Give the gift of time together — choose a favorite from this family board game gift guide. These games make thoughtful presents and will be pulled out and played all year long.
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I come from a family of game lovers—my mom is the game queen, and I grew up playing around the table with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Now, whenever our family gathers, we inevitably reach for a game. Favorites in our rotation include Ticket to Ride, Telestrations, and Say Anything. Below are great options for families of all sizes and ages.
Happy playing!
- Telestrations: A hilarious, family-friendly drawing game that plays like a visual telephone. Players alternate between sketching and guessing, and the unexpected outcomes are what make it so funny. It’s ideal for large groups and generates laughs even if your drawing skills are limited.
- Say Anything: A simple and social party game where a prompt is read aloud, everyone writes an answer, and the reader picks their favorite. It encourages creativity, gets everyone talking, and often reveals funny or heartfelt opinions—great for mixed-age family gatherings.
- Apples to Apples and Apples to Apples Jr.: Easy to learn and perfect for multiple ages, these games are classic pick-and-match party games that help players practice reading and quick thinking. They’re a reliable choice for family nights and large get-togethers.
- Jenga: A timeless dexterity game that blends steady hands, nerve, and strategy. Because it’s compact and quick to play, Jenga is great for all ages and keeps everyone on edge until the tower falls.
- Ticket to Ride: A fantastic gateway strategy game for families. Players collect and play train cards to claim routes and complete destination tickets. It’s strategic without being overwhelming, making it a hit with both kids and adults. For younger players, consider Ticket to Ride: First Journey, which simplifies the rules for children.
- Playing Cards: A must-have staple. A single deck opens up countless options—Go Fish, War, Rummy, Blackjack, Spades, and more—perfect for travel, vacations, and evenings when you want quick, flexible fun.
- Sequence: A blend of card play and board strategy that works well for both individual players and teams. It’s simple to learn but offers room for strategic thinking, making it a family favorite.
- HedBanz: Players wear headbands with a card they can’t see and ask yes/no questions to guess what’s on their head. It’s fast-paced, silly, and accessible for very young children—great for introducing toddlers to group play.
- Catan: Best for older kids (around 10+), Catan is a deeper strategy game focused on resource trading, expansion, and negotiation. It rewards planning and interaction, making it a favorite for families who enjoy longer, more strategic sessions.
- Watch Ya’ Mouth: A laugh-out-loud party game where players wear mouth guards and attempt to say phrases while teammates guess. Expect lots of laughter and goofy moments—great for parties and large family nights.
- Monopoly: The classic property-trading board game. For young children, Monopoly Junior teaches the basics with simpler rules. There are also many themed editions available for fans of popular franchises.
- Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza: A high-energy card game that’s easy to teach and plays quickly. It’s ideal for elementary and middle-school kids and provides plenty of fast-paced excitement.
- Unstable Unicorns: A strategic card game where players build a unicorn army while sabotaging opponents. It’s competitive, playful, and offers lots of interaction—best for kids who enjoy strategy and light conflict mechanics.
- Candy Land: A perfect introduction to board games for preschoolers. Simple rules, bright colors, and short playtime make it ideal for little hands and early game nights.
- Exploding Kittens: A quick card game with a humorous twist on elimination mechanics. It’s easy to learn, fast to play, and a hit with kids and teens. Younger players may need a little help with the rules.
- Sneaky Snacky Squirrel: A charming, toddler-friendly game that teaches color matching, sorting, and fine motor skills. It’s a gentle, cooperative option for introducing very young children to turn-taking.
- Uno: A classic card game that’s simple to learn and endlessly replayable. Great as a starter card game for kids and families. For a twist, try Uno Attack, which adds an unpredictable launcher element.
- Phase 10 and Skip-Bo: Both are great card games for groups and travel. Phase 10 offers progressive “phases” to complete, while Skip-Bo focuses on building ascending stacks—both are portable and entertaining for vacations or camping trips.
- Zingo: A Bingo-style matching game designed for toddlers and preschoolers. It helps with vocabulary and quick recognition while keeping playtime short and fun.
- Memory: A straightforward matching game that strengthens concentration and recall. It’s an excellent choice for very young children and comes in many licensed themes to appeal to little fans.
- Sleeping Queens: A fast, whimsical card game that’s especially good for elementary-aged children. It’s quick to teach, typically plays in under 20 minutes, and was a quarantine favorite in our household for shorter game sessions.
What is YOUR favorite family game to play? Share your picks in the comments below—I’m always looking for new recommendations to add to our family nights!
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