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Experts Tell Us the Best Family Board Games

This article showcases our top picks for the Best Family Board Games. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below). We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.

Werewords

This product was recommended by AJ Hansen from Bandpass Design

When it comes to family board games you’re aiming to find a game that is exciting enough for both kids and adults, but isn’t too complicated or too long. Werewords hits the nail on the head on all of those. A game takes 5-10 minutes to play and the game can accommodate 4 to 10 players, making it a great game for families of all sizes. The Werewolf theme makes it fun and suspenseful, without being too scary for kids as well. Every player has a role in the game. The Mayor chooses a secret word that only the Seer and the Werewolves can see. The rest of the players then get 4 minutes to ask yes or no questions to help figure out who the Werewolf is before the Werewolf discovers the Seer.

Gaming The Game of Life Board Game

This product was recommended by Lexi Cederholm from Supplement Warehouse

I would say that the best family board game is the game of life, especially when the kids are on the younger side. It includes a spinner and money and buying houses and lots of cards with fun pictures that younger kids love. The playing pieces are cars and you have a job, a salary, a family, a house etc. and it is a lot of fun to pick those things out for yourself as the cards have descriptions and photos that make it all the more fun and interesting. I would strongly recommend this game for families! As I played with my family when I was younger!

Trekking the World

This product was recommended by Bridget Nocera from Push The Envelope PR

For a more advanced game that will still be hours of fun for the entire family, try Trekking the World: a game that helps you share your greatest memories and dreams of travel. Inspire your family and friends to explore the world with this remarkable and intelligent game, designed by passionate travelers and based on an award-winning game design.

Blinks by Move38 – Blinks Game System

This product was recommended by Rita Tennyson from Move38

It’s a board game with no board–glowing smart pieces that you can play with anywhere–each piece has its own game and can teach the other pieces to play!

Not Parent Approved: A Fun Card Game for the Family

This product was recommended by Joe Moran from Poplisticle

Much like the adult card game Cards Against Humanity that this game is inspired by, it’s quick to learn and simple to play. Also just as hilarious. The family-friendly game cues players to fill in the blank of random questions. Then each person chooses a card in their hand that they think will be the best answer. Count on having a blast as the answer cards are super ridiculous and the funny combinations are endless. Being a winner of Scholastic’s Gold Star Toy Award as well makes this an easy addition to family game night.

Do You Really Know Your Family? A Fun Family Game

This product was recommended by Sherry Morgan from Petsolino

This is such a fun game that I always play with my kids, as the question will really make you think if your knowledge about a family member is already enough. It’s a very fun game that challenges you to know your family better but in a way that doesn’t offend anyone or hurt their feelings. It’s interactive and won’t bore you even a little. It’s a pretty simple game to understand–nothing too complicated, yet challenging and entertaining even if played everyday.

Outfoxed – a Cooperative Whodunit Board Game

This product was recommended by Nicole Evert from Creating Butterflies

We absolutely love Outfoxed with our family. Not only can the entire family play from our 3 year old all the way to our pre-teen daughter, but we enjoy it as adults too. We all work together to try to outfox the fox and catch the thief. Since we all work towards a common goal, our family isn’t just playing a game, we are building positive relationships and supporting each other. We find that our older children are more willing to share their strategies and teach their younger siblings, making this game more enjoyable for everyone. If you haven’t tried a cooperative game with your family, Outfox is just the right game to try them out.

The Settlers of Catan

This product was recommended by Eric Powers from Big Game Pro Shop

People who enjoy strategy games will adore Settler’s because it not only involves plenty of that combo but also takes into account trading, negotiation and general social interaction through playing time. Adults can play this with kids or teenagers as long as they’re strong communicators. It relies on clear communication both verbally and nonverbally to progress around the map successfully cooperatively. 1. Players interact with each other in a usually positive way. Even if they’re enacting violence against one another, there’s a competitive spirit that makes people want to do their best and then reevaluate their social relationships based on how they treated each other at the game table. 2. The rules are simple enough for children to learn quickly. Some national tournaments have been held for elementary school students competing alongside adults, and grown-ups have often found themselves learning new skills from watching young players play Settlers well while they wait for their turn.

Googly Eyes Game

This product was recommended by Ashley Havecker from The Irish Twins Momma

It is pretty new but my family absolutely loves it. It is so much fun watching them try to draw with the wacky glasses on and seeing how some of the pictures turn out is absolutely amazing. It is a really fun game for ages around 7 and up.

Ticket to Ride Board Game

This product was recommended by Mark Coster from STEM Geek

Ticket to Ride is one of our top favorite family board games. It can be played by everyone – from our youngest kid to the oldest adult. It is very visual, not heavy on rules, and pretty straightforward for younger kids to learn. At the same time, it is not too easy and boring for those who are interested in more sophisticated games – I say this as a self-confessed board game geek! As a parent, I can also see a lot of educational opportunities for kids to learn geography and planning skills. In short, Ticket to Ride is a great all-rounder game.

Azul Board Game

This product was recommended by J Thomas McAlister from N/A

This game has been one of the most popular games in the past few years. Players take turns picking lovely, colorful tiles. You earn points based on patterns and sets you collect. 2-4 players.

USAOPOLY Thanos Rising

This product was recommended by J Thomas McAlister from N/A

A game of 2-4 Marvel heroes trying to work together to stop Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones! This game is a cooperative game, so you are working together to win instead of fighting each other. Cooperative games are usually more challenging, so be prepared!

CASHFLOW Board Game

This product was recommended by Zach L. from Pineapple Money

Cashflow the board game is the go-to game to teach your children about money. We all know that teaching our children is important, so why shouldn’t we teach them about money as well? This game is really fun to play and helps your children learn money skills in a fun way.

Catan Board Game

This product was recommended by Zack Downes from Rolling Six Reviews

You asked for the best family board games that I enjoy playing. I enjoy playing two games in particular, all of them strategy games. The first game is called Settlers of Catan. It’s a German-style board game that’s a lot like Monopoly, but you need to try to gain as many points by building different things on the board to score.

Rio Grande Games Puerto Rico Deluxe

This product was recommended by Zack Downes from Rolling Six Reviews

it’s a strategy game based on colonization of the Caribbean. Everyone starts with just two plantations, and by acquiring resources from the board game, you can build more. However, it’s also based on a worker’s placement board game framework: You have to decide where to put your workers and how to move them around to get the resources you need. It’s a very interesting game, kind of like a more complicated version of one of those roll a dice and move your piece that many spaces kinds of games, except you can move more than one piece per turn, you can also buy and sell resources.

Blue Orange Gobblet Gobblers Board Game

This product was recommended by Leo Young from OptimizedFamily

For families with young children, Gobblet Gobblers is a terrific board game. Parents, siblings, and friends can play with children as early as five years old. This is a strategy game that is based on the classic game of tic tac toe. The difference is that you take over your opponent’s spot by placing a huge gobbler on top of their smaller one. When they have three of the same color on the board, they are considered the winner. This board game is fantastic because it allows you to observe your child’s critical thinking and strategic planning. It’s a great board game for both youngsters and adults.

Wooden Shut The Box Game

This product was recommended by Wayne Tan from LifeChamp

It is a wooden shut the box game. This is a board game that can be played up to 4 players and it is currently 4.8 stars on Amazon. I have added Dare Cards into the game to make it even more fun to play. The loser will have to complete a funny action and this will definitely make a family burst into laughter!

Hasbro Clue Game

This product was recommended by Peter Demings from Tennis Shoez

This game holds a special place in my heart. I used to play this with my siblings when I was younger. It is a great way to spend time with your family. I would recommend everyone to play this game to relax and have fun.

The Exploding Kittens Board Game

This product was recommended by Jack Miller from How I Get Rid Of

I just love this game !!! It is suitable for the whole family to play, on the same level and is basically Russian roulette with kittens. Our whole family find it to be funny and quirky.

Connect 4 Grab & Go

This product was recommended by Jack Miller from How I Get Rid Of

This portable version is so cool. We take it with us whenever the family goes out. The design allows for secure storage for all the pieces, it is durable, and my kids even put their cellphones down to play it.

The Melissa & Doug Suspend Family Game

This product was recommended by Jack Miller from How I Get Rid Of

A great game for everyone. Young or old, it will help you to learn and improve your motor skills. An eye for balance and a steady hand is the name of the….well…game. It is durable and good quality.

Hasbro Family Grab and Go Variety Pack Bundle

This product was recommended by Heloise Blause from Home Kitchen Land

This bundle includes Hasbro Monopoly Grab, Connect 4, Clue, and Elefun and Friends Hungry Hungry Hippos. The perfect size for a family who likes to get out and about, whether on a plane, camping or just visiting friends. This will keep your younger ones entertained for hours. My top tip is for parents who are finding homeschooling a challenge, this makes an ideal break to change up the mood! Ssshhhhh!!

I Saw It First! Ocean: A Family Spotting Game

This product was recommended by Liam Davies from Fishing Command

As an ocean lover, and especially all things fishy, I Saw It First! Ocean: A Family Spotting Game is one of those must-haves that should be in every family board game collection. Depicting three hundred ocean creatures on the board in this beautifully crafted game, you pick a counter from the box and be the first to spot that animal on the board! Some are familiar like the blue whale, sockeye salmon, and the clownfish, others less so, like the water bear, barreleye, and horse-eye jack. It comes in a triangular box with a hexagonal double-sided board, I Saw It First! Ocean features delightful illustrations by the very talented Caroline Selmes. Simple to understand but addictive to play, this fun and challenging game will amuse adults and children alike, a plus in this game is that you can make the game as long or short as you want and play in teams or as single players. A big thumbs up from all Grandparents too! A brilliant, magnificent game, wonderfully designed, that will foster your children’s knowledge and love for all ocean creatures.

Heads Up! Party Board Game

This product was recommended by Sandra Blair from CoffeeShan

It is an updated version of charades. It is great to play with a large number of friends and groups. It has cards of various categories which can be chose according to everyone’s preferences. I love this game because anyone from any age group can easily play this game. You will be laughing throughout this game. Also, you don’t have to buy the board version to play this game you can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Cash Flow 101

This product was recommended by Arun Grewal from CoffeeBrewingPro

Cash Flow 101 is a great game for the whole family and could be compared to a more realistic monopoly. It teaches you about money management and is a real eye-opener to the world of money and your own crippling money habits that are keeping you in the ‘rat race. I’ve played this game many times with all ages and each time you play you’ll always learn something new that you can apply to your real life. Previously, as an accounting student, it helped me learn about balance sheets and income statements in a more practical way.

Ticket to Ride First Journey Board Game

This product was recommended by Corritta Lewis from It’s a Family Thing

One of the best family board games for families that love to travel is Ticket to Ride – First Journey. This game is fun for the entire family as you race across the country to claim the golden ticket. Your kids become engineers as they use the guide to create routes with the plastic trains. This board game helps promote strategy, problem-solving, and screen-free family fun. Take a journey across the US without leaving your house, while your kids control the trains. This is one of the perfect games for a fun family night.

Blue Orange Games Photosynthesis Board Game

This product was recommended by May Flanagan from Global Green Family

If you’re on the hunt for a board game that’s perfect for family fun and is also educational, then you’ll love the Blue Orange Games Photosynthesis Board Game. This board game is a nature-inspired strategy game and is fun to play with family and friends. The main idea of this game is that you’ll take your trees throughout their life cycle (from seedling stage, to full bloom, to rebirth), and you can earn points when their leaves collect energy from the revolving sun’s rays. What’s also great about this product is that it stays true to planet protection because it only uses recycled materials for its pieces and packaging.

Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Outdoor Indoor Card Game

This product was recommended by David Johnson from Barbecue Logic

I simply wanted to share something. Every weekend, I enjoy having a backyard barbecue with my friends and family. Having this Hapinest Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt Card Game is a fantastic activity for us. A great way for adults and children to bond. It allows families and friends to spend quality time together. This game is a suitable educational activity for children as young as six as well as for their parents. We play it both outside and indoors. What I enjoy most about grilling is watching them enjoy the game.

Kids Against Maturity Card Game

This product was recommended by Marta Meerlaide from Ninja Casino

The silly card game phase hasn’t passed yet, so it only makes sense to get the entire family into it. Cards Against Humanity isn’t suitable for the entire family, but Kids Against Maturity is perfect for everyone and is a lot of fun. It is nice and simple to learn, requires no setup, and a game can be completed quickly before the family starts to get restless. Also, it encourages conversation and can enhance your critical thinking skills!

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Written by Zak Parker

Journalist, writer, musician, professional procrastinator. I'll add more here later.

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