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 Happy Puzzle Company 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.

A good travel game earns its place in the bag by being compact and quick. You want something that sets up in seconds, plays in a few minutes and does not rely on a large board or dozens of loose pieces that scatter across a car footwell. Card games and self-contained puzzle games tend to win here, because everything stays in one small box or tin.

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

If you want a shortlist of games tested for family play and grouped by how long they take, browse the family and party games chosen by educational games for kids.

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.

For a shortlist of compact games that pack down small and set up fast, browse the travel-friendly games chosen by family board games.