It’s important to take breaks from screens now and then. While the great outdoors offers plenty of activities, there are times when you’re stuck indoors. In those moments, board games provide a fun way to bring everyone together for some group escapism.
My family has been hosting a weekly board game night for several years, and we’ve discovered some fantastic games along the way. Here are our top picks, chosen with the help of my two kids, now aged 12 and 15. We’ve excluded well-known classics like Clue, Monopoly, Connect 4, Scrabble, Operation, Chutes and Ladders, Battleship, Jenga, Guess Who, Pictionary, and Risk.
A Simple Starter
Labyrinth
Labyrinth was one of the first board games we played together as a family, and its simplicity makes it easy for anyone to pick up. The game board is a maze, and your goal is to collect treasures based on the cards you’re dealt. The most enjoyable aspect of this game, designed by a German psychologist, is the ability to alter the maze by sliding one tile onto the board and pushing another off with each turn. You can carve out a path for yourself while also strategizing ways to block your opponents.
For 2 to 4 players aged 7 and up. Playing time is around 30 minutes.
Best for Two People
Onitama
Onitama combines martial arts themes, accessible gameplay, deep strategy, and random elements for endless replayability—it’s got it all! We were immediately captivated by this clever two-player strategy game, where each side controls a master and four pawns, aiming to defeat the opposing master or occupy their temple. While it seems straightforward at first, the challenge intensifies as you learn to anticipate your opponent’s moves by studying the martial arts styles shown on their cards. It’s also excellent training for aspiring chess players, as it encourages forward thinking.
For 2 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is 15 to 20 minutes.
Trade and Build
Catan
Previously known as Settlers of Catan, this addictive strategy game tasks you with gathering and trading resources to build and settle a randomly generated board of hexagonal tiles. Achieving victory by dominating the map requires a mix of strategy and a bit of luck with the dice. My eldest (13) is particularly fond of this game, especially the trading aspect and the robber mechanic, which lets you steal cards from opponents and block their resources (though it can lead to some disputes). It plays well with three or four players, is easy to learn, and typically takes about an hour to complete. With plenty of replay value and a variety of expansions, Catan keeps things interesting. For younger players, a junior version of Catan is available for kids starting in kindergarten. If you’ve played Catan extensively like we have, consider trying Catan: New Energies for a fresh twist.
For 3 to 4 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 60 minutes.
Cooperative Cards
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
This clever card game offers a cooperative trick-taking challenge for three to five players with loads of replay value. In The Crew, each game is an underwater mission accompanied by a brief background story, with difficulty and complexity increasing as you progress. To succeed, you must complete a series of tasks, relying on teamwork—though you’re not allowed to discuss the cards in your hand. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and incredibly addictive.
For 2 to 5 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 20 minutes.
For Working Together
Pandemic
Playing Pandemic might feel a bit unusual after recent events, but the game’s cooperative nature is its true charm. Each player takes on a specific role, working together to eliminate four deadly diseases before time runs out. The game is often thrilling, fostering communication and group strategy. Success hinges on making the most of each player’s unique abilities, and you can wrap up a game in under an hour. If your family enjoys it, there are also some in-depth expansions available.
For 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is around 45 minutes.
For Detectives
MicroMacro: Crime City
MicroMacro: Crime City is a refreshing and unique cooperative game for up to four players, though it also works well as a solo experience. To play, you’ll need plenty of space to spread out the city map as you use a magnifying glass to search for suspects and clues. The game combines a Where’s Waldo-style hunt with loose narratives that guide you through each crime scene, allowing you to unravel the mystery step by step. Discussing theories with others is a big part of the fun, and solving a case can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. While younger kids might enjoy it, the game is recommended for ages 12 and up due to some cases involving mature themes. Although replay value is limited, the sequel, MicroMacro: Crime City—Full House, offers new cases on a fresh map.
For 1 to 4 players aged 12 and up. Playing time is around 30 minutes.
Schrödinger’s Cat
Cat in the Box Deluxe Edition
If you believe you’ve experienced all that a trick-taking card game can offer, Cat in the Box will make you rethink that. The game features several unique mechanics, such as bidding on the number of tricks you expect to win before play starts. What sets it apart is the need to choose the color of your cards as well. It might seem complex at first, but younger kids familiar with card games will find it accessible due to its well-designed, clear mechanics. Plus, the cat theme is always a hit in our household.
For 2 to 5 players aged 13 and up. Playing time is around 30 minutes.
For Bird-Watchers
Wingspan
This game represents the pinnacle of nature-themed board games and will charm anyone who adores birds. It combines genuine knowledge about various bird species, their needs, habitats, and abilities with a rich layer of strategic depth. While it may seem complex at first and younger kids might find it challenging, you’ll become more comfortable with it after a few sessions. Once you’re familiar with the rules, it becomes highly engaging and is enjoyable with different numbers of players, including solo play.
For 1 to 5 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is 40 to 70 minutes.
For Cat-Lovers
The Isle of Cats
With its stunning design and one-of-a-kind gameplay, Isle of Cats is an immediate favorite for cat lovers like my daughter. The goal is to rescue cats and arrange them on your boat in a Tetris-like fashion to escape the island before the antagonist arrives. You need fish to lure the cats aboard, and numerous cards introduce additional layers of strategy. While it may seem complex at first, it becomes clearer after a few rounds. We preferred the full game over the simplified version, though the scoring can be quite intricate, so be prepared to spend a few hours playing.
For 1 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is 60 to 90 minutes.
Push Your Luck
Port Royal
In this game, as merchants striving to establish influence in the Caribbean, you’ll need to build a fortune, recruit a crew, complete expeditions, and capture ships. The base game features a 120-card deck with beautiful artwork and is easy to learn. The main appeal lies in the gamble of when to stop drawing cards; push your luck too far, and you might lose that round. The variety of cards allows for multiple strategies, making it accessible for kids around 7 or 8 years old. It accommodates 2 to 5 players (we found it ideal for four), with games typically lasting under an hour. If you enjoy the base game, there are several expansion packs available.
For 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is 20 to 50 minutes.
For Budding Strategists
Kingdomino
In this quick and easy game, you build a 5 x 5 tile kingdom around your castle using randomly drawn tiles that connect like dominoes. Each piece of matching terrain earns you points, which are multiplied by the crowns on the tiles you select. It’s simple enough for younger kids to understand but also allows for strategic play. You can play with up to four players, but we find it works best with two.
For 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is around 15 minutes.
For Captains of Industry
Big Boss
With its charming 1920s art deco style, Big Boss challenges you to conquer the business world by founding and expanding companies, accumulating shares, and managing mergers and acquisitions. It combines luck and skill in a way that’s more enjoyable than it might seem. The game features a board with numbered tiles and a stack of plastic building blocks that fit together to create skyscrapers as you expand. Cards dictate where to build or expand, and when companies overlap, the smaller one is acquired, making mergers a key strategic element. A surprising favorite with my kids, Big Boss offers various strategies, and the winner often remains uncertain until shares are cashed in.
For 2 to 6 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 90 minutes.
Cute, Dangerous Cats
Exploding Kittens
This deceptively simple card game is easy to learn but offers deep strategy as you aim to avoid exploding kitten cards. It blends enjoyable elements from classic card games like Old Maid with a contemporary twist. The game strikes a perfect balance with enough complexity to keep it engaging, yet not so much that it becomes confusing. The card art showcases a variety of cute (and not so cute) cats with special powers that can turn the tide against your opponents. When the game starts to feel stale, the expansions do a fantastic job of reinvigorating it.
For 2 to 5 players aged 7 and up. Playing time is around 15 minutes.
All Aboard
Ticket to Ride
With its charming steam engine theme and rules that even young kids can grasp quickly, Ticket to Ride is a fantastic gateway to more complex board games. Published by the renowned Days of Wonder, the goal is to claim various railway routes across the US and Canada using your colorful plastic rail cars. You use cards to claim routes and earn bonus points for connecting specific destinations. The European edition introduces ferries and tunnels, and there are numerous expansions available. The only drawback is that my wife always wins. (There’s also a version called First Journey that simplifies and shortens the gameplay for younger kids.)
For 2 to 5 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is 30 to 60 minutes.
For Big Bluffers
The Chameleon
A topic card features 16 words, and a dice roll selects the word for the round. One player draws the Chameleon card and must avoid detection, but they don’t know which word was chosen. Each player then says a related word, and everyone votes to try and unmask the bluffer. This quick and easy party game accommodates up to eight players and always gets our kids laughing with delight. Although it’s playable with three, it’s best with more players (six or seven is ideal). Some topics might be challenging for younger kids, but you can create your own topic cards.
For 3 to 8 players aged 14 and up. Playing time is around 15 minutes.
Ask Your Questions
Hedbanz
My kids find this game absolutely hilarious, and we played it frequently when they were younger. The concept is straightforward: other players choose a card and place it in your headband facing outward, so you can’t see it. You then have a limited time to ask questions and guess who or what you are. We used to play a similar adult version in college by writing on cigarette papers and sticking them to each other’s heads, but this version is entirely family-friendly.
For 2 to 6 players aged 7 and up. Playing time is around 30 minutes.
Murder Mystery
Awkward Guests
If you’ve played Clue to death and are looking for a more challenging murder mystery game, give Awkward Guests a try. Your goal is to solve the murder of the unpleasant Mr. Walton by determining who killed him, where it happened, what was used, and if there was an accomplice. This game adds more depth to the classic deductive formula, as you need to collect and trade clues. The exchange of information requires a strategic balance between gathering knowledge and concealing important clues from your opponents. It’s recommended for kids aged 12 and up, though some younger children may also enjoy it.
For 1 to 8 players aged 12 and up. Playing time is 45 to 75 minutes.
Monster Mash
Horrified
Can you save the town from iconic movie monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, and the Bride of Frankenstein? This game challenges up to five players to face a rotating lineup of monsters. Each villain has unique behaviors and can only be defeated through teamwork. With its high replay value, you’ll need to devise the best strategies to save the town, the villagers, and yourselves. The cooperative nature of the game can also help prevent arguments during family board game nights. If you enjoy Horrified, you might also want to try Horrified: American Monsters and Alien: Fate of the Nostromo, though both may be a bit too intense for younger kids.
For 1 to 5 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 60 minutes.
Sketch and Laugh
Telestrations
Drawing inspiration from the classic Telephone game, Telestrations challenges players to sketch words or phrases and guess what others have drawn as erasable books are passed around the table. By the time the books return to their original owner, the initial words have often transformed into something completely unexpected. This party game engages everyone and reviewing the sketchbooks to see the transformation is often hilarious. Recommended for four to eight players aged 12 and up, it works best with at least six players, and our 9-year-old daughter had a blast with it.
For 4 to 8 players aged 12 and up. Playing time is around 30 minutes.
Soothing Patterns
Everyone enjoys the vibrant, decorative tiles in this game, inspired by the Moorish designs of the Alhambra palace in Southern Spain. The objective is to decorate the royal palace for the King of Portugal. In each round, you select tiles from central discs and place them on your game board, aiming to create patterns and sets that earn points. The description hardly captures its charm—you need to play it to understand why it’s so captivating. Like many great games, it’s easy to learn but offers substantial strategic depth.
For 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is 30 to 45 minutes.
Wonderful Wildlife
Cascadia
Kids are fascinated by animals, and this wildlife adventure set in the Pacific Northwest involves laying terrain tiles and populating habitats with wildlife tokens. You match habitat tiles to create contiguous areas like wetlands or forests, and work towards wildlife goals such as gathering runs of salmon or pairs of bears. Special nature tokens add extra strategic elements. This gentle game is designed for one to four players aged 10 and up, but younger kids who understand the rules can also enjoy playing.
For 1 to 4 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 45 minutes.
Dungeon Looting
Clank! Catacombs
For 2 to 4 players aged 13 and up. Playing time is 45 to 90 minutes.
For Good Laughs
Articulate
Articulate’s core challenge is describing words to your team without using the exact word, its first letter, or rhyming. There’s a kid’s version available, and we mix its cards with those from the original game to adjust the difficulty for both adults and children. This fast-paced and lively game often sparks laughter, though it can also lead to some frustration and the occasional exasperated sigh. It’s ideal for large groups, as you can split into teams and take turns with the descriptions.
For 4 to 20+ players aged 12 and up. Playing time is around 60 minutes.
Movie Magic
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Light Years From Home Game
This cooperative game for two to four players stands out as one of the best movie tie-ins we’ve ever experienced. Game designer Prospero Hall clearly has great respect for the source material. E.T. is perfectly suited for cooperative play, with players assuming the roles of Elliot, Gertie, Mike, or Greg to transport E.T. on their BMX bikes and protect him from the authorities until the mothership arrives. The game features solid mechanics, a well-balanced challenge, and just the right touch of movie magic, making for an enjoyable hour of family fun.
For 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 45 minutes.
Card Combos
Sushi Go Party!
Collect adorable sushi cards to match the menu and score points in this easy-to-learn card game. On each turn, you choose a card to build a delicious meal and pass the remaining cards to the next player. The game is engaging and straightforward, yet offers a variety of strategic options. You can customize it for your group by changing the menu, which adds significant replay value. It accommodates two to eight players, but four is the ideal number. The only drawback is that it will leave you craving sushi.
For 2 to 8 players aged 8 and up. Playing time is around 20 minutes.
For Logophiles
League of the Lexicon
Anyone with an interest in linguistics, slang, grammar, or etymology will enjoy this exquisitely designed trivia game. Players roll a wooden die to determine the category and win an artifact if they answer correctly. League of Lexicon features a range of questions from extremely challenging to surprisingly easy, with full answers offering educational insights. Developed by a team of linguists, authors, and lexicographers, the game includes 2,000 multiple-choice questions divided into ticklish and tricksy categories. We’ve been playing this as a family of four, with the kids tackling the easier questions, but it also works well in teams. It’s recommended for children aged 10 and up, though vocabulary level is more crucial than age.
For 2 to 6 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is 30 to 90 minutes.
Happy Landings
Sky Team
Budding pilots and navigators will enjoy this two-player cooperative game, which challenges you to land your plane at various airports. Plan your strategy before each round, as communication is off-limits once you’re in the air. With secret dice rolls and turn-based gameplay, you’ll need to cooperate closely to manage air traffic, keep the plane steady, prepare the flaps and landing gear, and land safely. It’s a unique co-op experience for two players, and although the game is recommended for ages 14 and up, my 12-year-old daughter loves it.
For 2 players aged 14 and up. Playing time is around 20 minutes.
For Chaotic Action
Throw Throw Burrito
This lively party game is a huge hit with groups of kids, though it’s best played outdoors or in a spacious room free of fragile items. The card game involves racing to find sets of three and passing along unwanted cards, but some combinations lead to ‘attacks,’ where everyone scrambles for the squishy toy burritos in the center of the table and hurls them at each other.
For 2 to 6 players aged 7 and up. Playing time is around 15 minutes.
For Large Groups
Herd Mentality
Herd Mentality is a fantastic party game for up to 20 players where the goal is to match your answers with those of others. Questions like ‘What’s the best pizza topping?’ or ‘Would you rather have robot arms or robot legs?’ spark lively debates and laughter. If your answer aligns with the majority, you earn a cow token. The first player to collect eight cows wins. It’s easy to play, fast-paced, and perfect for larger family gatherings.
For 4 to 20 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 30 minutes.
For Ghost Hunters
Mysterium
This game has a touch of spookiness and blends elements of Clue with more immersive role-playing experiences. Set during a séance in 1920s Scotland, players assume the roles of mediums, while one player acts as the ghost. The psychics collaborate to decipher vision cards from the ghost to solve the mystery of who committed the murder, where it happened, and what weapon was used, all before dawn. It’s ideal if an adult or older child takes on the ghost role, and though there’s a fair amount of setup, the game becomes captivating once underway.
For 2 to 7 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 45 minutes.
Formula Fun
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
While this game offers an extra appeal for Grand Prix enthusiasts, you don’t need to be a racing fan to enjoy it. It captures the thrill of a real race as you play cards to move forward while managing your engine heat. Momentum is key, and you’ll face many strategic choices as you build a deck to improve your chances of winning. Most players will need a few rounds to get comfortable, but the clever slipstreaming mechanic keeps the game competitive. The Championship mode adds excitement with a series of races and opportunities to upgrade your car.
For 1 to 6 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is around 60 minutes.
Dark Side
Star Wars Villainous
We tried Disney Villainous a few times but didn’t find it engaging, so I wasn’t expecting Star Wars Villainous to capture our interest. However, this beautifully themed board game surpassed our expectations. Each player takes on the role of a different Star Wars villain, from Darth Vader to Moff Gideon. Like other games in the Villainous series, each character has distinct victory conditions, and players have chances to interfere with each other’s plans. It can take a few games to fully grasp, and it’s ideal for four players aged 10 and up.
For 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up. Playing time is 40 to 80 minutes.
