 15 minutes to play. Thoroughly enjoyable.

• Rating: 9/10

Sausage Roll!

• £17.49, Amazon
• Age: 6+

A fast-paced game created by LadBaby stars, Mark and Roxanne Hoyle, who have had five Christmas number ones with their singles dedicated to sausage rolls.

Now they say their game is a great way to bring families together. It's easy to set up.

Simply unfold the mat, grab the foam sausage roll and throw it along the giant mat.

You have to complete tons of silly sausage roll challenges along the way, which include using it as a microphone and balancing it on one leg. If you like a complex game with depth, this isn't for you.

If you want a laugh and don't mind things getting a bit chaotic, you'll love this.

• Rating: 6/10

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