I wish I were the mom who could play pretend with her kids, but trying to get into the exact character my daughters expected was tough. And I usually disappointed them with my performance. But I loved building LEGOs, doing puzzles, reading books, and was ecstatic when we could finally play a board game as a family. I think I even said to a fellow mom friend, “I feel like the moment your kid can play board games, your new life begins.”
Like so many families, our game nights started with Candyland as soon as my kid could recognize colors, Zingo once they could recognize pictures, and Chutes and Ladders once they could count. As they grew, we branched into stacking games like Animals Upon Animals and retro board games like Guess Who. Now that my kids are tweens, we can play longer-form strategic board games of family Monopoly and Clue.
If family game nights are in your future, or you’re looking for gift ideas for kids, take a look at this list of the best board games for kids of all ages, all editor-tested and kid-approved.
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How I chose the best family board games
Not only are the best board games fun, but they should be easy for kids to grasp the rules and start playing. Here was the criteria I used when reviewing and choosing the best board games:
- Ease of setup and directions
- Learning potential
- Fun for kids to play now and as they grow
- Fun for adults to play with kids
- Editor-tested, kid-approved, stellar online reviews
Why board games make great gifts for kids
So many parents and gift givers look for birthday and holiday gifts that aren’t toys, and board games fit the bill. Not only might kids learn something while playing—pattern recognition, cooperation, sportsmanship, strategic thinking, and more—but the best board games are something families tend to hold onto and play for generations. My mom still has our now “retro versions” of Sorry! and Scattergories that my kids use now. And as a bonus, board games are budget-friendly and come in boxes, making them easy to gift wrap, too! Here are my favorites for kids of all ages:
Best family board games for kids ages 3-5
Perfect for pre-schoolers and kindergartners just learning their colors, numbers, and how to take turns, these games will reinforce learning while entertaining them. At their ages, they’re a long way off from a night of Monopoly, so these games are built for younger attention spans, too (most can be played in around 10 minutes).
This Jenga-like stacking game is easier to play for little ones. It’s hands-on fun for up to four players, with rules easy for young kids to follow while they work on their fine motor skills
Chutes and Ladders has ancient roots, with a similar snakes and ladders (AKA vice and virtue) game played in India as early as the second century AD. Not only does this board game help kids practice their counting, but it’s also a lesson in making good choices (i.e., eating too much candy can lead to a tummy ache).
Invented by a school teacher looking for a way to entertain children in her polio ward (thank you, teachers!), this board game holds up even after 77+ years. In this latest edition, new, updated characters arrive with easier-to-clean-up pieces and bagged storage.
Zingo! is a fun take on BINGO that is great for the whole family. And, there are ways to adjust difficulty, so you can keep playing as your kids grow.
If you’re a Bluey family, this interactive scavenger hunt game is a team effort. The simple rules are easy to follow for young kids: Pick your favorite character to move around the board, roll the dice, and land on a category to draw one of the scavenger hunt cards. Follow the prompts, and work against the clock before the timer goes off for “bedtime.” Plus, there’s some fun Bluey trivia, too!
This six-foot epic game board is for all the Disney lovers. Race through the game board, finding classic Disney objects hidden within the beautiful illustrations before the timer runs out. My family loves this game, and it’s so fun when we get to collectively work as a team.
My kids have been beating me at this Princess Matching game since they were toddlers. It’s fun to play as soon as they can recognize pictures and understand the very basic rules of the game. Other themed versions are available if your kid isn’t in their princess era.
For kiddos not likely to sit still for a traditional board game, this active game is a mix between hot potato and charades. Each card has a silly activity a player needs to do while holding the chicken—just don’t be holding him when the timer runs out.
Best family board games for kids ages 6-8
As kids head to elementary school, their skill levels increase. Not only can they now read on their own, but they can start to think through more strategic games, so you can consider playing the “junior” versions, like Catan Jr., Monopoly Jr., Clue Jr., and more. The middle childhood years are when family game nights start getting extra fun!
This fun game has just one simple rule: Each piece must touch another of the same color, but only at the corners. Players take turns placing their 21 pieces on the board, with this version even including textured pieces for color-blind individuals.
This classic two-player game dates back to the 1900s—1974, to be exact. In this updated version, blue blocker discs bump up the strategic play (but for the younger players, starting with the simpler yellow and reds might be best!) If kids already love this game, try Connect 4 Frenzy, which came out in 2025.
In the junior version of this popular board game, players control their own civilization and try to compete with the other players to dominate more of the board. While Catan has been criticized for encouraging colonization, families could also use it to open the door to thoughtful learning conversations.
BINGO gets the National Park treatment with a game that’s both beautiful and offers a learning opportunity as cards include National Park landmarks, wildlife, and more.
Ah, the hours I spent in my friend’s basement hitting the “pop o’matic” bubble to get my little pegs out of trouble. This retro board game, inspired by the Indian game Pachisi, still holds up as a fun option today.
Also inspired by Pachisi, in Sorry!, game pieces slide, move, and try to avoid getting sent back to home in this 2-4 player board game, that also encourages apologizing to one’s opponent.
This two-player guessing game—where kids use simple yes/no questions to deduce their opponent’s character—has been getting the Gen Z treatment on TikTok with viral videos where adults adjust the rules (i.e. non-appearance based questions only). An animals-only version is also available.
Another yes/no question game, Hedbanz adds a little silly to game night. This game requires you to, you guessed it, wear a headband holding a picture card you’ll have to guess with yes or no questions. My kids reach for this one on playdates with their friends all the time.
Best family board games for kids ages 8+
Longer attention spans open up possibilities for longer-format games that kids and parents can enjoy together, such as Monopoly. Additionally, kids’ improved spelling and reading skills enable them to participate in more word games, such as Boggle or Bananagrams.
A game of strategy set, the goal of Ticket to Ride is to complete your routes across the country, use up your train cars, and find ways to earn extra points. We pull out Ticket to Ride when we’re ready to settle into a family game night, as it does take about an hour or so to play.
Players must work as detectives to solve a murder mystery using clues they gather throughout the game.
The property game everyone knows about is still as popular as ever, as players buy and develop real estate, collect rent, and pay taxes. A family game of Monopoly can last a long time, so don’t be afraid to take a break and come back to the board.
Battleship is a classic game of strategy, and it’s easy for older kids to get the hang of quickly. Its longer playing time makes it great for rainy days spent inside. Plus, this Amazon-exclusive version makes it more interesting with planes.
A bit like Family Feud, the object of this award-winning board game is to complete the phrase shown on a card and you get points if your answer matches with other players. Ideal for a group of 3 or more, this is an easy-to-learn party game perfect for family functions.
Think Scrabble, but in a super cute, portable banana-shaped tote so you can bring it anywhere you need entertainment. Each player forms their own board by making words with the letters they pick. Bananagrams always comes along for family travel.
If older kids want to take their Uno game to the next level, consider Uno Attack. Instead of choosing cards from a pile, players test their luck to see if the machine will “attack” them with multiple cards. Batteries required.
Award-winning and fun to play, BUILDZI gives each player the same set of blocks to create the shape on the card pulled. First one to create the shape wins. There are multiple ways to play for younger kids and more advanced little builders.
Mahjong has been trending as a more and more adults are learning. But kids can have a knack for it, too. Get them started with a beginner set like this one.
This game is a classic and great for families with older children. The rules are simple enough that younger kids can play easily on a team with a parent, and since it combines luck and strategy, it’s fun for the whole family.
Best card games for kids and families
Who doesn’t love a game that’s fun to play, easy to store, and tote around for travel? These card games for kids are big hits for families and many—like Monopoly Deal and Spot It!—have licensed and themed versions available so you can choose options based on your kid’s unique interest (i.e., the new KPop Demon Hunters Monopoly Deal!).
The age recommendation says 6+, but I’ve found toddlers to be formidable opponents in this fun, fast-paced, image recognition card game. It’s great for travel or entertaining kids at restaurants, as it comes in a handy metal tin. Grab the original or any themed version like Disney, Bluey, or the NFL.
This hilarious, easy-to-play card game for kids is perfect for playdates, family game nights, and travel. My elementary schooler also tells me it’s *the* game to play during indoor recess.
Recommended for ages 7+
A cute card passing game that will test kid’s strategic and math skills, too. Added bonus, it comes in a handy travel tin to take on-the-go.
Recommended for ages 8+
Exploding Kittens not only has hilarious artwork, but it’s fast-paced and fun. It’s as much of a skill game as it is luck as players collect cards, knowing which cards to play at the right time while hoping to avoid the dreaded exploding kitten card.
Recommended for ages 7+
Families can still enjoy the fun of buying properties and making deals in this quicker-paced 15-minute version of Monopoly. Grab the original game or any number of licensed Monopoly deal games based on their interests.
Recommended for ages 8+
The irreverent fill-in-the-blank card game gets the family treatment in this game, sure to get laughs all around.
Recommended for ages 8+, as it certainly is still full of cheeky fun (and some potty humor).
Family board games intentionally left off the “best” list
From a parent’s perspective, you won’t find these board games on our list, whether they’re too loud, too messy, or require the flexibility of a young child for parents to play (i.e., Twister). Of course, if you’re looking for games kids will love to play with each other, you might still want to consider these popular games:
- Operation: For fellow overstimulated parents, I find the loud sound effects to be a little too jarring, but kids tend to love the concept.
- Jenga: I prefer the giant outside Jenga versus the tabletop one crashing down—again, overstimulation.
- Hungry Hippos: I left this one off the list due to the easy-to-lose marbles and loud, short-lived action. But, recently, Hasbro refreshed the design for easier storage and released fun, new versions like the unicorn edition and the dinosaur edition, so I might reconsider this one in the future.
- Twister: My kids love to play on their own, but I’m the spinner because I can’t bend like I used to.
- Pie Face: Kids will find this board game hilarious, but it requires whipped cream. What could go wrong?
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The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered, too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
All images in feature graphics linked within article.
