To compare word games by pace and age suitability, and see which reward speed versus vocabulary, take a look at the word games at The Happy Puzzle Company online.

Part of what makes it work is the head-to-head option. Two players each take a grid, roll The Happy Puzzle Company online same starting positions, then race to finish first. A single round takes only a few minutes, which makes it easy to fit in before dinner or on a rainy afternoon. It suits ages six and up, and adults tend to get just as competitive as the children.

To compare word games by pace and age suitability, and see which reward speed versus vocabulary, take a look at the word games at brain teaser puzzles.

Because it runs on luck rather than skill, the game levels the field across ages. A grandparent, a parent and a small child can all play the same round, and the youngest is just as likely to reach the top first. That makes it a reliable choice for family gatherings, and a gentle, low-pressure way to get the youngest players involved in a game night.

To see the traditional board alongside the 3D, giant and garden editions, have a look at the Snakes and Ladders range at brain games for adults.

Christmas is when board games and puzzles earn their keep. With the family together and a stretch of quiet days, a good game gets everyone off their phones and round the table, from the youngest cousin to the grandparents. The trick is having a mix ready: a quick game for the afternoon lull, a party game for the evening and a puzzle for someone who wants a quiet corner.

Brain teaser puzzles for adults come in a few broad styles. There are mechanical puzzles, such as interlocking metal or wooden pieces you have to take apart and put back together, logic puzzles that ask you to work out a single correct arrangement, and spatial puzzles where you fit shapes into a fixed space. Knowing which type someone enjoys makes it much easier to choose one they will actually sit down with.