Brain teasers can help pass the time on a commute or wind down at the end of the day, and they make a good talking point left out on a table. They are also handy gifts because they do not need batteries, a screen or another player. A well-made puzzle in solid metal or wood also tends to last, so it can be handed round the family for years.

For a hand-picked selection of brain teasers across easy, medium and fiendish levels, have a look at the adult puzzle range at puzzles and games.

If you want a shortlist of games tested for family play and grouped by how long they take, browse the family and party games chosen by educational games for kids.

Word games sit in a sweet spot between fun and family-friendly. They give players a reason to think about letters and words, but wrapped up in a race or a puzzle rather than a test. That makes them a popular choice for families who want screen-free play that keeps everyone reaching for letters at the same time.

The image matters as much as the count. Scenes with plenty of variety, such as busy street scenes or landscapes with lots of colour, give you clear areas to work on and tend to feel achievable. Puzzles that are all one colour, or that repeat a pattern, are far harder because you cannot rely on the picture, so save those for someone who likes a proper challenge.

Playing time is worth checking before you start. Many escape room puzzle games games run for around an hour to ninety minutes, so it helps to set aside a clear evening rather than squeezing one in. Some are single-use, where you mark or fold the components as you go, while others can be reset and passed on to friends once you have finished, which is handy if you want to share the fun.