Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a family game. Get the clan together and let the fun commence with one of these party-makers

COUNT ON THIS

Matt Tidbury, of Didcot, started developing a board game to teach his children maths. They have now left school but his zombie invasion board game this year won three gold awards at the UK Games Expo. City of Zombies took the top prize for best numeracy game, best family game and players’ choice.

Up to six players work together and roll dice to try to eliminate ranks of flesh-eating zombies as they march up the board. The game, recommended for ages eight and up, lasts roughly half an hour.

City of Zombies is available from cityofzombies.com for £29.99.

HOME TURF

Strategy game Dreaming Spires was created by Jeremy Hogan, 29, and his team after he was inspired by the Oxford’s “romantic” atmosphere in his time studying philosophy at University College. Requiring three to five players, ages 10 and over, the game’s timeline begins in 1189 and covers four different eras in which players must try to develop their college.

Dreaming Spires, £35.99, at Blackwell’s, Oxford

THINK FAST

This game’s all about thinking on your feet when you’re asked to name three things within five seconds.

5 Second Rule, £14.53, Amazon (amazon.co.uk)

SCRAMBLING SANTA

Perfect for kids from eight years and up, little ones get to take on the role of Santa and attempt to deliver all the presents in time.

Santa’s Rooftop Scramble, currently reduced to £20 from £25, Littlewoods (littlewoods.com)

A-MAZE YOUR FRIENDS

Be the first to collect all your treasures by shifting the walls of the labyrinth to create a clear path. Labyrinth, currently reduced to £14.99 from £19.99, Argos (argos.co.uk)

SAY WHAT YOU SEE

Taken from the popular TV series, players have to name the phrases to win the game.

Catch Phrase, £19.99, Toys R Us (toysrus.co.uk)

THE FAME GAME

Giving the iconic board game a 21st-century celebrity makeover, you and your family can transform into supermodels, singers, movie stars or even a professional athlete.

The Game Of Life Fame Edition, £20, Very (very.co.uk)

CALL ME

A fun board game of risky business built on the high drama of buying and selling famous brands for vast sums of money.

Logo Billionaire, currently reduced to £14.53 from £24.99, Toys R Us (toysrus.co.uk)

MONOLPOLIZING MONSTERS

Just like Monolpoly Junior but with a Monsters University twist: great for any family members who enjoy classic board games.

Monsters University Monopoly Junior, £19.99, Toys R Us (toysrus.co.uk)

DRAW YOUR WEAPONS

This crazy photo drawing game is great fun for all the family.

Photoloco, currently reduced to £8.40 from £14, Tesco (tesco.com/direct)

TELLY-TASTIC

It might not be quite as good minus Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, but you can certainly recreate this brilliant game show just a few paces from the mince pies.

Pointless, £19.99, Toys R Us (toysrus.co.uk)

MASTER OF THE QUIZ

Great for families travelling at Christmas, This Pink Edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire comes in a handy travel size but still contains over 600 questions.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire The Pink Edition, £10.34, Tesco (tesco.com/direct)

Oxford Mail:
Jeremy Hogan with Dreaming Spires

CHOC FEST

The classic card game with extra chocolates: what’s not to love?

Uno Chocolate Edition, £9.99, Amazon (amazon.co.uk)

MISS SCARLETT WITH THE LEAD PIPING

Who doesn’t have fond memories of Cluedo? Play your favourite detective and work out the biggest board game mystery.

Cluedo, £16.99, Argos (argos.co.uk)

BRAIN TRAINING

An all-time classic and suitable for people with all kinds of different skills, from drama queens and wordsmiths, to quiz fans and arty types.

Cranium, currently reduced to £13.60 from £17, Debenhams (debenhams.com)

UP & DOWN

Suitable for all the family, no childhood is complete without a few games of old classic snakes and ladders.

Ridley’s Snakes And Ladders And Ludo, £11.95, Amazon (amazon.co.uk)

TWIST 'N' SHOUT

Everyone loves Twister, right? Well now you can buy a version with a 1D spin, perfect for tweens and teens.

One Direction Twister, £19.99, Ocado (ocado.com)

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