Enjoy and Spend More Time With Your Family With These Top Family Board Games
Are you enjoying more downtime with your family these days? If so, you might want to fill the time with some of the best fun family board games. Video games are fun and all, but game night and the best board games not only get your whole family involved but have a whole host of other psychological and emotional benefits, too.
If you’re looking for some of the best family games to take your game nights to the next level, you’ve come to the right place. Give some of these family board games a try and your typical Friday nights will go from “dull” to “dynamite” in no time at all!
1. Guess Who?
Type of Board Game | Guessing Game
Benefits | 2 Players, 48 Face Cards, 24 Mystery Cards, 2 Scorekeepers, Instructions
Ages | 6+
Price |
Guess Who?, made by Hasbro, is a classic family board game that helps fill the time for families with children of all ages. When you buy this game, you’ll get two separate game boards for two players along with 48 face cards, 24 mystery cards, and two scorekeepers.
You’ll also get instructions in case you have any questions about how the game is played.
However, it’s pretty straightforward. This tabletop game involves trying to guess each other’s mystery characters by asking simple questions like, “is your person wearing a hat?” The first person to guess the mystery character correctly wins the game!
SHOP GUESS WHO?
2. Game Of Life
Type of Board Game | Roll and Move Game
Benefits | 2 Players, 3 Players, 4 Players, Instructions, Kids Included, Pets Included
Ages | 8+
Price | See on
The Game of Life has been a classic and is still one of the best board game for decades. In this game, you’ll hit the road for a life of adventure filled with family, surprises, pets, and other exciting milestones.
You’ll make your own choices as you navigate life, working from Start to Retirement as you experience unique new milestones.
This version of the Game of Life is upgraded from the original and even allows players to adopt pets! In fact, each player gets a pet when they begin the game and there are pet-specific boards on the game board. The ultimate goal of the game? Become the wealthiest player and you’ll conquer it all!
SHOP GAME OF LIFE
3. Exploding Kittens
Type of Board Game | Card Game
Benefits | 2-5 Players, 56 Cards, Box, Instructions
Ages | 7+
Price |
Exploding Kittens sounds violent, but really, the game is quite innocent. It’s perfect for kids, teens, and adults who are into kittens, laser beams, explosions, and even...goats?
This unique game involves strategy and is a family-friendly version of Russian roulette. Draw an exploding kitten, and you lose, but if you don’t explode, you’ll win! It has won multiple “game of the year” awards and is a lot like UNO, according to CNN, except there are goats, kittens, and enchiladas that can kill you.
Although adults and teens love this game, too, it’s perfect for kids ages seven and up. It only takes about five minutes to learn and just fifteen minutes to play.
SHOP EXPLODING KITTENS
4. Connect 4
Type of Board Game | Strategy Game
Benefits | 2 Players, Grid, 2 legs, Slider Bar, 21 Red Discs, 21 Yellow Discs, Instructions
Ages | 6+
Price |
Connect 4 is another one of the best family board games and best family games for children ages six and up. Designed for two players, the game is played by lining up gold and yellow discs.
Get four in a row of your color, and you win. You can start on the side, go diagonally, or switch things up each play to keep your opponent guessing.
In order to own, you’ll have to become a master of strategy and deception. The game features a modern style and extra ways to play. The colors are upgraded and the unique new game choices will help you stay entertained. Plus, there’s a pop-out feature in this version of Connect 4 that allows you to release a disc from the bottom row to change the sequence above. It’s Connect 4 like you’ve never seen it before!
SHOP CONNECT 4
5. Battleship
Type of Board Game | Guessing Game
Benefits | 2 Portable Cases, Peg, Ship, and Plane Storage, 2 Planes, Ships, Game Board, Instructions, 2 Players
Ages | 7+
Price |
Battleship is a strategy-based guessing game - and it’s likely a game you’re already familiar with. However, this version of Battleship is like nothing else you’ve ever seen before. It features airplanes in addition to ships so you'll be able to engage in some pretty epic battles!
A two-person game, it allows you to sink ships, crash planes, and engage in serious strategy for a one-of-a-kind experience. This twist on the classic game is portable and comes with two separate cases so that you can dive into a game no matter where in the world you might be.
SHOP BATTLESHIP
6. Sequence
Type of Board Game | Card Game
Benefits | 2-12 Players, 1 Folding Game Board, 2 Decks of Playing Cards, 135 Playing Chips, Instructions
Ages | 7+
Price |
Sequence is a fun board game that combines the activity of a roll-and-move game with the strategy of a card game. The object of this game is to get the right number of five card sequences before your opponents do.
Although that game is challenging and stimulating enough for adults, it’s also easy enough for children to learn.
This game is not only fun to play, but it boosts STEM skills and critical thinking skills, too. It can be played in large or small groups - in fact, you can play this game with as many as 12 players!
SHOP SEQUENCE
7. Jenga
Type of Board Game | Puzzle Game
Benefits | 54 Hardwood Blocks, Stacking Sleeve, Instructions, 1+ Players
Ages | 6+
Price |
The goal of Jenga is to pull a block without bringing the entire stack crashing down. When you buy this game, you’ll get 54 blocks along with a stacking sleeve. The rules are simple and the game is timeless. All you need is a bit of strategy and a whole lot of luck.
Jenga is a unique game because it’s one that you can play by yourself or with your entire family. To win, all you need to do is be the last player to remove a block without causing the pile to crash. It’s as simple as that! It’s a great party game for kids and families alike.
SHOP JENGA
8. Pictionary
Type of Board Game | Drawing Game
Benefits | 2 Teams, Pictionary Air Pen, 112 Double-Sided Clue Cards, Card Box, App
Ages | 8+
Price |
Pictionary is a classic family board game, but this version of Pictionary, Pictionary Air, takes things to the next level. In fact, it includes a navy pen and 30% of its clue cards are unique to this fun version.
Pictionary Air lets you get up and moving and can even be paired with the free Pictionary Air app. This app will let you use the built-in camera to point at the illustrator - they’ll appear right on the screen of your smart device!
To play Pictionary Air, you’ll simply take turns drawing clues in the air. Your teammates will guess the images that come up, with the team that occurs the most points winning the game. You can adjust the round timer and round number to give younger players more time to draw, or you can use “Selfie Mode” to draw with no time or round restrictions.
This high-tech game can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. You can cast the gameplay onto your television with Chromecast, Apple TV, or other compatible streaming device. It’s great for any part night and comes with everything you need to get started.
SHOP PICTIONARY
9. Mouse Trap
Type of Board Game | Puzzle Game
Benefits | 2-4 Players, 2 Game Board Pieces, 3 Mouse Figures, Cheese Wedge Spinner and Base
Ages | 6+
Price |
Mouse Trap may take a while to set-up, but once you get it set up, trust us - it’s worth it! This game is a classic board game that’s not only easy to learn but fun to play.
You’ll have to get your mouse all the way around the game board before he gets trapped, and you’ll take turns building the trap while you move around the game board.
To win, you need to use the trap to capture the mice of your opponents - and you need to be the least uncaptured mouse on the game board yourself. This game is great for two to four players and is designed for kids ages six and up.
SHOP MOUSE TRAP
10. Operation
Type of Board Game | Skill and Action Game
Benefits | 1+ Players, Value Cards, Instruction, Ailment Parts and Tweezers Included
Ages | 6+
Price |
The all-time classic game of skill, Operation is a family-friendly favorite that now has an updated look. Cavity Sam, the beloved Operation patient, is not only still feeling under the weather, but he has some funny new ailments to work with, too!
This upgraded version of Operation has thirteen different fun ailment parts and a nose that lights up when the tweezers touch the sides. The player that can remove the most ailments wins - but be careful taking them out! If you bump the sides, you lose your turn.
You can play this game alone or in a group and it’s great for kids who want to practice their “doctor” skills!
SHOP OPERATION
11. Sorry!
Type of Board Game | Roll and Move Game
Benefits | 12 Sorry Pawns, 44 Cards, Instructions, 3 Players
Ages | 6+
Price |
If you’re ready to say goodbye to the television set in favor of a more holistic family game night, you’ll want to consider playing a riveting game of Sorry!
This game is great for parties or family night and combines nostalgic tabletop gameplay with an interactive digital component. It combines all the best of an immersive gaming experience and is perfect for every age, event, and taste. When you buy this game, you will not only receive a set of highly detailed instructions, but you’ll also get 44 cards and 12 Sorry Pawns so you can play with multiple players.
SHOP SORRY!
12. Trivial Pursuit
Type of Board Game | Puzzle Game
Benefits | 1400 Trivia Questions, 240 Cards, 36 Wedges, Die, Instructions, 2 Card Holders, 6 Movers
Ages | 8+
Price |
If you love Trivial Pursuit but think it might be a bit too challenging for your whole family, you should consider playing this puzzle game instead. It’s the trivial Pursuit you know and love, but it’s designed for kids and families so the questions are a bit more accessible for players of all ages.
With more than 1,400 questions, this game will keep you entertained for hours. It has a ton of fresh new questions along with a quick pace and a Showdown Challenge where two players can compete for one wedge at the same time. The questions are broken down into six categories: Geography, History, Entertainment, Sports and Leisure, Science and Nature, and Arts and Literature.
SHOP TRIVIAL PURSUIT
13. Monopoly
Type of Board Game | Roll and Move Game
Benefits | Storage for Tokens, 2-6 Players, 6 Character Tokens
Ages | 8+
Price |
Monopoly is the perfect family-friendly board game, and this version takes things up a notch as it has a fun Toy Story theme. You’ll be able to celebrate all of the Toy Story movies with special character tokens, birthday cards,Andy's Toy Chest cards, and more.
When you and your family sit down to play this game, you’ll each be able to choose one of your favorite Toy Story characters - Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and more. It’s a bit easier than the classic Monopoly game for kids to master and has similar rules that are designed for kids ages eight and up.
SHOP MONOPOLY
14. Checkers
Type of Board Game | Strategy Game
Benefits | Folding Game Board, Interlocking Checkers
Ages | 6+
Price |
The quintessential two-person strategy game, Checkers is played on a checkerboard with 64 squares on an 8x8 grid. The perfect addition to a classic game collection, Checkers is a timeless game that everyone in your family will love.
This version comes with a heavy-duty folding game board for easy storage. It also has interlocking checkers and is great for teaching the next generation of aspiring checkers players. It’s best for ages six and up.
SHOP CHECKERS
15. Perfection
Type of Board Game | Puzzle Game
Benefits | 1+ Players, No Batteries Required
Ages | 5+
Price |
Designed for children five and up, Perfection is the fun popping board game and is still considered one of the best family games that can entertain kids of all ages - as well as those who are kids at heart!
With this game, you’ll work to beat the clock to match all of the shapes before the pieces pop back up in your face! You can play by yourself or with a friend. It has bright neon colors that are a fresh, fun departure from the original.
Plus, this upgraded version comes with a bottom storage area so that you can easily stash the pieces below. Match all the pieces before the timer goes off to win!
SHOP PERFECTION
Honorable Mention
UNO
Type of Board Game | Card Game
Benefits | 32 Special Action Cards, 112 Cards
Ages | 7+
Price |
UNO is the classic card game of colors, numbers, and matching pairs. To play, participants will take turns matching their cards with the color or number cards on the top of the decks. You can write your own rules with the included customizable cards and you’ll score points by being the very first to get rid of the cards in your hand.
Play just one round, or play to 500 points - the choice is yours! UNO is great for game night and comes with 32 special action cards for an always unpredictable game.
SHOP UNO
Make Game Night Extra Special With These Top Classic Family Board Games
Looking for some awesome game night ideas? Look no further than this list of the best board games and best family games. There’s no better way to bond with your family and enjoy quality time with your friends than to engage in one of these top classic family board games from your childhood.
Lisa Czachowski is a professional social blogger and has worked on several online publications including Citrus Sleep. Lisa is an experienced content writer and copyeditor. You will find many of her works throughout CitrusSleep.com that cover a wide array of subjects including sustainability, natural, sleep products, health, fashion and many more. She is passionate about what providing as much information as possible on products you bring in your home and what we wear.
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