Family board games are a great way to bring everyone together and have some fun!
From classics like Monopoly and Clue, to new favorites like Ticket to Ride and Jenga, there’s something for everyone in the family.
Whether you’re looking for something fast-paced or slow-paced, challenging or easy, educational or just fun, there’s a perfect game out there waiting for you.
Our 3 Absolute Favourite Family Games
We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 favorite board games that families can play together. From strategy games that require critical thinking skills to party games that will get everyone laughing, these picks are sure to provide hours of entertainment. So grab your dice and let the good times roll!
10 of the Best Family Board Games
1. Catan
One of the most popular board games for families, Catan is a fun strategy game that requires players to collect resources and build roads, settlements, and cities on their own individual boards.
- Fun strategy game that teaches critical thinking skills
- Increases collaboration and fosters teamwork
- Ideal for a variety of ages – children, teens and parents can all enjoy it!
- Easy to learn with simple rules and exciting gameplay
- Builds communication skills as players trade resources with one another
2. Ticket to Ride
A more simple game than Catan, Ticket to Ride is a card-based game in which players compete to build the longest train routes between cities on a map of North America.
- Easy to learn with simple rules and exciting gameplay
- Perfect for families of all ages, from children to adults
- Builds problem-solving skills as players strategize about building their routes
- Improves strategic thinking by encouraging players to think ahead of their opponents
- Enhances collaboration and communication as players collect cards that help each other build their trains
3. Pandemic
This cooperative game pits players against diseases that are threatening to spread across the world.
Players take on different roles, such as a Scientist or a Medic, and work together to cure four deadly diseases before an outbreak occurs.
- Teaches teamwork and collaboration as players work together to fight the spread of the disease
- Enhances problem-solving skills as players strategize how to use their resources best
- Increases strategic thinking by encouraging players to think ahead of their opponents
- Fun way for families of all ages to learn more about epidemiology and global health challenges
- Develops communication skills among family members as they discuss strategies and collaborate on solutions
4. Azul
Azul is a tile-laying game in which players compete to create the most beautiful wall pattern.
Players take turns drafting colored tiles from the market, and then place them on their boards.
- Fun and challenging tile-laying game that helps develop problem-solving skills
- Ideal for families of all ages, from children to adults
- Encourages strategic thinking as players plan out their tiles
- Enhances communication among family members as they collaborate on strategies and discuss solutions
- Builds collaboration by enabling players to work together towards a common goal
5. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a classic tile-laying game that requires players to build a countryside complete with roads, cities, monasteries, and farms.
Players place tiles on the board and then claim their completed areas. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
- Fun and challenging tile-laying game that promotes critical thinking
- Ideal for families of all ages, from children to adults
- Enhances communication among family members as they collaborate on strategies and discuss solutions
- Builds collaboration by enabling players to work together towards a common goal
- Increases strategic thinking by encouraging players to think ahead of their opponents
6. Codenames
In this word association game, two teams compete to uncover secret agents hidden among a grid of 25 cards.
Players take turns giving one-word clues that can point to multiple cards on the board. The first team to uncover all their agents wins the game.
- A challenging and engaging game that develops problem-solving skills
- Perfect for families of all ages, from children to adults
- Enhances communication among family members as they discuss strategies and collaborate on solutions
- Builds teamwork by helping players work together towards a common goal
- Strengthens strategic thinking by encouraging players to think ahead of their opponents
7. 7 Wonders
Players build ancient civilizations by collecting resources and building structures in this card-based game.
The game is played in three rounds, with players drawing cards and using them to build or upgrade their civilization. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
- Explore ancient civilizations in a fun, strategic card game
- Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Enhance communication among family members by discussing strategies and collaborating on solutions
- Strengthen teamwork by encouraging players to work together towards a common goal
- Increase strategic planning as players plan ahead of their opponents
8. Forbidden Island
In this adventure game, players work together to find four sacred treasures on an island that’s gradually sinking into the sea.
The players must make clever use of their resources in order to survive and find the treasures before it’s too late.
- Enjoy a thrilling adventure as you work together with your family to beat the rising waters and find the treasures
- Develop problem-solving skills by making clever use of resources to survive
- Strengthen teamwork by helping players work together towards a common goal
- Increase strategic planning as players plan ahead of the game’s obstacles
9. Kingdomino
Players compete to build the most impressive kingdom in this tile-laying game.
Players take turns drafting tiles from a stack, placing them on their boards, claiming areas, and earning points for connecting matching terrains.
- Stimulating and engaging tile-laying game that develops problem-solving skills
- Perfect for families of all ages, from children to adults
- Enhances communication among family members as they collaborate on strategies and discuss solutions
- Builds collaboration by encouraging players to work together towards a common goal
- Increases strategic thinking by stimulating players to think ahead of their opponents
10. Dixit
In this storytelling game, players try to guess which card from their hand matches a storyteller’s description.
Players take turns creating stories and matching images, with others trying to guess which card they’re talking about.
- Enjoy a creative, story-telling game that encourages players to think outside the box
- Enhance communication among family members as they collaborate on strategies and discuss solutions
- Develops critical thinking skills by stimulating players’ imaginations
- Strengthens collaboration by enabling players to work together towards a common goal
Final thoughts 💭
These are our 10 favourite board games for families — sure to provide hours of fun and entertainment! So what are you waiting for? Grab a few friends or family members and get playing!
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