Part of what makes it work is the head-to-head option. Two players each take a grid, roll the 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.

If you like the Genius Square, the same puzzle idea runs through a small family of games. Genius Star adds a bonus mechanic and a different set of pieces, Genius Gems and Genius Connection change the shapes and the goal, and Bee Genius is pitched at younger children who are new to shape Jigsaw Puzzles. Each one keeps the roll-and-fill pattern while giving you a fresh challenge.

For a bigger group, party and bluffing games give teenagers and adults something to sink their teeth into. Titles such as The Traitors board game and card game, both available from The Happy Puzzle Company, lean on reading the room and second-guessing each other, which tends to spark the loudest laughs of the night. Keep one of these for when the whole family is together at Christmas or on a birthday.

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 family board games.

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.

By eight to twelve, most children enjoy games with a little strategy or a competitive edge. Word and number games, such as WordSnap XL, and family favourites like Snakes and Ladders in its bigger 3D versions give them something to plan around and enjoy together. Mixed-age families get on best with games that scale, so older and younger siblings can play the same round.