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 puzzle games for adults.
Slower, more thoughtful word games suit older children and adults who like to plan a high-scoring play. These reward a wider vocabulary and a bit of tactics, so they are better kept for players who enjoy taking their time. If you are buying for a mixed-age family, a fast game is usually the safer bet, since it keeps the youngest involved rather than left behind.
It is worth thinking about the setting too. Games with a drawstring bag or a tin survive being thrown in a rucksack better than a large flat box. For a caravan or a beach hut with limited space, pick a few small games rather than one big one, so you can match the game to the mood without taking up a whole shelf.
To see the traditional board alongside the 3D, giant and garden editions, have a look at the Snakes and Ladders range at brain teaser puzzles games for adults.
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.
The Genius Square has become a favourite for families and solo puzzlers who want a game that sets up in seconds and plays differently every time. You roll the seven dice, place a blocker on each grid square the dice point to, then fit the nine coloured shapes into the space that is left. There is always at least one solution, and often more than one, so nobody gets stuck on an impossible board.
