Christmas Gift Guide: Puzzles and Games for the Whole Family

Christmas is the season of giving, but giving the right gift - especially the right puzzle or game - is easier said than done. Novelty socks might raise a smile, but nothing beats the look on someone's face when they unwrap a gift you got just right. The trouble is, finding that gift takes time, and between the carol singing, the turkey stuffing, and everything else the season demands, time is the one thing you probably don’t have much of. 

That's where we come in. We've been crafting puzzles and games that have found their way under Christmas trees since 1884, so we know a thing or two about finding the right Christmas present. Here you'll find gifts for the whole family, from toddlers taking their first steps to the impossible-to-buy-for adults in your life.

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Gifts for toddlers

Gifts for kids

Gifts for teens

Gifts for adults

Gifts for the whole family

There's a range of animal-themed sensory books, specially designed to encourage exploration through textures like soft fur, bumpy scales, and smooth surfaces. Whatever animal the toddler in your life loves most, there's a good chance it's in the range, from monkeys and tigers to elephants and sloths. 

If you'd prefer something more interactive, the My Little Plants set is a great pick. With puzzle plant pots, a magic watering can, and a handful of plants to grow, it’s perfect for hands-on play that helps toddlers start to learn how the world works. 

And of course, because it's Ravensburger, there's plenty of jigsaws to choose from too. The My First Puzzle range is made for children aged 18 months and up, with chunky pieces perfect for small hands and bright, colorful designs featuring animals, dinosaurs, and vehicles, great for building fine-motor skills, and a fun way to introduce early vocabulary along the way.

If you've got a budding train enthusiast in the family, a BRIO wooden train set is sure to be a hit. BRIO has been building toys since 1907, and a train set under the tree is as much a part of Christmas tradition as the tree itself. Loved for their classic, durable wooden design, BRIO sets encourage imaginative play and grow with the child, with new tracks and trains to add every Christmas after this one. 

For little ones who love a challenge, GraviTrax Junior starter sets are a hands-on introduction to marble runs. The chunky, easy-to-build pieces are designed for small hands, with switches, tunnels, and crossings to experiment with along the way. It's as much about building and exploring as it is about watching the marble drop. There are also themed versions like dinosaurs, jungle, under the sea, and even Frozen and The Lion King to choose from. 

For creative children, a CreArt Paint by Numbers kit can be a real hit. They come in three levels for different ages and abilities. From cute but simple Peppa Pig paint by numbers, to more intricate images that require a little more concentration . Each kit comes with a thick painting board, a range of water-based opaque acrylic paints in numbered pots, a pallete, durable, fine-point paintbrushes, an easy-to-follow reference sheet and a frame so kids can display their finished artwork in their bedroom. 

And finally, for something a little different, why not check out our range of 3D jigsaws for children. There's a range of 3D puzzle balls that come with a handy display stand, making them a great bedroom accessory. Pick from a children's globe to a glow-in-the-dark moon, plus Sonic, Squishmallow and Stitch designs.

First up, if the teen you're buying for is a Lorcana fan, you can't go wrong with a set of Lorcana cards. Find out what set they currently play with and pick up a pack to bolster their collection. If they've already got everything they need, there's a whole range of accessories - from playmats to portfolios, and card sleeves to help them keep their collection safe and show it off in style.

At this age, screen time is probably pretty high, but a board game based on something they're already into can be enough to prize them away from their iPad. Our top pick is Villainous, which comes in Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney versions, so there's a good chance you'll find one that matches their interests. There are expansion packs available too, so you've got an easy go-to gift for every birthday and Christmas after this one. 

A jigsaw for this age group might seem like a rogue choice, but our licensed puzzles cover everything from Star Wars to Harry Potter to Marvel, so you can find one that lines up with whatever they're currently obsessed with. With higher piece counts, up to 2,000 pieces, they're much more of a challenge than the puzzles they did as kids.

If you’re looking for a gift for a car fanatic, a 3D Puzzle Car is a brilliant way to give them that supercar they’ve always wanted, whether it's a Lamborghini Huracán, Porsche 911, Ferrari SF90 or Dodge Challenger. These 3D puzzles build into detailed, realistic models, made from precision-cut plastic pieces. The finished puzzle makes a great addition to any desk, shelf or man cave. 

If you've got a puzzle enthusiast in your life, our 2026 Jigsaw Nationals Puzzles are a great pick. These are the exact jigsaws competitors raced against the clock to complete this year, so your loved one can test their own speed against the pros. 

For a one-of-a-kind gift, a custom photo jigsaw is hard to beat. It shows a level of effort an off-the-shelf gift just can't match. They're a fantastic pick for a jigsaw lover, or as a sentimental gift for couples celebrating a wedding or big milestone. Made to the same high quality as all our puzzles, with linen-textured paper and a personalized box, it's a gift that will be cherished for years to come.

The trick is finding a game that's a hit, which can be tricky when you're buying a gift that has to work across different age groups, interests, attention spans and abilities. We've covered picking the right family game based on the children's age in this article, but here are the standouts. 

Labyrinth is a shifting-maze game where players race to collect hidden treasures while blocking each other's paths. With a Junior version for younger players and licensed editions including Minecraft, SpongeBob, Stitch and Disney Villains, it’s the perfect family game. 

If sibling rivalry is something you'd rather avoid this Christmas, Horrified would be our first pick. It's cooperative, with the whole family teaming up against classic monsters instead of each other. Different monster combinations and ways to win mean it has great replayability too. 

And finally, Mycelia, a deck-building strategy game with a fun mushroom theme. New mechanics get introduced as you play, making it an easy way into a more complex style of game without overwhelming first-timers.