Under $25
Sushi Go! card game
A tiny, 15-minute card-drafting game that teaches a core hobby mechanic without a rulebook battle.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Gifts for Board Game Lovers
27 ideas for 3 levels · Updated for 2026 · We earn from qualifying purchases
Hobby gifts go wrong in two ways. You buy something they already have, like a second copy of Catan, or you buy beginner gear for someone who has outgrown it. Board games are especially tricky because a serious collector's shelf can hold hundreds of titles.
This page sorts ideas by how deep they are into the hobby. Pick the level that sounds like them, and skip anything on the list they already own. If you tell us what they have, we can put together a personalized list that avoids the doubles.
For board game lovers who are getting into it
They've got a few gateway games like Catan, Ticket to Ride and Wingspan, they play regularly, and they're starting to want deeper games and a better way to store them.
- Under $25
Card sleeves for standard-size games
Once they're shuffling a game weekly, sleeves protect the cards and make them far nicer to handle.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Under $25
Plastic dice tray with velvet lining
It stops dice from knocking over components and keeps rolling quiet, which anyone who plays Catan-style games will appreciate.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Under $25
Zip-top component bags and small containers
Sorting tokens and cubes by type is the first thing every growing collector wishes they'd done earlier.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - $25–$50
Cascadia nature tile-laying game
It's a relaxed, puzzly step up from Carcassonne and Azul that plays well at two players.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - $25–$50
Splendor engine-building game
It's a classic gateway to engine-building and fast enough to hit the table on any night.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - $25–$50
Custom board game table topper or playmat
A neoprene playmat gives cards a smooth surface and stops pieces from sliding around during long sessions.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - $50–$100
Everdell woodland city-building game
It's a gorgeous worker-placement game that shows the jump from gateway to midweight strategy.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - $50–$100
Terraforming Mars strategy game
Terraforming Mars is the usual next step for people who've beaten the gateway games and want deeper strategy.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - $100+
Cube storage shelf for a game collection
Games lie flat and stack awkwardly, so a cube shelf keeps a growing collection safe and easy to browse.
Shop on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Insider tip: Before buying, ask which games they play most and check whether they have already tried the game you're eyeing. Players at this stage often want one midweight game, like Cascadia or Everdell, more than another gateway title.
Tell us what they already have
List their gear and we'll suggest board games gifts that fit their level and skip what they own.
Frequently asked questions
Look at upgrades and accessories instead of another game. Metal coins, a laser-cut box insert or a dice tower improve games they already love. If you want to add a game, Brass: Birmingham or Spirit Island are deeper titles a serious collector may still be missing.
If they mostly own Monopoly, Uno or Clue, start with an easy pick like Sushi Go! or Azul. If they already have Catan, Ticket to Ride and Wingspan, try Cascadia, Splendor or Everdell. If they sleeve cards and use shelving, go with accessories or heavy games like Twilight Imperium.
For a beginner, Sushi Go! and Love Letter are small card games that are quick to learn. For someone further in, card sleeves, a velvet-lined dice tray or component bags are useful. A bulk pack of wooden meeples or card holder racks suit a collector.
Skip the big classics like Monopoly or another Catan unless you know they don't own them. Avoid buying a heavy game like Terraforming Mars or Twilight Imperium for someone new, since the long rules can put them off. When you're unsure, a gateway pick like Kingdomino or Codenames is safer.
More gifts by hobby
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