“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 Erik Arneson, a game expert and the author of How to Host a Game Night. We tested and researched the top games based on the age range, duration, number of players, and game type. Our favorite, Exploding Kittens, is easy-to-learn, travel-friendly, and exciting through every single round. Exploding Kittens has all the elements of a great family game—it’s easy to learn, competitive, and provides just the right amount of silly fun. The objective of this card game (appropriate for ages 7 and up) is to take turns drawing a card from the pile without pulling an exploding kitten, and the process continues until one player is left and crowned the winner. While it’s a luck-based game, each round is still super exciting. There are a few strategies involved, according to our tester, which can make it frustrating for young players. “The game’s creators recommend ages seven and up, but we think that depends a lot on the seven-year-old. Age, really, is less relevant than temperament,” they say. But, the simple concept and minimal reading make it fun for a variety of players, regardless of age. Contrary to the name, the game doesn’t depict or promote violence, but the themes may be inappropriate for some players. It takes a few rounds to remember what the graphic on each card represents, but overall our testers found that gameplay evoked laughter round after round. Once they get the hang of it, players of all ages will delight in this simple game of chance. Price at time of publish: $12 A silly take on the classic games of telephone and Pictionary, it comes with over 800 words, plus all the drawing materials you need. And as Arneson notes, “No artistic skill is needed!” Young ones will love the artistic element but may need a little help with some of the phrases. It’s equally fun with a group of adults on a game night or birthday party. The drawing materials may not be the highest quality, but you can always break out your own paper and markers for endless fun. Our tester loved how each game felt completely different. “This is great when you’re playing with restless kids or just trying to squeeze in a little fun before dinner is ready. We can see Telestrations being a great game for holiday gatherings because it’s so flexible,” they shared. Price at time of publish: $30 The fast-paced strategy game challenges players to build train routes across major cities in North America to distribute different resources. You can intersect and block other players to ensure yours is the strongest and longest in the game. Price at time of publish: $48 Price at time of publish: $8 Price at time of publish: $8 Price at time of publish: $22 This adventurous game encourages problem-solving and strategic skills. “Every game tends to be exciting, and it’s amazing how often they come right down to the wire,” adds Arneson. Players work together to go on a fearless mission through a forbidden island searching for four treasures. Price at time of publish: $21 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $38 Price at time of publish: $50
Age Range
Before buying a family game, be sure to check the recommended age range. The options on this list were selected because they’re fun for adults and kids alike, though some may be too challenging for younger children. That said, there are lots of excellent options for ages four or five and older that the whole family will enjoy.
Number of Players
An important option to consider is the minimum and the maximum number of players for each game. Most games need at least two players, though some call for three or more. Additionally, some cap out at five players, while others can be played with eight or more people.
Playing Time
We also recommend checking the time commitment for each game. Some board games and strategy games take upwards of an hour to play, while lots of card games involve super-quick rounds that take 15 minutes or less.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance copywriter specializing in commerce, consumer goods, parenting, and lifestyle. Before writing this roundup, she caught up with three game experts who offered specific recommendations and insight into what to look for in a family game. She pored over user reviews and combed through the recommended age range, time, and number of players for dozens of products, ultimately selecting games that were easy to learn and fun for both adults and kids. Theresa is a big fan of board games and has played several hands of Exploding Kittens and Telestrations in recent years. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, where she covers recreation, travel, and outdoor living. Additional research was done by Julia Fields a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product round-ups, expert-focused articles, and more.
