“Choosing one best family board game is a tough challenge,” says Erik Arneson, a game expert and the author of How to Host a Game Night. But as he explains, the best options are usually suitable for a range of ages, meaning younger players can easily pick up the rules, and also entertaining enough for adults. Cardner Clark, store manager of Guardian Games in Portland, Oregon, weighs in. “When I’m looking for a family game, I want something that’s both easy to learn and can be played again and again,” he says. In addition to the recommended age range, you’ll want to consider the type of game (cooperative, strategy, mystery, guessing, drawing, trivia, etc.), along with the required number of players and time commitment. With pointers from these experts in mind, we rounded up standout picks in every category. Here, the best family board games to play with your loved ones. Clark is a big fan of Ticket to Ride, and we can see why. This adventurous family board game involves collecting cards with the goal of claiming cross-country railroad routes and connecting cities throughout North America. Since there are multiple ways to score and win, players can use creativity and careful planning skills to gain the most points. “What starts as a fun puzzle of matching colors to build train routes can get cutthroat when you block someone’s path,” says Clark. The fast-paced, award-winning game can be picked up by players 8 and up in just a few minutes and encourages strategic thinking. Price at time of publish: $55 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $25 Suggested for ages 10 and up, this adventurous board game encourages older kids to use their problem-solving and strategic skills. “It comes with different challenge levels,” adds Clark. “Once you master the easy mode, that’s just the beginning!” Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $58 While it’s not recommended for younger children and takes a little while for beginners to pick up, Greg May, founder and CEO of The Uncommons board game cafe, likes the educational aspect of Catan. Price at time of publish: $60 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $20 A goofy take on the classic games of Pictionary and Telephone, it comes with over 800 words, along with drawing materials. And as Arneson points out, “No artistic skill is needed!” Price at time of publish: $30
Age Range
Before buying a family board game, make sure to check the recommended age range. “The best family games work well with a variety of ages, meaning that younger players can understand the rules and take part, while older players are not bored out of their minds,” says Arneson.
Number of Players
The other thing to consider about board games is the minimum and maximum number of players. Most games call for at least two players, though some require three or more. Additionally, some board games cap out at five players, while others can be played with anywhere from eight to 20 or more people.
Playing Time
We also recommend looking at the playing time for each board game. Some games, strategy in particular, can take upwards of 60 minutes to play. On the other hand, lots of options are much less time-consuming, taking as little as 15 minutes to complete.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance content creator specializing in consumer goods, parenting, and lifestyle. Before writing this story, she interviewed three game experts who provided specific recommendations and insight into the most important qualities of a family board game. She pored over reviews and considered the playing time, recommended age range, and number of players before making her selections, all of which are easy to learn and fun for adults and kids alike. Theresa loves board games and has played several hands of Telestrations, Sorry!, and Double Ditto over the years. She has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she covers recreation, travel, family products. Additional reporting was done by Ashley Abramson, a writer whose work has appeared in MyDomaine, the New York Times, Washington Post, Allure, InStyle, and more.
