23+ Best Board Games for Families: Our 2024 Top Picks
Looking to bring your family together around the table for some quality time? Board games are more popular with families than ever. New titles come out frequently that offer engaging themes, strategic gameplay, and just plain fun for all ages.
As a parent myself, I know how tough it can be to find titles that everyone in the family will enjoy — from little ones to teens to grandparents. To help others navigate this challenge, I have rounded up the 24 best board games for families that are sure to be a hit. From cooperative to competitive, silly to strategic, there is something here for every family’s tastes.
Board Games for Young Kids (Ages 3–6)
Young’uns enjoy simple decision-making games that involve turn-taking, accompanied by fun themes.
Here are some of the best family board games to spend time with your little ones:
1. Zingo
Zingo is a fun picture-matching game perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Players take turns sliding the Zingo machine to reveal an image, then search their card for a match. If they find a match, they call the name to the dealer, who then gives them the tile space. The first player to fill their card wins! This fast-paced game helps build recognition, concentration, and listening skills.
2. Candy Land
The classic Candy Land takes kids on an imaginative journey through a candy kingdom. Players draw colorful cards to move along matching squares. The first to reach the Candy Castle wins.
No reading is required — just matching colors, so even very young children can play. Candy Land teaches color recognition, following directions, and turn-taking.
3. Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders is among preschoolers’ favorite board games. Players move their pieces upwards with ladders and downwards with chutes (slides) — the goal is to be the first to reach the finish. To determine how many spaces to move, players spin the spinner.
Chutes and Ladders help build counting skills and an understanding of following a sequence. Check out our guide on how to play Chutes and Ladders, or watch the video below.
How To Play Chutes and Ladders
4. Ice Cool
For kids under age 6, Ice Cool is a fun dexterity game where players flick their penguin pieces around a school, collecting fish. Players pull out sections of the box to create paths and obstacles. The player who collects the most fish wins.
Ice Cool improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Kids will love the silly penguin figures and sliding them around the box.
With engaging themes, simple rules, and lots of fun, these game boards for family time are perfect for engaging young kids in a get-together. However, middle-aged kids’ choice of the best board games for families may differ considerably.
Best Middle Age Board Games (Ages 7–12)
Middle-aged children have developed some critical thinking skills so they’ll be looking to play games that are somewhat advanced. To engage them in family game night, choose strategy games that require cooperation.
Here are our top picks:
5. Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is a popular strategy board game perfect for middle age children. Players compete to claim and complete rail routes between cities in the US, earning points for completing continuous train paths. The game teaches basic geography and planning skills in a fun, engaging way. With different versions, such as Europe, Nordic Countries, and more, there’s a map for every interest.
6. Sushi Go!
This fast-paced card game is ideal for ages 7 and up. Players take on the role of sushi chefs, selecting sushi dishes from a conveyor belt to earn points. You need to grab the most valuable sets before other players. It’s easy to learn but challenging to master. Sushi Go! teaches probability, quick thinking, and risk assessment in a lighthearted way.
7. Carcassonne
In Carcassonne, players ages 8 and up build up cities, roads, and fields and claim areas with their followers. You earn points for having followers in the areas you build up. This tile-laying game encourages planning, cooperation, and strategic thinking as you work to complete cities, roads, and fields to earn the most points. With many expansions, Carcassonne offers lots of replay value.
8. Qwirkle Cubes
Qwirkle Cubes is a dice and tile game for children above 7 years of age. Players roll dice to get colored cubes and place them on their game boards to make lines and shapes. You get points for using all six colors and making the longest lines.
Qwirkle Cubes engages children in logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and basic math skills. Its simple rules and challenging strategies make it fun for a wide age range.
With these strategic and cooperative games, you can have a good family time without leaving your middle-aged kids out of the fun. Teenagers, however, will be more interested in a different set of board games — they lean towards the more advanced ones.
Best Board Games for Teenagers
Teenagers will appreciate a more complex strategic game with deeper narratives.
Consider the following for a memorable family game time:
9. Pandemic
In Pandemic, up to four players work together to stop the spread of diseases around the world. Players take on the role of disease experts, trying to find cures before the diseases overwhelm the world. Ideal for ages 13 and up, this cooperative game requires strategic thinking and planning to beat the game. Teenagers will love the challenge of solving the puzzle together.
10. Catan
Catan (formerly The Settlers of Catan) is a popular game in which players build settlements, cities, and roads on a shared island. Three to four players compete to gain control of resources like brick, wood, wheat, and ore.
By building settlements and cities, players score victory points. The first player to hit 10 points wins. Catan teaches resource management and negotiating skills in a fun, competitive way.
11. Clank!
Clank! is a deck-building adventure game in which up to 6 players compete to gain the most treasure from a dragon’s lair. Players build their deck of cards by moving through a dungeon, fighting monsters, and grabbing loot. The player who collects the most valuable treasure and makes it out alive wins! This game blends luck and strategy with high replayability.
12. Wingspan
In Wingspan, 1–5 players attract birds to their wildlife preserves. Each turn, players play bird cards to gain food, lay eggs, and build their preserves. In the end, the player with the most points wins. This solo game teaches ecology and the lifecycle of birds in a beautifully illustrated setting.
13. Codenames
Codenames is a fun word game in which two teams of up to eight players compete to identify all their secret agents first. Players take turns giving one-word clues to help their teammates figure out the agents’ codenames. The first team to identify all its agents wins.
Codenames exercise creative thinking and problem-solving skills hilariously. It’s suitable for teenagers and a perfect game for parties or game nights with friends and family.
When it comes to good family time, nothing beats a touch of fun in a game that requires critical thinking. Check out some of the funnest board games for families below!
Hilarious Party Games for Families
Certain games have a unique way of transforming any family gathering into a whirlwind of laughter and enjoyment. These games are designed to be fun while challenging your critical thinking skills.
Some of these games are:
14. Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens are card games with a quirky and humorous twist. Players draw cards until someone pulls an exploding kitten card. The fun comes in using other cards to avoid, mitigate, or shift the impending “explosion” to other players. The game’s quick pace and hilarious card interactions make it a blast for all ages.
15. Herd Mentality
Herd Mentality is a game that’s all about thinking like the herd. The aim is to write down the same answer as the others. It’s a simple premise, but it often leads to surprising and funny revelations about how family members think. You may be surprised at how often you’re all on the same wavelength — or not!
16. Dolphin Hat Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
This game is not only a mouthful to say but is equally a handful to play. The Dolphin Hat Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game is a delightful mix of quick reflexes and silly sounds. Players take turns laying down cards while saying one of the titular words. When the spoken word matches the card, chaos ensues as everyone rushes to slap the deck, leading to plenty of giggles and frantic fun.
17. Articulate
Articulate is a fast-talking description game that’s sure to get the competitive juices flowing. Players try to describe as many card entries as possible to their teammates within a time limit without actually saying the word itself. The results can be hysterically imprecise and will have everyone both frustrated and laughing.
18. Pass the Pigs
Pass the Pigs is an adorable game where little pig figures are your dice. You toss them in the air and earn points depending on how the pigs land. With each throw, you decide whether to risk accumulating points or “pig out” and lose them all. It’s a game of chance and hilarity, especially when the pigs land in the most unexpected position.
These fun games are not just about winning; they’re about creating memorable, laughter-filled moments that your family will talk about long after the party has ended. So, next time you’re looking for a way to spice up your family gathering, consider a fun family board game to keep everyone entertained and engaged.
Our board games for a family list won’t be complete without some old classics. While they’re widely known, not everyone considers them a great family game. However, we do, and we’ll be sharing our top choices below.
Classic Board Games for a Nostalgic Family Time
Families have been gathering around board games for generations, creating cherished memories that stand the test of time. Some of the most timeless classics are simple yet challenging, tapping into a spirit of friendly competition and bonding over laughter and good-natured teasing.
Here are our top board games with a classic touch:
19. Monopoly
The king of classic board games, Monopoly, has been teaching kids and adults financial literacy and negotiation skills since 1935. In Monopoly, you buy and trade properties, build houses and hotels, and try to drive your opponents into bankruptcy.
Despite the high random chance factor, Monopoly rewards strategic thinking and deal-making. There are different house rules, though, so choose variations that suit your family’s style of play. We also have a detailed tutorial on playing you can check out; if you prefer a video game walkthrough, you can click the play button below.
20. Scrabble
Wordsmiths of all ages can flex their mental muscles in a Scrabble game board. Players take turns building words on a board using letter tiles with different point values. Creativity is rewarded, as unusual or lengthy words score higher points.
Scrabble exercises your vocabulary and pattern recognition skills in a way that feels more like fun than work. For an extra challenge, try adding time limits or themed rounds where every word must contain a particular letter.
21. Trivial Pursuit
This battle of wits and knowledge has stumped even the brainiest families since 1979. In this strategy game, players move around the board by answering trivia questions from 6 categories: geography, entertainment, history, art and literature, science and nature, and sports and leisure. With thousands of questions covering both classic facts and recent events, Trivial Pursuit is that one game that can be played over and over without repeating the same questions.
These 3 board game classics have unlocked decades of laughter, learning, and togetherness for families everywhere. Break out one of these tried-and-true favorites at your next game night for an evening of connection that will stand the test of time. However, if you want just some alone time with your spouse, we’ve got some recommendations on the best family games for couples below.
Best 2-Player Board Games for Couples
Instead of a rowdy get-together, you might just be after some alone time with your partner.
You can try the following games for a team of two:
22. Patchwork
For couples looking for an engaging yet casual two-player game, Patchwork is an excellent choice. In this game, players compete to build the most aesthetic and high-scoring patchwork quilt on a personal board. On each turn, you purchase patches with different shapes, patterns, and button costs, then work to tetris them onto your board.
The gameplay is simple to learn but provides enough strategic decisions to keep things interesting for all skill levels. You need to plan, manage your buttons (the game’s currency), and find ways to creatively fit oddly-shaped patches onto your board. Patchwork plays in about 15–30 minutes, so you can easily fit in multiple games in an evening.
23. Disney Villainous
If you prefer a game with more interaction and take-that mechanics, Disney Villainous is a great option. In this asymmetric game, each player takes on the role of a famous Disney villain, such as Maleficent, Jafar, or Captain Hook. Your goal is to complete your villain’s objective before the other players.
Each villain has a different win condition and set of actions based on their story. For example, as Jafar, you need to hypnotize the Sultan, find the magic lamp, and defeat Aladdin. Players use cards to activate abilities, recruit allies, vanquish heroes, and further their schemes. The best part of Disney Villainous is that it adds an engaging layer of player interaction as you work to thwart your opponents’ plans.
24. Star Realms
For a quick sci-fi combat game, Star Realms is a popular choice. This deck-building game is all about acquiring powerful spaceships, recruiting allies, and destroying your opponent’s bases. On each turn, you play cards from your hand to gain trade, combat points, and new ships. You then use those resources to buy cards from the trade row and attack your opponent.
Star Realms plays fast, typically lasting only about 15 minutes. Its simple rules and fast gameplay make it easy to pick up but with enough depth to keep it interesting over multiple plays. Once you’ve mastered the base game, the game also comes with several expansions to add more cards and gameplay options. For a portable and highly replayable two-player experience, Star Realms is one of the best.
The 24 games we’ve mentioned so far are perfect for any family gathering. However, before you pick just any random board game, there are a few considerations that can help you make the best choice.
Picking the Right Board Games for a Family
Choosing the best family games requires considering each member’s interests and skill levels.
Here are some tips:
For game nights with both young kids and adults, look for games with simple rules but enough complexity to engage everyone.
For younger kids, start with interactive games, which help build logic skills. As kids get older, introduce more competitive games to teach sportsmanship.
Consider each family member’s interests, too. For example, if you’re a train enthusiast, Ticket to Ride is a great choice.
Start with shorter games, around 30–45 minutes, so younger players stay engaged. As your family’s experience grows, you can move on to longer, more complex games. It’s also a good idea to choose games that cater to the youngest players so no one feels left out.
With the huge variety of board games available today, you’re sure to find options that appeal to family members of all ages and interests. Focusing on simple rules, cooperative play, short durations, and adjustable complexity will help ensure that game nights are fun for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Board Game to Play with Family?
The best board game to play with family is Catan. It’s a captivating mix of strategy and luck that involves trading and building to dominate the island of Catan. The game is ideal for family game nights, offering a perfect blend of interaction and competition that appeals to a wide range of ages.
What Are Some New Family Games?
Some fresh picks for family game nights include King of Tokyo, where you play as monsters vying for control over Tokyo. This game combines strategy and dice-rolling fun. For a more adult-oriented game, Heroes of Barcadia offers a blend of board gaming and party game elements with a humorous twist.
What Board Games Should Everyone Play at Least Once?
Every board gamer should experience the strategic depth of Carcassonne, the resource management of Settlers of Catan, the route-building challenge of Ticket to Ride, the deck-building dynamics of Dominion, the monster battles of King of Tokyo, and the social deduction of The Resistance at least once.
What Is the Biggest-Selling Board Game of All Time?
The biggest-selling board game of all time is Monopoly by Hasbro, with over 275 million copies sold worldwide. It’s an iconic game of commerce and property trading that has become a household name since its inception.
Conclusion
Traditional board games are about spending meaningful time together, not just winning. The games we’ve shared are designed to bring out laughter, teamwork, and connection. While no list could capture all the best board games for families out there, hopefully, these recommendations give your family some great new adventures to embark on around the table.
With an open mindset and a spirit of playfulness, even familiar favorites can be seen in a new light. So gather your crew, play some games, and make new memories. The real magic happens in the presence you bring!
Before you go, don’t forget to check out our shop for some cool game resources.