Here's a guide to some of the finest traditional wooden games — what they are, how they play, and why they belong in any home.
Ludo
One of Britain's most beloved family games, Ludo is derived from the ancient Indian game of Pachisi. Players race four counters from start to home, using dice rolls and a healthy dose of strategy to block opponents. Simple enough for young children, satisfying enough for adults. Our traditional wooden Ludo board is built to last far beyond a single generation.
Backgammon
Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in existence — played for over 5,000 years across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Two players race their pieces around the board, using dice and tactical blocking to bear off before their opponent. It rewards both luck and skill, making every game different. Our 40cm wooden Backgammon set includes wooden pieces and a doubling dice, and our foldable Chess/Backgammon board is ideal for travel or compact storage.
Pachisi
The ancestor of Ludo, Pachisi is the original cross-and-circle game played in India for centuries. It uses cowrie shells instead of dice and has a more complex structure than its modern descendants. Our traditional wooden Pachisi board is a wonderful way to experience the game in its original form.
Snakes & Ladders
Another game with ancient Indian roots, Snakes & Ladders teaches children about fortune, consequence, and patience in equal measure. The wooden version has a permanence that cardboard simply can't match. Our traditional wooden Snakes & Ladders board is a classic gift for families.
Alquerque & Surakarta
For those who want to go deeper into traditional games, Alquerque is a medieval strategy game that predates draughts, while Surakarta is a captivating Indonesian game with circular capture paths unlike anything in the Western canon. Both are available as handcrafted wooden sets — Alquerque and Surakarta — and make exceptional gifts for curious, game-loving adults.
Browse the full collection
Explore all of our handcrafted traditional games in the Wooden Games collection at Jesters. Every piece is chosen for quality, longevity, and the kind of play that brings people together.
The best games aren't played once. They're played for decades.