20 Family Board and Card Games
Get ready for game night family fun!
There are a lot of great family board games out there and many teach basic and complex skills that everyone can learn. While most video games are a one and two person event, family board games can be enjoyed by everyone, plus board games tend to put a focus on the family rather than on the tv or watching someone else play the game, the result is often a good family fun.
Here is a list of our favorite family board games. Some are classics games and others are new board games that have become very popular. These board games can be fun for pre-teen, teens and adults so everyone can have fun.
Below is a list of our favorite family board games and further down the page we have showcased some of the most popular versions of these games so you can find them online. Games often include standard, junior versions and special editions.
Top Family Board Games
Hasbro Monopoly Classic Game
It’s the fast-dealing property trading game where players buy, sell, dream and scheme their way to riches. This version of the Monopoly game welcomes the Rubber Ducky, Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Penguin into its family of tokens.
Or choose from hundreds of themed Monopoly versions ranging from The Simpsons to Star Wars to National Park and sports teams. Fun for ages 8 and up.
UNO
Now the classic card game of matching colors and numbers comes with customizable Wild Cards for added excitement! This is game involves a little luck, some strategy and the ability to get down to one card first! Try to rid yourself of cards before opponents do! When you have one card left shout “UNO!”
UNO has grown and now there are a multitude of UNO games like Attack and themed games too like Super Mario, Harry Potter, Minecraft and more
Recommended for ages 17 and up, play with people who are not easily offended.
Game of Life
In The Game of Life game players choose a path and move their car tokens around the gameboard from Start to Retirement. Who is headed for wealth and fortune? Pick a path for a life of action, unexpected surprises, and dream vacations, but spend cash wisely because the wealthiest player at the end wins the game.
Have fun spinning the wheel and dealing with the challenges of life.
Recommended for kids 8 yrs. and older.
Qwirkle
An engaging game with easy-to-follow rules, Qwirkle is great for younger players. The rules of the game are basic: simply build lines by matching tiles based on either color or shape, and score points for doing so. However, the ability to build complex combinations will keep children interested and engaged, and challenge them mentally.
Qwirkle is a fantastic game for families, as it can involve a wide range of ages, from children to adults. It only takes a few moments to explain
Recommended for ages 6 and up, play with up to 2-4 players
Catan – Family Edition
Begin a quest to settle the island of Catan. Guide your brave settlers to victory by using clever trading and shrewd development. Use resources-grain, wool, ore, lumber, and brick-to build roads, settlements, cities and key cultural milestones. Get resources by rolling the dice or by trading with other players. But beware. You never know when someone will block your way or if the robber will strike and steal your hard-earned goods. Are you the best trader, builder, or settler? Will you master Catan? Catan is a modern classic.
Recommended for ages 11 – 50 yrs., 3 – 4 players
Scrabble
Scrabble, the classic crossword game, is full-on fun for friends and family. You can feel the excitement begin as soon as you rack up your letters, choose a great word, and hope to land on a triple-word score.
Play the popular Scrabble game the classic way as you take on opponents head-to-head, for a challenging and fun time whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
For younger players consider Scrabble Junior.
Recommended for ages 8 yrs. and older.
Yahtzee
The classic dice game gets a sharp, high-roller look with casino-cool dice and a sleek shaker that doubles as a storage case. So, how will you roll? Will you stick with a straight, hustle for a full house, or risk it all for a 5-of-a kind Yahtzee score? Go ahead, roll with it!
An easy game for family and friends to enjoy at home or on the go.
Recommended for ages 8 yrs. and older.
Googly Eyes – Family Drawing Game
Googly Eyes is the hilarious family game that challenges your vision and leaves you googling for more! Put on the zany, vision-altering google eye glasses and start to draw while your team tries to guess what you’re drawing. Is that an igloo or a turtle? A birthday cake or a fortress? Players take turns drawing and guessing, so everyone gets a chance to wear the glasses. The glasses come with three sets of lenses that range from mild changes to mind-blowing fun.
Recommended for ages 7 yrs. and older, 4 – 16 players.
Hedbanz
The Hedbanz game comes with a stack of picture cards, each featuring an animal, food, or common object. The categories are few and simple, but this allows everyone, even young children, to get in on the family fun. And because you’ll be racing against the one-minute sand-clock timer, each round moves quickly, ramping up your energy and challenging your wit.
An easy game where players ask questions to try to guess their identity.
Recommended for ages 7 yrs. and older.
Ticket to Ride
The objective of this train board game is to see who can travel by rail to the most cities in North America in just seven days. This Ticket To Ride game can be played by two to five players. There are 225 colored train cars and players have to collect cards that allow them to use the different railway routes connecting the cities across the USA.
Entertaining game for ages 8 and older, 2-5 players.
Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is the odd card game for people into kittens, explosions, and laser beams. This game is a highly strategic version of Russian Roulette.
“Really fun game the whole family can play.”
“Disclaimer: No actual kittens were exploded during the playing of our game.”
Entertaining game for ages 7 and older, 5 players with one deck and 9 players with two decks.
Jenga
Jenga is the challenging stacking game where players remove and stack blocks until the Jenga tower comes crashing down. Jenga is a great game night / weekend game that can be played by several players and even teams.
There is the regular Jenga but there is also Giant Wooden Stacking Blocks for outdoor or indoor play.
“Competitive and challenging”
“Perfect for family, friends and all ages.”
Telestrations
Telestrations is the fun draw, guess, draw game that is hysterical as players try to figure out what is a great family and friends game that is fun and entertaining. Draw what you see then guess what you saw for hilarious and unpredictable outcomes. It’s an engaging game that can be played over and over with many different ages and types of groups/gatherings.
“By far the most popular party game when we have a game night.”
“Simple and provides hours of hilarious fun.”
For Ages 12 and older, for up to 12 players.
Blokus Strategy Game
Gather the family around the game table for this easy-to-learn favorite. The 30-minute playing time is perfect for short attention spans and can also be repeated for an entire evening of fun. Blokus is the fast-paced strategy game that delivers “One Rule, Endless Possibilities!”
Blokus is great for 2-4 people (it’s more challenging with 3-4 people since the more pieces on the board the more difficult it is to get all your pieces to fit.)
For ages 7 yrs. and older.
Apples to Apples
Apples to Apples is a great family and friends game that is fun and entertaining. A fast paced and fun get to know/ how well do you know each other. There is also and Apples to Apples Junior.
“This is a very fun game for a big mix of age groups.”
For Ages 12 and older, for up to 8 players.
Establish teams and get ready for a challenge as you sculpt, act, answer, spell and faces a variety of challenges. With over 30 categories and several game variations cranium offers fun for everyone. So much fun and entertaining challenges.
“Great fun game to play, communicate and use critical thinking skills that most games do not make you use.”
“Keeps the family entertained, a must have for rainy days.”
Recommended for 16 years and older, play as individuals or teams so works for up to 12 people.
From the makers of UNO comes a rummy-type card game with a challenging and exciting twist! The object of the game is to be the first player to complete 10 varied Phases-two sets of three, one run of seven, seven cards of one color and more. The twist is that each Phase to be completed is specific for each hand dealt. Those who complete the Phase advance to the next, but those that don’t must try again. For 2 to 6 players.
Recommended for ages 7 and over.
Slide, collide and score to win the game of Sorry! Draw cards to see how far you get to move one of your pawns on the board. If you land on a Slide you can zip to the end and bump your opponents’ pawns – or your own! Jump over pawns and hide in your Safety zone while getting powers with the 2 power-up tokens. Keep on moving and bumping until you get all three of your pawns from your color Start to your color Home.
Recommended for ages 6 and over.
The classic quick draw game where you must draw quickly and have your teammates guess what you are drawing. The best part is you don’t have to be an artist, you just have to do your best. Now includes two erasable markers, erasable boards for drawing, and an updated Pop Culture category of clues.
“Good family night game.”
“We use the Pictionary cards for charades too!”
Ages 8 and up, can play with 3 to 12 people.
Cashflow for Kids
In order to survive and escape this rat race we all need to be equipped with the right skills, knowledge and attitude. There are different types of skills that we need to learn and one important skill is managing your finances. It is a reality that in order to survive and be able to afford the basic needs one must be financially stable. It is not merely enough to get a job, earn a salary, pay your debts and bills and save what is left. As finance guru Robert Kiyosaki emphasizes in his popular book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, you have to make your money work for you!
You and your children can learn the fundamentals of the books lesson through CASHFLOW for kids. It is never too early to teach your kids to be financially literate. They will learn among other things that Assets is putting money into your pocket while Liabilities is taking the money out of your pocket. They will learn financial intelligence in a very fun and interactive way. Parents can spend quality time with their children while both learning to spend their money wisely.
For Ages 6 and up.
Board games and family activities provide a break from phones, game systems and computers, while providing fun, laughter and face to face interaction. Our featured board games like Monopoly, Telestrations, and Hedbanz provide a variety of unique challenges and help teach valuable social skills.
If you are still looking for a game or activity for your family game night consider search Party Game Ideas for a variety of charades, taboo like games, bingo and even a family conversation starter game. These printable games can easily be purchased and ready to play in minutes.
We hope you and your family have enjoyed our Top 20 Board Games for Families post and that you are planning your next family game night. These simple moments of family togetherness often become the fond memories we reflect on as we get older, so don’t miss a change to roll the dice, act out a charade, draw a clue and spin the wheel for victory.
Party Game Ideas may receive compensation if featured items are purchased from linked web sites.