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The best family board games that we play and love. These board games and card games are great for connecting as a family and having fun!
Updated November 2023
We’ve had many favorite board games and card games over the years. A powerful feeling of connection through shared experiences can happen as children play and learn through game playing.
Additionally, many games are quite educational and help us develop strategy, spatial skills, deduction, cooperation, literacy, and more.
We still play and love many of the games listed in the post linked above, but we have also discovered many new games since, both on our own and from your recommendations. Check out this updated list of all-time favorites!
Our Favorite Family Games
These games all made the list because they’re easy to learn and fun enough for the whole family to enjoy. We’ve listed the suggested age for each game, but many can be adapted for younger kids, especially if your little one teams up with a grownup for game night!
Kingdomino is an award-winning tabletop game that’s easy to learn with layers of strategy for more advanced play. It might be the perfect “gateway game” for kids who are starting to show interest in more complex game play. The components are high quality and the theming is just so fun! (ages 8+)
Every picture tells a story – but what story will your picture tell? Dixit is the lovingly illustrated game of creative guesswork, where your imagination unlocks the tale. Players use the beautiful imagery on their cards to bluff their opponents and guess which image matches the story. I can’t wait to try out this Disney version as well! (ages 8+)
A game of suspense, strategy, and anticipation. Get rid of the high cards (rats) and go for the low cards (cats). Sneak a peek, draw two, or swap cards for an added twist. Rat-a-tat-Cat might be our most-played game ever. It is enjoyed by all ages (even grownups) and you can play a round in a short amount of time. We squeeze a game or two in before school or take this with us to the coffee shop. (ages 6+)
Qwirkle is as simple as matching colors and shapes, but this game also requires tactical maneuvers and well-planned strategy. Earn points by building rows and columns of tiles that share a common color or shape without allowing duplicates. Or try Travel Qwirkle! (ages 6+)
We love a cooperative board game in our family, and Race to the Treasure is one of our favorites. You’ll work together to build a path and collect keys, but be careful- you don’t want that ogre to beat you to the end! (ages 5+)
Telestrations is the visual version of the classic “telephone game” where you draw what you see, then guess what you saw to reveal hilarious outcomes! This is the perfect party game, extra fun with lots of people. (The box recommends ages 12+, but we’ve played with kids as young as 7!)
This beautifully illustrated bingo game features 54 gorgeous game cards complete with fascinating natural history facts. I love that this set’s sturdy pieces and handy drawstring bag for storage. (ages 5+)
Tired of endless rounds of Candy Land? This is the game for you! Choose your unicorn (each one is a sturdy wooden game piece) and race through the clouds, collecting crystals along the way. Fans of Glitterluck will also love her cloud stacking game. (ages 3+)
This game is so much fun for kids and adults alike! Not your typical board game, players race through the halls of their 3-D “ice school” by flicking penguins around the rooms, through doorways, and even over walls. I can’t wait to expand our board with Ice Cool 2! (ages 6+)
The original Ticket to Ride board game is simple enough for many kids to enjoy, but you can also get Ticket to Ride: First Journey for kids as young as six. Your family will have fun building tracks and connecting cities across a map of North America (or Europe or New York or San Fransisco…), completing train routes and fulfilling destination tickets.
Wits and Wagers is the perfect party game, fun for all ages. It’s essentially a trivia game, but the questions are wild, making the answers anyone’s guess! As long as your child can write numbers, they can play (and maybe even win!). (ages 6+)
Sushi Go is a current favorite at our house. It’s fast-paced, easy to learn, and takes only 15 minutes to play. Players compete to collect cards, scoring points for various sets. There’s also a party edition that’s lots of fun and great for groups of up to 8! (ages 8+)
Sequence is super easy to learn, but has enough strategy to keep adults engaged too. Play a card from your hand and cover the corresponding spot on the board. Five in a row is a sequence! A classic game that’s perfect for a mixed group. (ages 7+) For even younger gamers, try Sequence for Kids (ages 3+)
Cat Crimes is a fun logic game that kids can even play by themselves. Set up the board and review the clues… can you deduce which cat is the one to blame? (ages 8+)
This dice rolling game is absolutely adorable, and so much fun to play! Great for fans of Yahtzee who are looking for a little more depth and variation, Spots might just become a new family favorite.
How about you? What are the best kids games in your opinion? Which ones are your family’s favorites?
More Board Games and Toys for Kids
- The BEST Family Board Games by Age (Toddlers, Preschoolers, Big Kids)
- The Best Open Ended Toys for Kids to Foster Creativity & Imagination
- Creative Gift Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Creative Gifts for Kids Who Love to Build
- 12 Kids Art Games for Fun and Creativity
- 10 Fun Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids
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