An appointed person spins the spinner and calls out instructions for the players to follow, such as: "left hand blue, right foot red". The players follow the directions, moving their hands and feet to the relevant circles and try not to fall over--a knee or an elbow on the ground and they're out. For young children the challenge is not only not to fall over but also to remember left from right and colour recognition.

As well as the perfect ice-breaker for children's parties, Twister is also very popular with adults as the challenge to reach all the circles and remain upright becomes harder the less supple you are (or the more you've had to drink...)

This is a game to suit all ages--children with adults, children with children or adults with adults. Whichever the combination the end result will be plenty of family fun. Six years up, two or more players. --Phillippa Reece

Monopoly is the absolute timeless family game. It's a game about strategy, chance, luck and ultimately about greed.

Invented during the Great Depression in 1934, Monopoly has since been translated into 26 different languages and has sold over 200 million sets worldwide. It's a small wonder that most people have grown up with Monopoly.

Monopoly, with its thrilling property-owning rules and objectives, is highly educational. For early Monopoly beginners of seven years, it encourages arithmetic skills. At the same time it teaches older players about money management, property management, basic economics, the art of negotiation and compromise (just how much are you prepared to trade for Mayfair). In many ways Monopoly also mirrors the lessons of life--chance and luck can throw even the best-laid plans astray, and if you 're not prepared to take the big risks you're unlikely to be life's big winner.

Yet Monopoly is also great fun and for some reason its simple rules don't tire or become dull from repetition--truly the mark of a timeless classic.

The only significant downside to Monopoly is that the full game can be a very lengthy event easily lasting hours.

Monopoly can be enjoyed by children as young as seven years old and will still thrill a 97-year-old; it is suitable for 2-8 players.

A perfect game of family fun on a rainy day, a long holiday or a cold winter night, Monopoly will probably be the most played board game your you will ever own. --Victoria Mackenzie