Gifts for Board Game Lovers, Whatever Their Game Night Looks Like

By the Gift DeskUpdated October 8, 202621 hand-picked ideas

Three easy wins

A modern favoriteWingspan Board Game~$55
For the game-night hostPortable Tabletop Game Tabletopper Mat~$45
Party game under $25Codenames Party Game~$20

Board game people have shelves, and the shelves are full. That’s the first challenge in shopping for them: whatever famous game you’ve heard of, there’s a good chance it’s already there, possibly in a deluxe edition. The second challenge is that "board game lover" covers a lot of different people, from the family that plays Rummikub every Thanksgiving to the group that spends six hours on a campaign game, to the friends who meet every other week to roll dice as elves.

This guide is sorted by the kind of player. We start with well-loved modern games for someone building a collection, then party and family games, tabletop role-playing gear and games for two. There’s a section in the middle on how to avoid gifting a duplicate, and a run of accessories for the person who always hosts. The short list is for when you need an answer fast.

If their idea of fun leans toward jigsaws and brain teasers, see our gifts for puzzle lovers. Fantasy and sci-fi tabletop fans will find more in gifts for sci-fi and fantasy fans, and couples who play together might like gifts for couples.

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Modern classics for a growing shelf

These are the games that come up again and again when experienced players recommend what to buy next. They’re excellent for someone new to the hobby and still welcome on a seasoned shelf, as long as it isn’t already there.

Do a quick shelf check before you buy (more on that below).

Our favorite1
Wingspan Board Game
Wingspan by Stonemaier Games
A strategy game about attracting birds to your wildlife preserve, with beautifully illustrated cards of real species and a dice tower shaped like a bird feeder. It’s calm rather than cutthroat, so it suits couples, small groups and people who don’t like direct conflict. It also has a well-regarded solo mode for nights when no one’s free. A wonderful pick for someone who loves nature or art as much as games.
On Amazonabout $55
2
Ticket to Ride Board Game
Days of Wonder Ticket to Ride
Players collect colored train cards and claim railway routes across a map. It’s one of the best gateway games ever made: simple to teach, tense at the end and good for two to five players. If they already own the original, there are other maps and versions, so check which one is on their shelf.
On Amazonabout $50
3
Azul Tile-Laying Board Game
Players draft colorful tiles to decorate a palace wall, and the chunky pieces are a pleasure to handle. It takes five minutes to learn and has real decisions, so it works for both grandparents and strategy gamers. Particularly good for two players.
On Amazonabout $40
4
Pandemic Cooperative Board Game
Everyone plays as a team of specialists trying to stop outbreaks around the world, and the whole table wins or loses together. Cooperative games suit families and couples who’d rather not compete, and they’re good for teaching new players because everyone can help each other. Expect to lose the first few times; that’s part of its appeal.
On Amazonabout $50
5
Catan Board Game
The trading-and-building game that pulled many adults into the hobby. If your person is a newcomer or has only played at a friend’s house, it’s a fine first owned game. Many experienced gamers already have a copy, so for them consider an expansion instead, and confirm it matches their edition.
On Amazonabout $40

Know exactly who it’s for?

Party and family games

For bigger tables, mixed ages and the kind of game night that involves more laughing than thinking. These are quick to teach and easy to bring to a gathering.

6
Codenames Party Game
Codenames by Czech Games Edition
A team word-association game that plays well with four to eight people. Easy to teach mid-party, and hard to stop playing.
On Amazonabout $20
7
Mexican Train Dominoes Set
A dominoes game that seats up to eight. Ideal for families with kids and great-grandparents at the same table.
On Amazonabout $20
8
Rummikub Tile Game
Number tiles, simple rules and real strategy. It’s the game that gets pulled out at every family holiday for a reason.
On Amazonabout $25
9
Exploding Kittens Card Game
Exploding Kittens Original Edition
A quick, silly card game with cartoon cats. Best for tweens and teens, or adults who like chaos in fifteen-minute rounds.
On Amazonabout $20

For the tabletop role-player

Role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons are a hobby of their own, built around a group, a game master and a lot of dice. Players treasure their dice and their kit, which makes accessories a safe and personal gift.

10
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set
A boxed adventure with rules, ready-made characters and dice, designed for a group that’s never played. It’s the right gift for a curious teen, a friend group looking for a new weekly tradition or someone who’s played once and wants to run a game. Experienced players won’t need it.
On Amazonabout $50
11
Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks Gift Set
The three core books a game master uses to run long campaigns. It’s a generous gift for someone who’s moving from player to running the game. The rules were revised in 2024, and some groups still use the older books, so ask which version their table plays before buying.
On Amazonabout $150
12
Tabletop RPG Dice Vault
CASEMATIX Dice Tray and Dice Storage Case
A fitted case that holds a full set of dice and opens into a rolling tray. Role-players often have a favorite set, and a proper case to carry it in shows you understand. It’s a good add-on to a set of new dice from a local game store.
On Amazonabout $30
13
Wooden Dice Tower
A tower that tumbles dice through baffles into a tray, so rolls are fair and dice stop knocking over minis and drinks. It’s useful for both role-players and board gamers whose games involve lots of dice. Choose a plain wooden one unless you know their taste.
On Amazonabout $25
14
Miniature Painting Wet Palette and Brush Set
Golden Maple Wet Palette Set with 9 Brushes
A wet palette keeps acrylic paint workable for hours, and fine brushes help with tiny details. It’s for the player who has started painting their own miniatures, or who keeps saying they want to. Pair it with a few unpainted minis for a complete gift.
On Amazonabout $35

How to avoid buying a game they already own

Duplicates are the most common board game gift mistake. The easiest fix is to look: take a photo of their shelf next time you visit, or ask their partner or game group. Many hobby gamers also log their collection and wishlist on BoardGameGeek, the big online board game database, and some will happily share a link if you ask what they’re hoping to play next.

Expansions are a tempting option, but they only work with the right base game and sometimes with a specific edition, so confirm both. If you’re unsure, a gift card to their local game store is a genuinely good gift; gamers love browsing, and many stores host game nights and let customers try demo copies. Avoid buying a lesser-known game just because it looks clever. Experienced players tend to research games carefully, and a random pick from the shelf may not suit their group’s size or taste.

For the person who always hosts

The friend whose dining table becomes game central most weekends will appreciate these. They make setup faster and protect the games.

15.
Portable Tabletop Game Tabletopper Mat
Feltectors Board Game Mat with Carrying Bag
A felt topper that rolls over the dining table, making cards easier to pick up and protecting the wood.
On Amazonabout $45
16.
Board Game Card Sleeves and Divider Organizer Kit
Plastic sleeves protect well-loved cards from snack fingers and wear. Check which card sizes their favorite games use.
On Amazonabout $5
17.
Tabletop Game Organizer Insert Set
Flying Buffalo Game Piece Counter Trays, 5-Pack
Trays for tokens and cards that cut setup time and stop pieces from rattling loose inside the box.
On Amazonabout $25
18.
Board Game Night Snack Caddy and Cup Holder Set
Baron Barclay Snack Caddy and Cup Holder Set
Clip-on bowls and cup holders that keep drinks and chips off the board. Every host has seen a spill.
On Amazonabout $35

Games for two at the kitchen table

Some of the most devoted players mostly play with one other person. These suit couples, roommates and grandparents with a standing weekly game.

19
Two-Player Strategy Board Game
Jaipur
Games designed for exactly two people tend to be tighter and quicker than group games squeezed down to two. It’s a lovely gift for a couple who play together after the kids are in bed, and most finish in under an hour. Look for well-reviewed titles built specifically for two.
On Amazonabout $25
20
Wooden Backgammon Set with Folding Board
YMI Pasadena 15-Inch Wooden Backgammon Set
Backgammon is an old game with real depth, and a wooden folding set looks good left out on a coffee table. It’s easy to bring on a weekend away. A thoughtful pick for someone who learned the game from a parent or grandparent.
On Amazonabout $50
21
Wooden Cribbage Board Set
House of Cribbage Spiral Design Cribbage Board
A solid cribbage board with pegs and cards. Cribbage is a family tradition in many households, and a nicer board can become the one that gets handed down. Check that they play; if they don’t, this is a sweet way to learn together.
On Amazonabout $50

Shopping tips for game lovers

Check their shelf first, by photo, by asking a partner or by looking up their online collection.
Match the game to their group size. A great two-player game is no use to a six-person game night, and vice versa.
Expansions need the right base game and edition. When in doubt, choose a game store gift card.
Accessories like sleeves, dice cases and table toppers are safe even for collectors who own hundreds of games.
Need more ideas for their other hobbies? Try our gift finder.

Board game gift FAQs

What’s a good board game gift for someone who owns a lot of games?

Accessories and upgrades are safest: a table topper, organizer inserts, card sleeves or a dice tower. A gift card to their local game store lets them pick the next title themselves.

What are good board games for beginners?

Ticket to Ride, Azul, Codenames and Catan are popular first games because the rules are simple and the play is engaging. Cooperative games like Pandemic are also good for new players.

What’s a good board game for couples?

Look for games designed for two players, or games that play well at two, such as Azul. Backgammon and cribbage are classic options.

Is Dungeons & Dragons a good gift?

The starter set is a great gift for a group of friends who want to try it. For experienced players, dice, a dice case or a tower is safer than more books, unless you know which edition they use.

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Modern classics for a growing shelf

Know exactly who it’s for?

Party and family games

For the tabletop role-player

How to avoid buying a game they already own

For the person who always hosts

Games for two at the kitchen table

Shop this guide by price

Under $25

$25–$50

$50–$100

$100+

Shopping tips for game lovers

Board game gift FAQs

Related gift guides

Modern classics for a growing shelf

Know exactly who it’s for?

Party and family games

For the tabletop role-player

How to avoid buying a game they already own

For the person who always hosts

Games for two at the kitchen table

Shop this guide by price

Under $25

$25–$50

$50–$100

$100+