Entertainment

11 Games To Play With Your Family Over the Holidays That Are Actually Fun, We Promise

Before we all had smart phones and tablets and, well, grown up lives, playing board games with your family over the holidays was probably a given. Remember all those hours of Battleship, Sorry!, and Pictionary? They were fun, family bonding experiences — even if your dad nearly table-flipped over a game of Monopoly. But, let's face it, it was mostly fun because you were 12 and didn't have anywhere else to be.

So, now that you're all grown up and can spend the hours before Santa comes boozing, playing a couple rounds of Guess Who? doesn't seem as appealing. I feel you. But playing games with your family can still equal a good time (and no one would blame you for breaking out the wine) — you just have to find the right ones.

by Emily Kelley

Bananagrams

This is a great game if you’re not quite up for Scrabble, but still want to prove that your $40,000 a year education was worth something.

Bananagrams, $13, Amazon

Forbidden Island

Forbidden Island is an easy-to-play game that has the added fun of knowing your characters drown if you don’t win the game. That’s high-stakes, baby!

Forbidden Island, $11, Amazon

Just Dance

Maybe you have a few dance-inclined cousins, or maybe you just get real dance-y after a bottle of merlot. Either way, this one’s for you.

Just Dance for PS4, $59, A mazon

Betrayal at House on the Hill

This game is a lot like family: you go to someone’s house, some weird stuff starts to happen, and then one person turns into a demon child (or starts to talk politics).

Betrayal at House on the Hill, $29, A mazon

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples is the baby sister of Cards Against Humanity. You’ll still have fun, but no one will leave embarrassed.

Apples to Apples, $27, A mazon

Mario Kart 8

The only time it’s socially acceptable to yell “Suck it!” at a family member is when you blue shell them to snag first place.

Mario Kart 8 for Wii, $49, A mazon

Disney Villains Monopoly

OK, OK, I know. Monopoly is a family killer. But maybe the magic of Disney will help keep things civil?

Monopoly; Disney Villains Edition, $148, A mazon

Munchkin

Your video game-obsessed nephew will probably appreciate all the RPG elements of this game. It’s a good game for beginners and hardcore game players alike.

Munchkin Deluxe, $20.99, amazon.com

Kinect Sports: Rivals

Your brother has been all talk about how good he is at sports. Time to show him what you’re made of, girl.

Kinect Sports: Rivals for XBox One, $28, A mazon

The Simpsons Scene It!

With more than 550 episodes under its belt, you should be impressed with anyone who can nail this Scene It! game.

Scene It! The Simpsons Deluxe Edition, $20, A mazon

Time's Up

Finally, all the pop culture knowledge you’ve amassed from reading US Weekly and watching E! can count for something!

Time’s Up — Title Recall, $20, A mazon

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