These games are a good pick if you want screen-free play that travels well and does not need a long rulebook. You can compare the full Genius line-up and read how each version plays at brain teaser puzzles.

For the big family session, party and bluffing games carry the day. The Traitors board game and card game, both available from The Happy Puzzle Company, work well with a larger group because they turn on reading each other and keeping a straight face, which suits the after-dinner mood. Keep one of these back for the moment when everyone is round the table and looking for something to do together.

For a hand-picked selection of Christmas games and stocking-filler puzzles for every age, browse the seasonal range at brain teaser puzzles.

To see jigsaws grouped by piece count and theme, from first puzzles for toddlers to harder pieces for adults, take a look at the jigsaw collection at brain teaser puzzles.

Fast games are the backbone of the evening. Card and tile games such as Flip 7 and Mobi play in a few minutes, so a child who loses a round is straight back in for the next one. Dexterity and throwing games like Tossit get everyone up and moving, which helps if the little ones have been sitting still for a while. These are all available from The Happy Puzzle Company alongside its own titles.

Snakes and Ladders is one of the first board games most children learn, and for good reason. The rules could not be simpler: roll the dice, move your counter, climb a ladder if you land at the foot of one and slide back down if you meet a snake. There is no reading and no strategy to master, so even three and four-year-olds can join in and stand a fair chance of winning.