Looking to put a fresh spin on game night? Tired of playing the same games over and over with your preschooler, or looking for a way to stretch your elementary-aged child? Trying to find a new challenge for the whole family, teenagers included? Then look no further!
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Board Games for the Littles
These board games are best for toddlers and preschoolers ages three and older.
Frida’s Fruit Fiesta Game :: This incredibly colorful game is a fun way to practice letter recognition and matching skills. After spinning for a letter, use the Frida Squeezer to find the letter match and place it in the correct bowl.
Hoot Owl Hoot :: For two to four players, this cooperative game requires everyone to work together to get the baby owls back to their nest. In addition to being absolutely darling, this is perfect for littles with big feelings when it comes to losing (or winning) alone.
Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game :: This is a great game for hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and counting. Help the mischievous squirrel collect or steal acorns for your tree. The squirrel grabber is so much fun, and helps toddlers practice their fine motor skills. This game also helped teach our kids that sometimes it’s okay to lose all your acorns. I even find my son using his imagination to make up his own games with these pieces on his own.
Uncle Wiggily :: Crafted in 1916, this vintage board game introduces young players to Uncle Wiggly, a rabbit gentleman who needs help getting to Dr. Possum’s house. Draw cards and read the number and/or rhyme to move your character. Much like Candyland, this game reinforces counting and taking turns, but includes early-literacy skills with numbers and words. Enjoy the fun rhymes on each card along the way.
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Board Games for Lower Elementary
Kids put their wits, speed, and coordination to the test with these games for ages six and older. Most are for 2 – 4 players, too.
Burger Mania :: Warning — playing this game with your kids will almost certainly result in them winning and you losing! This fast-paced game is a race to fulfill the correct burger order, all while the conveyor belt keeps things moving. This is a great hand-eye coordination game.
Dragonwood :: This game is a great way to practice skills for strategy and thinking ahead. Collect dice to roll against your foes in this mythical game of magical creatures (amazingly illustrated) and humor.
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Kingdomino :: This tile-placing game is fun for the whole family. Similar to a domino, each tile has two parts which you use to create your kingdom and earn points. If you’ve already played this game, check out Queendomino, where knights help you build and create new elements for your kingdom in order to win the Queen’s favor.
Minecraft Heroes of the Village :: Looking for a way to connect with your Minecraft-obsessed kiddo? This cooperative board game is a great launching point. Learn all about the Minecraft world and its terminology while working together to defend your village from a raid.
Bonus:: This game only takes about 25 minutes to play. If you’re looking for another board game for your Minecraft-lover that is a bit more advanced and strategy-based, check out Minecraft Builders and Biomes for ages 10 and up.
Plunder: A Pirate’s Life :: Arrr, matey! You don’t want to miss this amazing strategy game, complete with ship and cannon pieces! The board’s ocean tiles can be configured in so many ways, making the game unique each time. Build and command your fleet of ships to plunder the treasure and win the game. The rules are quick to learn, and up to six people can play together, with the option of forming teams for larger groups.
Board Games for Upper Elementary and Middle School
These games are best suited for ages eight and up.
Dixit :: Use your storytelling abilities to give a one-word clue that depicts the beautiful illustration on your card. Each player picks a card in their hand that matches your clue, and in a reverse Apples to Apples format, the group of players decides which card best fits the descriptor you chose. There are so many versions of this game, including a fun Disney-themed one!
King of Tokyo :: Fight your way to victory as you build your monster, heal, or game attack your nemesis to become the King of Tokyo. This game is for two to six players, and is an exciting (albeit chaotic) and colorful strategy-building game.
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Really Loud Librarians :: Does your crew enjoy loud, rambunctious shouting games? Then this is the game for you! This fast-paced game involves drawing a card and shouting out answers that coincide with the alphabet letter your character is parked at on the racetrack board. This is a great party game for two or more players.
Splendor :: This heavily strategic, Renaissance-themed game involves collecting gems of specific types to win points and become the wealthiest merchant. This game is super fun even with only two people, but up to four can join.
Tsuro :: The art and board components for this Japanese-themed game are absolutely stunning. It is a path-making game for up to eight players and involves placing tiles on the board to move your stone to victory, and eliminate the other stones along the way. This game is quick to learn and play.
Board Games for the Whole Family
These games are easy to learn and make for hours of belly laughs. They also accommodate lots of players, so save them for family game night, holidays, cousin sleepovers, etc.
Cartographers :: This fantasy map-drawing game is very unique. Each player draws his or her own map based on the “season” and cards that are overturned. Beware of beasts along the way.
Funfair :: Build your own theme park, and plan carefully to earn money from your guests, complete challenges, and meet your park goals by game’s end.
Herd Mentality :: The box says it’s best for readers, but even non-readers will get a kick out of this game with a little help from a big sibling. One player reads a question, and everyone else writes down an answer. Players take turns reading their answers. The players with matching answers win cows!
Hues and Cues :: This color-guessing game involves one or two-word clues to guess very specific hues from the four hundred and eighty on the board.
Trekking the National Parks :: Learn about our national parks (and dream of where you’ll travel next) in this fun map-based board game. Work hard to purchase different parks while traveling around the map.
