7 New Little Board Games You Can Bring to Friends and Family for Holiday Gatherings

We’re approaching the Christmas holidays, which means gatherings of family and friends that can last for hours. You can always play Mario Kart World or Super Mario Party Jamboree, but we shouldn’t forget board games.

Yes, board games are almost always a great option because most are suitable for adults and childrenand explaining its rules doesn’t take much time. In just a few minutes you will be playing with your family and friends.

But, What if we don’t want to carry the house “on our shoulders”? Don’t worry, as there are board games that are quite compact in size, and are even ideal for traveling, whether short trips or very long trips.

If you’re looking for a board game that takes up little space or is simple, check out the 13 smallest, easiest-to-understand board games.

Returning to the first approach, with small games so you can transport them without problemsNow we highlight the best that were also published in 2025.

Next, we review the new little board games to take home for friends and family at Christmas parties. Although some are for two players, you can always form teams… something that also adds to the fun.

Compile

A competitive card game based on a strong strategic component. Compile: Main Unit I (the first edition available) defines the task of Rewrite reality itself as an AI agent.

Thus, two players will compete to see who is the most effective AI when it comes to taking control of reality. Whoever obtains all 3 protocols first winsmanipulating time, knowledge and emptiness.

You decide whether to base yourself on proven facts (depending on the cards you have in your deck) or whether to jump into the pool to recreate reality. AND an ideal game to learn more about this disruptive technology.

Covenant

If you like The Lord of the Rings, specifically Mines of Moria, Covenant will win you over with its dark fantasy lore, and it’s also a board game made in Spain by the creators of Sabika and Men Nefer.

Covenant is a strategic board game that can be played alone or cooperatively. The king of the dwarves called upon all clans to reclaim Karrak-sür-Kazar, ancestral home of the dwarves from times past.

Each player takes control of a clan of dwarvesbut just The one with the greatest glory at the end of the game will win.. Fight to expel the dark forces and establish the glory of your race to win.

Flip 7

It may seem like a simple game, but this popular party game will surprise you once you try it. Flip 7 is a frantic card game, full of color and engaging from the first moment.

The only thing you need to do is turn over your cards, but without repeating the same number twice. It sounds easy, but it’s not, because the Flip 7 deck only has one 1, two 2s, three 3s, and so on.

Winning in Eric Olsen’s viral game is not just based on your skill, but also has a small element of chance…then you will have to try your luck to get the victory. It’s perfect for parties.

Iliad

The new success of Reiner Knizia, creator of Age of War, Lost Cities and Vampire, is a war game based on piece placement, an atypical concept for an epic board battle between two sides.

The Iliad takes place during the war between the Trojans and the Greeks, with Hector and Achilles as the heroes of each army. Your turns are based on placing a piece adjacent to your opponent’s and surpassing it based on your strength (from 1 to 5).

Be very careful, because you must measure your tactics very well if you want to win in the Iliad. Not only do you depend on the strength of each piece, but also how the mosaic of your army is being forged in real time.

Jungo

Some cute coins take over your deck in Jungo, an original card game that is getting a lot of people talking, starting with its artistic style work by Laura Michaud (Trio, Hanabi).

Jungo’s goal is simple: you have to get rid of all your cards before your rivals to win the game. First, cards are dealt (8 or 10 to each player, depending on the number), and then the show begins.

In each turn, players can draw from the central deck or play their cards, as long as it exceeds the combination played by the opponent and that all cards have the same value. Jungo is easy to learn, addictive and will definitely give you a lot of laughs this Christmas.

Seaside

It may be a more summer-appropriate game due to its maritime theme, but Seaside is also a must-have game due to its small size and portability for this Christmas vacation.

Seaside Consists only of wood chipsrepresenting crabs, shells and other sea creatures. Up to 5 players can compete to see who creates the best coastline with all your chips.

The player who stacks the most pieces without them falling wins the game.creating the highest coastline of all. You should throw it on as soon as possible and have it ready to take to the beach next summer.

Solstice

The new of Bruno Cathala (7 Wonders, Five Tribes) It is based on an innovative concept: an initiation ritual that marks the transition from child to adultwhich consists of a pilgrimage to a nearby mountain range on the summer solstice.

A maximum of two players compete to recreate each landscape with the greatest number of pieces, including animals, mountain spirits and other elements of nature, accumulating points in their closet.

The key is in Don’t give pieces to your rivaland you should too create squares of tiles to summon spiritsand may they give you a hand. Solstice is a game that is as beautiful as it is relaxing and should not be missed at gatherings with friends and family.

If you don’t have space problems, you can always turn to the most fun and engaging board games that you can give as a gift this Christmas for between 50 and 100 euros.

Also there is a low cost optionwith some very fun board games that don’t reach the price of 50 euros, and which we also structure into different ranges.

Did you know that small board games Which ones are perfect to take to Christmas parties? They all arrived in our country in 2025, so they are also part of the remarkable new features that you should try anyway.