Open Up a Box of Family Fun—Here Are the 30 Best Board Games for Kids
The love of board games spans generations. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of baby boomers enjoy playing board games, while 76 percent of millennials also love playing. So, if we're trying to share our passion with a younger generation, it's no wonder people are wondering about the best board games for kids.
Why do we love board games so much? Many games are excellent for the entire family on so many levels. First, most board games help children work on critical skills. From dexterity to counting, and incorporating colors and shapes, kids develop abilities and improve executive function in entertaining ways. Board games can also help kids learn how to handle healthy competition. They understand the value of being a gracious winner and learn how to handle disappointment when the game doesn’t go their way. Finally, board games can bring the family together. The games provide the perfect opportunity to interact without the interference of screens.
We’re sharing a list of 30 board games that have a number of these benefits. Whether it’s games of strategy or memory, or even familiar classics, these games are sure to quickly become some of the most played in your home.
Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
iStock
30 Best Board Games for Kids
1. Candy Land
A game that’s as sweet as its name, adults and kids alike will love Candy Land. Instructions on cards help you advance to colors, in a quest to be the first to make it to the end. It’s easy to follow, and intriguing to see what card each person will pick up. The game is made for two to four players, and kids as young as 3 can take part.
2. Exit: The Game
Escape rooms are so much fun. Why not bring the escape room home to you? It takes cooperation and skill to achieve the ultimate win and exit the game. One to four players will enjoy this game, for ages 12 and older.
3. First Orchard
First Orchard is a great first board game. Designed for ages 2 and up, the game promotes cooperation with taking turns, and emphasizes color skills and recognition. Up to four players can help to get all the fruit harvested before the raven makes it to the orchard.
4. Guess Who?
There’s not much kids love more than a good guessing game. Guess Who? is the ultimate in this category, letting kids use yes or no questions to figure out each mystery character. The game is for two players, ages 6 and up.
5. Let’s Go Fishin’
This action game is sure to get kids excited, as they use their poles to pick up the fish. It’s simple, easy fun for one to four players, ages 4 and older.
6. Life
Be a winner at the game of Life. Kids learn a little bit about the realities of life in this fun race to the end. Between jobs, schooling and even some of the setbacks of life, kids get a little dose of reality mixed in with a whole lot of fun. Up to four players ages 8 and up can join in.
7. Operation
Play alone or with a friend. The game of Operation is one of skill and a steady hand. Removing the correct body parts helps put you on a path to winning. Operation is for ages 6 and up.
8. Pictureka
Kids will love finding their favorite characters in this game. The first to locate the item, or do it in the appropriate amount of time, is on the path to collecting the most cards to win. Pictureka is for two or more players, ages 6 and older.
9. Scrabble
This classic will definitely get the mental juices flowing. Players have to not only build words but keep from opening up spaces with more points for their opponents. Ages 8 and up will enjoy making words out of the letter tiles they pick. It’s for ages 8 and up.
Related: 55 Fun Things To Do With Grandkids—Indoor, Outdoor and Sleepover Activities
Best Travel Board Games for Kids
10. Chess and Checkers Set
Chess and checkers are classic board games, and what could be more fun than taking them on the road! This magnetic set gives you options for both games to play, while offering the appeal of helping to keep small pieces from getting lost. Plus there’s also backgammon for a little extra fun. It’s for two players and offers fun for kids as young as 6.
11. Connect 4
In a handy small-sized box that’s easy for travel, this compact game is sure to be a summer hit. Connect 4 involves a bit of strategy, as you try to get four of your pieces in a row, while preventing your opponent from doing the same. Two players can enjoy hours of fun. It’s for ages 6 and up.
12. Monopoly
A takeoff of the classic game, this version of Monopoly does still offer property that you can buy and cards of chance that you can choose, as you work to amass the biggest fortune. This travel version of the original Monopoly game takes less time and it's a handy travel size. Ages 8 and older will enjoy this travel game for up to 4 players.
13. Snakes and Ladders
Complete with a carrying case and magnetic pieces, this game of fun is recommended for kids ages 4 and older. Rolling the dice helps set kids on their next adventure. They move around the board and try to avoid the snakes in their quest to make it to the end. This classic game is for two to four players.
Memory Board Games for Kids
14. Clue
This classic whodunit needs players to remember who has been accused of committing the murder, where, and using what weapon. Recalling those facts helps each player get one step closer to figuring out the truth. Two to six players ages 8 and up can get in on the fun.
15. Magic Labyrinth
Kids will need sharp memory skills to find objects as they make their way through a maze. Remembering the walls and the layout of the maze will put them on the path to success. The game is for two to four players, ages 6 and up.
16. Memory Match Game
Colorful pictures, easy-to-handle cards to flip, and a mental workout all make the Memory Match Game fun for all ages. Even toddlers can get in on the action since the game is made for ages 3 and up. Though ideal for up to four players, you can grab a few friends that want to join in the fun.
17. Financial Literacy Memory Match
Looking to slip in a little education with a whole lot of fun? This game has both. Children starting at age 5 can begin learning valuable facts about financial literacy; the more you learn, the closer you are to winning. A child can play alone, or a small group can start learning about stocks, bonds and savings.
Related: 50 of the Best Family Board Games That'll Kick Your Game Night (Or Day) Into High Gear
Strategy Board Games for Kids
18. Blokus
This game of skill is easy to learn. Players place their colored blocks on the board, and “block” other players from using all of their blocks. The one with the fewest blocks at the end wins. The game is for ages 7 and older. Two to four players can play.
19. Ice Cool 2
Kids get to flick and spin penguin characters as they strategize to try to hit a target. It’s called a dexterity game that gives kids a fun way to work on those skills. Two to eight players, ages 6 and older, will enjoy this challenge.
20. Kingdomino
This game is a unique take on dominoes that allows you to build your own kingdom, by matching game-play cards with the right terrain. The game is for ages 8 and up, and two to four players can play.
21. Max
A game of strategy and decision-making, Max fosters cooperation by having players work together to rescue animals before they can be seized by Max the Tomcat. Kids ages 4 and up will get a kick out of figuring the best way to keep creatures safe. Up to eight players can match wits to make it a true group effort.
22. Ticket to Ride
For ages 8 and older, this is a board game the entire family can enjoy. The strategy comes in as players embark on a cross-country adventure, building tracks to connect cities and train routes. With longer routes, players earn more points. Up to five people can play together.
23. Upwords
A great spin on a classic word-building board game, Upwords causes players to think strategically in making their words out of larger-sized tiles. Those tiles are stacked on others, allowing you to build words in more than one direction. It’s a game of fun and skill, for ages 8 and older, and up to four players.
Related: First Word: Fun—We’ve Got the 250 Best Charades Ideas to Liven up Your Evenings
Classic Board Games for Kids
24. Chutes and Ladders
This classic never gets old. Players spin and move their pawns up and down the ladders, in a quest to be the first to reach the top. Kids will also get to practice numbers and counting. Two to four players, ages 3 and up, can join in the fun.
25. Hungry Hungry Hippos
This game has been around for ages and still brings fun to kids and adults alike. Players get their colorful hippos moving to gobble as many of the small balls as possible. Kids as young as 4 can get in on the fun. Two to four people can play.
26. Jenga
Players need a quick and steady hand to successfully remove blocks from the Jenga tower. The one who causes the tower to fall loses it all. You can play alone and challenge yourself or gather others and enjoy the competition. Jenga is for ages 6 and older.
27. Mousetrap
Ages 6 and up can get in on this classic board game. The goal is to get your mouse to safety before getting “trapped.” Around for ages, the game allows four people to play.
28. Sorry
Dubbing itself “The Classic Game of Sweet Revenge,” this game lets ages 6 and up get in on the fun. Be the first one to get all your pieces home to win, while also trying to keep your opponents from doing the same. Sorry is for two to four players.
29. Trouble
With its Pop-O-Matic to roll the dice, and advance your piece on pegs, Trouble is a fun game of sound and sight for kids and adults. Two to four players ages 5 and older can get in on the game. You can play Trouble the classic way or give it a try with power-up spaces.
30. Twister
When you want a board game where you’re all in, Twister fits the bill. Each person will twist, turn and contort in fun and laughter. Two or more players ages 6 and up will take turns spinning to see where their hands and feet will land.
