To compare escape room games by difficulty and player count, and find one that suits your group, see the escape room range at puzzles and games.

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.

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.

It is worth thinking about the setting too. Games with a drawstring bag or a tin survive being thrown in a rucksack better than a large flat box. For a caravan or a beach hut with limited space, pick a few small games rather than one big one, so you can match the game to the mood without taking up a whole shelf.

From about six upwards, children can handle puzzles with a bit more thinking. The Genius Square and Genius Star ask them to roll dice and fit shapes into a grid, which keeps them busy without needing anyone to read a long rulebook. Games like these also work solo, which is useful for a quiet half-hour or a long car journey.

The trick to a family game night that does not fall apart is picking games that work across ages. Younger children lose interest when a game runs too long, and older players switch off when the rules are too thin. A mix of one quick game, one party game and one slightly longer game usually keeps everyone at the table without anyone getting bored or overwhelmed.