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JHogg and I are both board game lovers, and as our kids get older we are really enjoying getting to play with them too. Family games give us time to spend together, be a little competitive and practice some important life skills like taking turns and being a good loser.
Over the years we have explored quite a range of family board games and now we have some favourites that we like to play regularly. If you are looking for a board game that the whole family can enjoy then check these out!
Table of Contents
Games For Preschool Children
Games for preschoolers can sometimes feel a bit boring, especially when you have to play them over and over again. That said – there are a few games that we enjoy to play together. These are all a great introduction into the world of family games for toddlers and preschool age children.
Orchard Toys – There are loads of Orchard Toys games to choose from, but for preschool age kids Dino-Snore-Us is our favourite. My children are able to play it independently, but they prefer it when we play all together.
BaaBaa Bubbles – We have been playing BaaBaa Bubbles for a few years now and the novelty of bubbles popping up into the air never wears off. It’s a great game for beginning basic number recognition and counting to 5.
Shake Off – If you want a fun game to shake all the sillys out, then try Shake Off. Younger kids often find it hard to sit still and play a game, but Shake Off incorporates movement so they can be up and on the go to keep them feeling engaged.
Gruffalo Dobble – Of all the “junior” versions of games, Gruffalo Dobble is probably one of my favourites. There are a few different games you can play with the cards, which means it is always kept interesting.
Pop Up Pirate – I have very fond memories of playing Pop Up Pirate as a child, and it is still a firm favourite in our house today. It’s a game of luck and there is always a lot of laughter when the pirate pops.
I have lots of ideas for educational activities for preschoolers for rainy days at home
Family Games For Kids Age 5+
With the boys getting older we making our way out of preschool games and into a different world of board games. There are lots of ideas here for kicking off your next family games night.
Cluedo Junior – The original Cluedo might be a well loved classic from your childhood, but Cluedo Junior is a great introduction to the game. You are on a mission to find out who ate the last pice of cake, with what drink and when.
Rummikub – A number strategy game from age 7+. Make patterns and beat your opponents to get rid of all your tiles first. The Rummikub Black edition comes in a luxury tin with a playing mat to make a lovely gift. It’s a great introduction to strategy games for both kids and adults.
5 Second Rule Junior – Another simplified version of a game, 5 Second Rule Jr is a fun game you can play in teams. Be the first to reach the finish line to win.
Discover The World – If you are looking to add and element of learning into your games night then Discover The World is a great place to start. Race around the world, exchange destination stats and collection destination cards as you go. But watch out – your journey might not be smooth as you battle with journey cards and arrival cards intent on slowing you down.
Get Packing – A fun travel themed game is Get Packing. Fill your suitcase and get it closed before the other players. Up to 4 players can take part. It is a relatively short game at around 15-20 minutes to complete.
Gangsta Granny ‘Stash The Swag’ – Based on the popular Gangsta Granny book, the Gangsta Granny ‘Stash The Swag’ game is a race to see who can find and hide the crown jewels without being caught by the queen. Designed for 2-4 players it is sure to be a big hit.
The Magic Oven Baking Board Game – Race around the kitchen in the Magic Oven Baking Board Game. Be careful not to drop your pie or burn it in the oven or else you’ll have to start all over again.
Do check out my ideas for Affordable Gifts For Kids and Toddlers for birthdays and Christmas presents too
Bananagrams – A fun word game that the whole family will love is Bananagrams. It is similar to scrabble in terms of building word grids, but with no board it is easy to take with you when you travel. The winner uses all their tiles in their own word grid.
It’s Bananas – While it may be suitable from 6+, It’s Bananas is a fun game that you’ll love playing without the kids around too. Total silliness as you use your tail to try and collect the hoops. It’s sure to liven up a party.
Color Addict – If you’re bored of a regular card game, then give Color Addict a try. It is a fast matching action family card game that will give you all a laugh. It is compact which makes it great for taking on holiday, or just sitting round the table after Christmas dinner. Taking around 10 minutes to play, it will get you thinking for a fun problem solving game.
Conservation Crisis – Use your funding budget to protect an endangered species in a game of Conservation Crisis. Invest tactically, beware of poachers and use a player card to track your progress. It is aimed at players to go it solo or play as a team, with up to 4 teams playing at a time.
Exploding Minions – Many of us will remember the Exploding Kittens craze from a few years ago, and now Exploding Minions has picked up the gauntlet. The game is easy to learn and quick to play. Pick up an exploding minion card and you’re out of the game. Don’t pick one from the pack and you win.
Do check out my ideas for Educational Gifts For Children which includes some board games to help with learning
The Good Life – Forget Monopoly, let your kids aspire to be self sufficient outdoors with The Good Life. Move your wheelbarrow around the board and collect and trade fruit, vegetables, pigs and chickens. Sounds simple right? Except there are green fingered cards to throw a spanner in the works, and you’ll find yourself fighting against droughts and bird flu and having to protect your chickens from foxes.
Family Games Suitable From Age 8+
We are blessed with a large extended family, and that means that even after our own children go to bed we often have older children who want to stay up and play games. These games are some of the best games for tweens to play, but that adults will enjoy too.
Dough Nab – A game about donuts – what’s not to love? Dough Nab is a donut grabbing card game for 3-6 players. You have to pay attention because one slip up will see you taking everyones cards and could cost you the game. Use all your cards and grab the donut to win and be awarded the Head Baker hat.
Kids Against Maturity – A child friendly version of Cards Against Humanity, Kids Against Maturity is hilarious and is sure to leave you all in stitches. Use the answer cards to choose the funniest answer to a question. The player who is awarded the funniest answer the most times wins the game.
Catan – Race to settle on the island of Catan. Use the resources to build your settlement before the other players. It is suitable from age 10+ and is a great way to introduce tweens to more advanced games. 3-4 player can play the base game, but there are expansions available to include more people and change the game up a bit.
Tension – A quick thinking team game, Tension will have you thinking out of the box as you try to list the 10 items on a card. It is not a quick game, it can take quite a while to work your way around the board, but it’s good for the whole family to be able to get involved.
Carcassone – Build towns and roads with Carcassonne. Use tiles to build the landscape and match pieces together. There is the option to play an easier version of the game, which is more suited to younger players, and then add in more rules and scoring options when you play in the future and have got the hang of things a bit more.
Lobster Mobster – Full of silly rules to catch you out, Lobster Mobster is fun for the whole family. There are no winners, only losers, and the game ends when the first player ends up sleeping with the fishes. It is hilarious and silly and the whole family will love it.
Foul Play – A fun family murder mystery card game is available in the form of Foul Play. You can play either the Good Cop or Bad Cop version, with different rules and tactics involved. The game is set in Edwardian England and the Lord Of The Manor is dead. Can you solve the mystery?
Ticket To Ride – We were given Ticket To Ride last Christmas and it’s already a favourite. Travel the rails as you connect cities with train tracks. Complete routes to get the most points and win the game. It’s a game of strategy and can keep you all interested for quite a long time.
Hey, That’s My Fish – Set on an iceberg, Hey, That’s My Fish! is all about having your penguin collect the most fish. Move your penguins across the iceberg, but don’t get stuck or you’ll lose your penguin. The player with the most fish at the end wins.
A Little Wordy – A fun 2 player game is A Little Wordy. Use your tiles to create a word that your opponent must guess. A wider vocabulary isn’t always beneficial, sometimes the simple words are overlooked and can win you the game.
Horrible Histories – Race through history answering questions, full of foul facts & jokes with Horrible Histories. Between 2-4 players can answer questions or perform and action, but watch out – the possible answers can be misleading.
The Upside Down Challenge Board Game – Put on the upside down glasses and get stuck into The Upside Down Challenge Board Game. The simplest tasks are suddenly incredibly hard. Even giving a high five takes a lot of thought to get right. The game is for 2-6 players, and with over 100 activities it’ll keep you laughing time and time again.
Age 12+
Playing games with little ones is great, but things change a bit once you are playing with teenagers. You no longer have to worry too much about letting them have it easy. You don’t have to keep an eye on what their strategy might be, just let them play and enjoy your own game!
What’s That Smell? – Use your nose in a silly game of What’s That Smell?. The rules are pretty simple, guess what the smell is. The winner of each round gets to nominate a player to have 3 big whiffs of the Stand Card – a foul smelly card that will make your eyes water.
Colt Express – Rob the train and gather the most loot in Colt Express. Shoot and punch the other players and try to avoid the Marshal to win the game. Fast paced and slightly complex to get started, it is well worth the effort of learning how to play.
I was gifted a copy of Horrible Histories in exchange for inclusion in this guide. All words and opinions are my own.
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