2025 Holidays Gifting of Board Games For Ages Two and Up to Adult Goes Way Beyond Candyland and Monopoly

If you ask me what board games I have in my house to play with grandchildren, you will know that it immediately dates me. However, I do believe that we grandparents still need to play the following with our grandchildren, the subject of previous blog posts, and also explore the new games for children and adults now available for the holidays 2025.

Monopoly 

We missed National Monopoly Day November 19, but always have a set handy. See, previous blog post, National Monopoly Day Rollout of New Playing Pieces Shows The Board Game’s Continuing popularity 

 Catan 

Again, introduced by my grandchildren. It is deserving of its own blog, post explaining everything about it.

See, previous blog post, You and Those You Love Playing Games With Will Be “Transformed” by Catan, an Award Winning Board Game Created By Klaus Teuber and Played Around the World

Exploding Kittens 

Introduced to me by my grandson.  Exploding Kittens Card Game is the consistently one of the top board games on Amazon.  You need at least three people to play it best, but I have played with just two players.  The game does require strategy to avoid losing by not being able to neutralize an exploding kitten card.  The best thing is that it is a card game that moves quickly, comes in a small box and travels well, and, for this Grandma, took an eight year old and twelve year old away from their electronics. All ages. Buy on Amazon.

And more favorites that our family loves and takes on vacation everywhere around the world, playing until we say we’re not playing it again for a long time, and play it the next time we are together.

Rummikub

Our adult friends have competitions. This game never gets old. We own this set for SIX players at one time. Buy on Amazon.

Copag Playing Cards

Last for the past, I saw an Instagram on these Copag playing cards, and bought them. They are long lasting, easy to shuffle, playing cards, highly recommended, in jumbo print for us grandparents, so we can teach the games of hearts, gin rummy, and play good oldies like War.

Even pick up an automatic card shuffler on Amazon. Not the best working, but great to have as it is a toy in and of itself for younger grandchildren who have a tougher time shuffling.

Now to the new games for 2025

After reading many articles on the newest games that will appeal age 2+ to adults, which will also definitely appeal to our teenage and young adult grandchildren, I’ve selected three WIRECUTTER articles to share. After reading each, I think you can guess what I intend to buy for the holiday 2025 the only one that appears on both adult lists.

I love WIRECUTTER, a recommendation service owned by The New York Times and their reviews and find them reliable. They spend “years researching, learning, teaching, and playing more than 150 games to find the best options for different players and situations. We’ve collected the best of the best here, which makes this a perfect place to start if you’re looking for a new game.”

Board Games We Love for Kids and Families (ages 2+)

WIRECUTTER Updated October 10, 2025

Describes each game, age group, how to play, as well as review. Way beyond Candyland, “focused on games published more recently. We also didn’t set out to list all of the best kids games, because there are too many excellent ones. Instead, we’re highlighting games that introduce kids (and grown-ups) to new genres, help them build skills, and offer provocative and age-appropriate challenges, engaging themes, and unique designs.”

The Best Beginner Board Games for Adults

WIRECUTTER Updated October 7, 2025

These board games introduce game genre and, another term I was unfamiliar with related to board games, core game mechanics.  The article introduces you to key terms and a few key genre, which will be “fun, engaging experiences that also happen to exemplify game mechanic or paly style.  Their relative simplicity helps beginners learn basic board concepts, and while they’re easy to learn, they’re fun to master.”  Now you know why WIRECUTTER is a wonderful resource.  Who knew about core game mechanics?

The Best Board Games

WIRECUTTER Updated October 24, 2025

Of course, WIRECUTTER starts off with that there is no best board game for most people, but with their research and “playing more than 150 games to find the best options for different players and situations.”  Again.”…[they] have collected the best of the best here, which makes this a perfect place to start if you’re looking for a new game.”

HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR BOARD GAMES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

With

Joy,

Mema