Game Info

Board games bring people together, not only by the shared activity, but through the laughing and talking that goes on during game play. Organizing a family game night is a great way to enjoy some quality time together.

The best board games for your family game night may be completely different than for the family next door. Your favorites will also change as your family grows and your children become able to play more grown-up games. Fortunately, toy stores are stocked with a wide variety of board games and new ones are being created all the time.

When it comes to games, everyone has different strengths. Planning your game night with board games that appeal to different types of skills (logic, math, reading, trivia knowledge, etc.) gives each family member a chance to shine.

Board Games for Families with Young Children

There are many board games specifically created for the youngest players and several classic board games come in “Junior” editions. Some kid-geared classics, like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders, are great fun for kids, but put their older opponents to sleep. Fortunately, there are several board games that are both simple enough for young kids and entertaining for older players.

1. Cranium Cariboo – A treasure hunt game, where matching activities lead players to the hidden treasure.

2. Pictionary Junior – Get your team to guess what you are drawing. In this junior edition, themes are geared for kids and two-sided cards let younger players have an easier clue to draw.

3. Scrabble Junior Edition – A two-sided board lets players match their tiles to printed words or play their own words with simple scoring rules.

4. Sorry! – The classic board game where players try to be the first to get all their pawns home, while sending their opponents back to start.

5. Twister – Game night doesn’t have to mean sitting around a table. Get up and moving with this classic game of entanglement.

Board Games for Families with Older Children

Kids who have outgrown “Junior” board games, are ready for more of a challenge. Many board games merge education with fun. They also encourage taking turns and learning to be both a humble winner and a gracious loser.

1. Blokus – A strategy board game where players attempt to place all of their tiles onto the gameboard according to the game rules. (Trickier than it sounds!)

2. Monopoly – The classic real estate game where buying and selling properties can make players rich or send them into bankruptcy.